Mongolian Chicken

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

2 tbsp vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Sauce:

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tbsp water

1 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional for extra flavor)

1 tbsp rice vinegar or white vinegar

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp grated ginger

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)

Garnishes:

2-3 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

Prepare the Chicken:

In a bowl, combine the cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper.

Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss them until fully coated in the dry mixture.

Fry the Chicken:

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

Once hot, add the chicken in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. You may need to do this in batches.

Fry the chicken for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Make the Sauce:

In the same skillet, add the soy sauce, brown sugar, water, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.

Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat and cook for about 2-3 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.

Combine the Chicken and Sauce:

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss it in the sauce until fully coated. Let it cook for another 2-3 minutes so the chicken absorbs the flavors.

Garnish and Serve:

Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.

Serve the Mongolian Chicken over steamed rice or noodles.

Tips:

For extra crispy chicken: You can double coat the chicken by dipping it into the egg wash before tossing it in the dry mixture.

Add vegetables: You can throw in some bell peppers, onions, or broccoli when making the sauce for added texture and flavor.

Enjoy your homemade Mongolian Chicken! Let me know how it turns out or if you need any adjustments!