Description
This Spicy Honey Ginger Mongolian Chicken is a flavorful, crispy dish featuring tender chicken thighs coated in a sweet and spicy sauce made with honey, fresh ginger, garlic, and soy sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it combines Asian-inspired flavors with a satisfying crispy texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
Aromatics
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Garnish
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a large bowl, toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch until evenly coated. This coating is essential to achieving a crispy texture when cooked.
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet or wok, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the coated chicken pieces in a single layer (working in batches if necessary) and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté Aromatics: Using the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. When hot, add the sliced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Then add the minced garlic and grated ginger, sautéing for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Create the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, and red pepper flakes. Pour this sauce mixture into the skillet with the sautéed aromatics and stir well to combine all flavors.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir thoroughly to ensure each piece is coated in the sauce. Let it simmer over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until the chicken is heated through and the sauce slightly thickens.
- Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve immediately over steamed rice or with noodles to enjoy the rich sauce.
Notes
- Adjust the quantity of red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
- For extra crispiness, cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the skillet.
- Substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast if preferred, but thighs retain more moisture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently to preserve the sauce’s texture.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: Mongolian chicken, spicy chicken recipe, honey ginger chicken, Asian chicken dish, crispy chicken, stir-fry
