Mongolian Chicken Recipe

 Mongolian Chicken is a delicious and flavorful dish inspired by the popular Mongolian Beef, commonly found in Chinese restaurants.  This version uses chicken but can also be made with tofu as a vegan alternative. Adding vegetables enhances the dish, making it even more nutritious.  This Mongolian Chicken has bold flavors and a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy notes. Enjoy your homemade takeout favorite!

Ingredients:

Ingredients For the Chicken:

• 1/2 lb chicken thighs or chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 egg white
• 1 tbsp cooking wine (Shao Xing wine)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oil

Ingredients For the Mongolian Sauce:

• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 1 tbsp chicken powder
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp chili flakes
• 1/2 cup water

Other Ingredients:

• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, minced
• 1/2 cup white onions, cut into cubes
• 3 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces (white and green parts separated)
• 1/2 cup bell pepper, cut into cubes (optional)

Directions:

1.    Marinating the Chicken:

·         Combine the chicken with cornstarch, egg white, cooking wine, salt, soy sauce, and oil in a bowl.  Mix well and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.

2.    Cooking the Chicken:

·         Heat oil in a pan or wok over high heat until hot.

·         Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and fry until golden brown and crispy on both sides.

·         Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

3.    Preparing the Sauce:

·         In a bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients until well combined.

4.    Stir-Frying the Aromatics:

·         In the same pan, add a little oil, if needed.

·         Stir-fry the garlic, ginger, white onions, and the white parts of the green onions until fragrant.

·         If using bell peppers, add them now and stir-fry for another minute.

5.    Combining Everything:

·         Pour the sauce into the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes to blend the flavors.

·         Return the cooked chicken to the pan and stir well to coat it evenly with the sauce.

·         Add the green parts of the onions and toss everything together.

6.    Serving & Enjoying:

·         Garnish with extra green onions or sesame seeds, if desired.

·         Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

 Tip:

For vegans, replace the chicken with firm tofu