Mandarin Chicken (Air Fryer)

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

Mandarin Chicken (Air Fryer)

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.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 4

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.
Keyword chicken, rice
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

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