There’s something so comforting about the sweet and savory glaze on tender chicken in this Easy Mongolian Chicken Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that manages to be both uncomplicated and impressive, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual get-togethers.

A black cast iron skillet filled with small, golden-brown chicken pieces cooked in a shiny, dark brown sauce with a slightly sticky texture, topped with white sesame seeds and bright green chopped scallions scattered evenly on top and between the chicken pieces; a wooden spoon resting inside the skillet holds some chicken, showing the sauce’s glossy surface underneath. The skillet is placed on a white marbled surface with a gray cloth slightly visible in the background, and a small white bowl with sesame seeds sits nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Mongolian Chicken Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Mongolian Chicken Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Mongolian Chicken Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Easy Mongolian Chicken Recipe countless times, and each time it feels like a little celebration in my kitchen. It’s straightforward, fast, and nails that perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and a hint of heat that keeps everyone asking for seconds.

Super Simple Preparation: Just a quick toss of chicken in cornstarch and a whisked-together sauce – no complicated steps here.
Flavor Explosion: The combination of soy sauce, maple syrup, and fresh ginger creates a sauce that’s rich yet fresh, with depth in every bite.
Quick Cooking Time: It comes together in around 30 minutes, which means you can enjoy a homemade Asian-inspired meal without the wait.
Versatility: Perfect over rice, noodles, or even wrapped in lettuce for a lighter option.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic in this Easy Mongolian Chicken Recipe comes down to a few simple but well-chosen ingredients. Each one plays a role in achieving that signature glossy sauce and tender yet crispy chicken. When shopping, fresh ginger and good quality soy sauce are your best friends here.

Flat lay of boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into chunks, a small pile of white cornstarch powder on a white ceramic plate, a few whole uncracked brown eggs, thinly sliced green onions arranged neatly on a white ceramic dish, a small white bowl with golden avocado oil, a small white bowl of dark soy sauce, a small white bowl of clear rice vinegar, a small white bowl with amber maple syrup, a small white bowl of toasted sesame oil, a small white bowl of bright red sriracha, a small white bowl of water, a small white bowl of freshly grated ginger, a small white bowl of grated garlic, a small white bowl of sesame seeds, a simple mound of cooked white rice with no packaging arranged on a separate white ceramic plate, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Boneless skinless chicken breasts: They hold up well during cooking and stay juicy when coated and fried this way.
Garlic powder: Adds an easy punch of flavor that blends seamlessly with the sauce.
Cornstarch: This is the secret to that coveted crispy coating on the chicken pieces.
Avocado oil: Great for high-heat cooking and has a neutral flavor so the sauce shines.
Sliced green onions: Adds that fresh, oniony bite that lifts the whole dish.
Low sodium soy sauce: Gives you control over saltiness and balances sweetness perfectly.
Rice vinegar: Brings brightness and a little tang to the sauce.
Maple syrup or brown sugar: Provides the caramel-like sweetness essential to Mongolian sauce.
Toasted sesame oil: Just a hint adds a lovely, nutty aroma.
Sriracha: Adds a subtle kick that’s customizable by how much you use.
Water: Helps thin the sauce and distributes flavors evenly.
Fresh garlic and ginger: Essential for authentic depth and freshness in the sauce.
Sesame seeds: Optional, but they add a wonderful final crunch and visual appeal.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Easy Mongolian Chicken Recipe is how easily it adapts to what you have on hand or your flavor preferences. I’ve personalized it in a few ways depending on the mood and company.

Variation: I once swapped chicken for thinly sliced beef, and it made a quick Mongolian beef version that my family adored.
Spice it up: If you like heat, add extra sriracha or toss in some red pepper flakes when cooking the sauce.
Veggie boost: Toss in some bell peppers or snap peas for color and texture. Just give them a quick sauté before adding the sauce.
Sweetener swap: Use honey or coconut sugar instead of maple syrup for a slightly different but equally delicious twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Mongolian Chicken Recipe

A white bowl on a white marbled surface holds a serving of white rice as the bottom layer, with dark brown glazed pieces of chicken coated in sesame seeds and mixed with green onion stalks placed on top. A silver fork rests on the left side inside the bowl, partly touching the chicken and rice. Nearby, there is a small white bowl filled with sesame seeds and a black pan with more glazed chicken and green onion on a grey cloth. The scene is bright with natural lighting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Coat the chicken for crispiness

Start by tossing your chicken pieces with garlic powder and cornstarch in a large bowl until each chunk is fully coated. This step is crucial for getting that delightful crispy exterior once cooked. Make sure you really cover each piece evenly – it makes all the difference.

Step 2: Whisk together the savory sauce

In a separate measuring cup or bowl, whisk the soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, sriracha, water, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cornstarch until smooth. No lumps! This sauce will thicken beautifully when it hits the hot pan.

Step 3: Sear the chicken to perfection

Heat the avocado oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Once shimmering, add the chicken pieces in a single layer without crowding the pan. This is key to getting that tasty crust. Let them cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes before flipping. Cook through, then transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 4: Bring the sauce and scallions to life

In the same skillet, toss in the sliced green onions and cook for about 30 seconds – just enough to release their fresh flavor. Pour in your prepared sauce and stir to combine. It’ll start to bubble and thicken quickly.

Step 5: Combine and coat

Return the chicken to the skillet, stirring so every piece is luxuriously coated in the thick sauce. Once the sauce clings nicely and looks glossy, it’s time to take the pan off the heat. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and extra sliced scallions on top for that restaurant-style finish.

Top Tip

I’ve learned a few things after making this Easy Mongolian Chicken Recipe multiple times — these tips help you nail the texture and flavor every single time.

Don’t Crowd the Pan: If your pan is too full, chicken steams instead of crisps. Cook in batches if needed for best results.
Measure Cornstarch Carefully: Too much makes the sauce gummy; too little means it won’t thicken properly. Stick to the recipe amounts.
Use Fresh Ginger and Garlic: While garlic powder is great for the chicken coating, fresh ginger and garlic in the sauce add unbeatable freshness.
Finish with Sesame Seeds and Green Onions: They add that extra crunch and pop of color that makes your dish look and taste like you put in extra effort.

How to Serve Easy Mongolian Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping my Easy Mongolian Chicken with a generous sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for that nutty crunch. A handful of extra sliced green onions brightens up the dish visually and flavor-wise, too – don’t skip the garnish, it really elevates the experience.

Side Dishes

Serving it over steamed jasmine rice or simple noodles makes it a complete meal. Sometimes I like to add a side of stir-fried broccoli or snap peas to bring some green freshness and texture balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun dinner party twist, I’ve served the chicken in lettuce cups for a fresh, handheld version. It’s a hit with friends and feels light without sacrificing all those bold flavors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they stay great for up to 3 days. The sauce keeps the chicken moist, but I find the texture is best if reheated gently.

Freezing

Freezing this dish is totally doable, but because of the fresh green onions and the crispy chicken, I prefer to freeze the chicken and sauce separately. When reheating, add fresh scallions after warming for maximum freshness.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium-low heat to avoid drying out the chicken. Adding a splash of water or broth helps loosen the sauce and keeps everything nice and saucy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs will work wonderfully and often stay more tender and juicy. Just cut into similar-sized pieces and follow the same cooking steps. They might take a minute or two longer to cook through due to higher fat content.

How spicy is this Easy Mongolian Chicken Recipe?

The recipe includes a little sriracha for mild heat, but it’s easily adjustable. You can reduce or omit it if you prefer mild flavors, or add more (or even chili flakes) if you like a kick.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes! Simply use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari instead of traditional soy sauce. Make sure any other ingredients you use, like sriracha or vinegar, are also gluten-free to keep the dish safe.

What should I serve with this Easy Mongolian Chicken Recipe?

It pairs beautifully with steamed rice or noodles. Adding a side of simple stir-fried or steamed vegetables like broccoli or snap peas complements the richness of the sauce and adds a nice crunch.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Mongolian Chicken Recipe feels like a reliable friend in my meal rotation – always delivering big flavors with minimal effort. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, knowing it’ll bring warmth and satisfaction to your table in just half an hour. Give it a try and watch it become a favorite fast!