Though I have never eaten Mandarin chicken at Panda Express, I love the flavor of this sweet sauce with a bit of zing. It is perfect over grilled (or air fryer-roasted) boneless chicken thighs.
The Chicken
If you are using the air fryer, cook at 400 for 15-18 minutes, or until crispy and cooked through:
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Another option is to grill them or use the oven, but it will take longer because of the preheat time.
At this point, I cook rice in the Instant Pot: 3 c. rice, 4 1/2 c. water, high pressure for 5 minutes, and quick release. It makes enough for some leftovers.
The Sauce
While the chicken is cooking, put all of the following in a saucepan and heat to boiling:
1/3 c. sugar
¼ c. soy sauce
1 T. lemon juice
½ t. minced garlic
½ t. fresh ginger
¼ c. water
1 T. cornstarch
When the sauce has thickened, remove it from the heat. Slice the cooked chicken, put it on top of the rice, and pour the sauce over it.
Serve the Mandarin chicken with steamed veggies. We especially love broccoli.
Find more yummy Chinese recipes here.
Mandarin Chicken (Air Fryer)
Equipment
- pressure cooker
- air fryer
Ingredients
The Chicken and Rice
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 cups rice
- 4 1/2 cups water
The Sauce
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger fresh, grated
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Leave the chicken thighs whole and cook them in the air fryer for 15-18 minutes at 400 degrees.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- While the chicken cooks, pressure cook the rice for 5 minutes with a quick release.3 cups rice, 4 1/2 cups water
- In a saucepan, add all of the sauce ingredients. Whisk and heat to boiling until the sauce thickens.1/3 cup sugar, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon garlic, 1/2 teaspoon ginger, 1/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Sliced the cooked chicken and serve it over the rice with the sauce. Sprinkle on sesame seeds or sliced green onions for a garnish if you're feeling fancy.