Try this delicious and quick Mongolian chicken recipe for a flavorful meal in no time! Marinated chicken, veggies, and a savory sauce create the perfect combination of sweet and spicy flavors.

Asian stir-fry dishes are always a hit at our house. They are quick to prepare, full of nature’s wholesome ingredients, and so delicious. You don’t have to have a wok to make great Asian food. A good heavy skillet right on the stovetop works just as well for my sesame chicken and beef chop suey.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients on the recipe card below.
- Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
- Ginger: I used fresh ginger, but you can substitute ginger paste. Ginger paste is sold in tubes in the refrigerated produce section of most grocery stores. It will keep for weeks stored in the refrigerator.
- Garlic: You can substitute fresh, finely minced shallots, or the white parts of green onions.
- Rice Vinegar: As a substitute, you can use white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or champagne vinegar.
- Brown Sugar: You can substitute honey or maple syrup, as these will still bring out the sweet flavor.
- Chicken Broth: Use low-sodium chicken broth.
- Red Pepper Flakes: This is optional, but gives a little kick.

How to Make Mongolian Chicken
This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.
- Combine the chicken and cornstarch in a large zipper bag. Shake to coat.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add vegetable oil. Add the chicken in a single layer. Cook until golden brown. Plate the chicken.
- Heat a little more oil in the pan, and toss in the onion. Cook and stir several times. Add the onion to the plate of chicken.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and add sesame oil. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for a minute. Combine rice vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and cornstarch. Whisk the mixture into the skillet and cook.
- Toss to coat the cooked chicken and onions in the skillet.
Preparation Tips
- Cut the chicken into thin, bite-sized pieces to ensure it is cooked through and crispy. You can use chicken breasts or chicken thighs.
- The cornstarch step is done quickly in a large zipper bag or bowl, giving the chicken a crispy, authentic Asian restaurant flavor and texture.
- Ginger paste works great for those times when fresh ginger is just not available at the market.
- If you want to add more veggies, try snow peas, mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers.
- Think sriracha, red chili flakes, or sambal oelek to add a little kick.
- This recipe is best served promptly while the chicken is crisp and the vegetables are crisp-tender.

Serving Suggestions
- Appetizers: Chicken lettuce wraps, Crab rangoon, Pork dumplings, or Classic egg rolls.
- Starches: White rice, Brown rice, or Chinese noodles.
- Soup: Wonton soup, Egg Drop Soup, or Hot and Sour soup.
More Stir-Fry Dishes

Mongolian Chicken
Ingredients
Mongolian Chicken
- 1¼ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into thin bite-size pieces
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- 2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium yellow onion cut in 8-10 wedges
Sauce Ingredients
- 1½ teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ cup chicken broth or water
- 1-2 pinches red pepper flakes optional
- 4 green onions cut in ¾ inch segment
Instructions
- Combine the chicken and cornstarch in a large zipper bag. Shake to coat. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the pan in a single layer and cook on both sides until golden brown. If necessary, work in batches, adding more oil when needed. Plate the chicken.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat in the same skillet. Cook the onion for 2 minutes, stirring several times. Add the onion to the plate with the chicken.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the sesame oil. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the rice vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar, stirring to combine.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and cornstarch. Whisk it into the skillet and cook until slightly thickened. If desired, add red pepper flakes. Add the cooked chicken and onions back to the skillet. Top with the green onions and serve promptly.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
Nutrition
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Rosey
This looks terrific. And yes, to the snow peas! I would definitely add them to this.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Rosey! Enjoy!
Whitney Stewart
Man, I’m definitely going to have to keep tabs on your site for more tasty looking recipes! Everything has looked so good so far!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Whitney! I hope you enjoy all my recipes!
Kerrie
Instead of chicken what’s the best meat to use thankyou
Beth Pierce
Beef like strip steak, flank steak, or skirt steak. I have a beef cut that is available to me called petite shoulder and it is excellent.
Vicki O'Reilly
I made this for the first time last night. It will definitely be a repeat menu item. My husband gobbled it up! Absolutely a must try if you haven’t already.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Vicki! So glad that you and your husband liked it!
Melissa Cushing
I am pinning this recipe to make for my family as we will love it. I do not like any of our local Chinese restaurants so I want to make my own authentic dishes and will start with this fabulous recipe 😉 Thankjyou!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine! Enjoy Melissa!
Marysa
I’ve never had mongolian chicken before. Your recipe sounds easy enough to make and it would be a tasty dinner.
Brianna
This looks so good and doesn’t even have a ton of ingredients…a must for me to try!
Tasheena
I’ve never had Mongolian Chicken before, I really loved this recipe. Thanks for sharing it with us!!
Beeb
This recipe looks so delicious and a great alternative to eating out!
Kathy
This looks so delicious. I have never had Mongolian chicken before though. I will definitely have to try this.