This easy Chinese Mandarin Chicken recipe allows you to whip up a healthier version of this delicious meal at home that rivals your favorite Chinese restaurant.
Made with just a few simple steps, it makes the perfect quick weeknight dinner.
Mandarin chicken over rice in a white bowl with chopsticks.
One of the most delicious Chinese takeout dishes has to be tender, flavorful Mandarin chicken. While there are several versions out there, I think this one tastes very similar to the original, if not better.
This incredible dish is made with juicy, tender chicken in an amazing sweet, sour, and spicy mandarin sauce. And the best part is that it's super easy to prepare with just a handful of ingredients.
This dish is the perfect solution for busy nights or when you're craving restaurant-quality Chinese cuisine. But with this easy recipe, you can enjoy it in the comfort of your own home.
If you love this recipe, you may also want to check out this Chinese Bourbon Chicken and this Spicy Chicken Stir Fry.
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Why We Love This Mandarin Chicken Dish
- This copycat recipe has all the same sweet, spicy, and savory flavors as the Panda Express version but it's not deep-fried so it's healthier!
- There is nothing complicated about it. Just pan-sear the chicken and toss with the sauce. Easy peasy!
- By making the sauce yourself, you can adjust the heat level because the red chilis give it a bit of a kick. So if you're feeding the whole family, you can use less to tame it down or leave them out altogether.
What You Need to Make It
Ingredients to make Mandarin chicken.
Chicken - We used boneless skinless chicken breast chunks seasoned with a little soy sauce, salt, and black pepper. It's sprinkled with cornstarch to give it a little crispness.
Chilis- This recipe calls for dried red chilis to balance out the sweetness with a little heat. You can omit it if you prefer.
Sauce - Super simple to make with broth, honey, and mandarin oranges.
Variations
- For the chicken pieces, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or legs if you prefer dark meat.
- Feel free to swap the honey for brown sugar. You may want to add a splash of water or orange juice to help it dissolve.
- You can garnish the dish with thinly sliced green onions or top the dish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
- For a more savory sauce with strong Asian flavors, you can add a few drops of hoisin sauce or sesame oil to the sauce.
- Add other vegetables, like green or red peppers, mushrooms, sugar snap peas, or broccoli florets. If you add enough veggies, you may feel like you don't even need the rice.
How to Make Mandarin Chicken
Step 1. Cut the boneless skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and soy sauce (you can use regular or light soy sauce).
Step 2. Sprinkle the corn starch over the top of the pieces of chicken and toss.
Raw chicken with soy sauce and cornstarch.
Step 3. Heat the oil in a heavy, large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Sear the pieces of chicken for about 4 minutes.
Chicken in a cast iron pan.
Step 4. Add chili, garlic, and ginger. Stir it all together.
Chicken and peppers in a cast iron pan.
Step 5. Turn the heat down to medium and add mandarin oranges, honey, and chicken broth. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
Mandarin chicken in a cast iron pan.
Step 6. Garnish with green onions or chives.
Mandarin orange chicken in a cast iron pan.
Step 7. Serve over fluffy rice and enjoy. This would also be good with a side of broccoli or Bang Bang Brussels Sprouts.
Mandarin orange chicken in a white bowl over rice and more in a cast iron pan above it.
FAQs
How do I store leftovers?
Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or let cool and freeze for up to a month. Reheat in the microwave until heated through.
What are mandarin oranges?
Mandarin oranges are just small oranges that are easy to peel. Common types you'll find in the grocery store are clementines, satsumas, and tangerines. They're great for lunch boxes or for quick snacks.
What goes with mandarin chicken?
This recipe allows the chicken to serve as a stand-alone meal when served over a bed of rice. You can serve it with white rice, brown rice, or, for a healthier option, cauliflower rice. A simple green salad or a side of steamed broccoli are other great side options.
Top Tips
- This dish is not sauce-heavy. If you want more to spoon over the rice, consider doubling the sauce ingredients. You can also add in some orange marmalade to help make extra sauce and give it more orange flavor at the same time.
- If you have leftover dried red chilis, don't throw them out. They can be ground into a powder using a spice grinder and stored in a jar for later use.
- Cut the chicken into pieces as close to the same size as you can. This will help them cook evenly in the same amount of time.
Mandarin chicken in a cast iron pan with chopsticks.
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