Easy Mandarin Chicken
Delight your taste buds with this quick and flavorful Easy Mandarin Chicken, a perfect weeknight dinner that combines zesty citrus with savory Asian-inspired flavors. Tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken are lightly coated in cornstarch and soy sauce for a golden, crispy exterior, then tossed in a tangy-sweet sauce made with mandarin orange juice, honey, garlic, and ginger. The dish is finished with juicy mandarin orange segments, sliced green onions, and optional sesame seeds for a beautiful pop of color and texture. Ready in just 35 minutes, this one-pan recipe is served over fluffy white rice, making it a satisfying and wholesome meal for the entire family. Whether you're craving a quick stir-fry or exploring new ways to enjoy chicken, this easy mandarin chicken recipe delivers big on flavor without the fuss.
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 15 ounces mandarin oranges (canned, in juice)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
- 4 cups cooked white rice (for serving)
Instructions
Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and toss them in a medium bowl with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch until evenly coated.
In a small bowl, mix together the juice from the canned mandarin oranges (reserve the oranges for later), honey, rice vinegar, the remaining 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Set the sauce mixture aside.
Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet. Pour in the sauce mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until it starts to thicken slightly.
Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet along with the reserved mandarin oranges. Toss everything together gently to coat the chicken in the sauce and warm the oranges. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
Serve the mandarin chicken hot over cooked white rice and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2816 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 63.0 g | 81% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.4 g | 57% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 25.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 386 mg | 129% | |
| Sodium | 2111 mg | 92% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 383.2 g | 139% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 10.1 g | 36% | |
| Total Sugars | 81.6 g | ||
| Protein | 175.4 g | 351% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 343 mg | 26% | |
| Iron | 19.2 mg | 107% | |
| Potassium | 2230 mg | 47% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
