Introducing: Mandarin Chicken

Move over General Tso’s, because there’s a new fiery Asian dish in town—Mandarin Chicken! This tantalizing recipe is an all-in-one entrée that packs a punch, and is sure to become your new favorite takeout alternative.

Featuring a delicious combination of sweet and spicy sauce and succulent chicken pieces marinated in a delightful blend of mandarin oranges, garlic and sesame oil, Mandarin Chicken is a unique, instant classic with all the flavors you love. And it’s easy to make—so let’s get cooking!

Ingredients

For the sauce:

-1/4 cup soy sauce

-2 tablespoons orange juice

-3 tablespoons honey

-1 tablespoon rice vinegar

-1 tablespoon grated ginger

-2 cloves garlic, minced

-1 teaspoon sesame oil

-2 tablespoons cornstarch

-1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

For the chicken:

-2 teaspoons sesame oil

-2 cloves garlic, minced

-1/4 cup mandarin orange slices, chopped

-2 tablespoons brown sugar

-1 pound chicken breast, cut into cubes

-Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Make the sauce

In a medium bowl, combine the soy sauce, orange juice, honey, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, and sesame oil. Whisk in the cornstarch and crushed red pepper, and set aside.

Step 2: Marinate the chicken

In a large bowl, mix together the sesame oil, garlic, mandarin orange slices, and brown sugar. Toss in the chicken, making sure each piece is evenly coated in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Step 3: Cook the chicken

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator, season lightly with salt and pepper, and add to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the outside of the chicken is golden brown and the center is cooked through.

Step 4: Finish the dish

Add the prepared sauce to the skillet and simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened and bubbling. Serve the Mandarin Chicken over rice or noodles and garnish with extra mandarin orange slices.

Enjoy!

Mandarin Chicken is a delectable, spicy-sweet dish that manages to combine the extraordinary flavors of Asia with the classic flavors of chicken. The orange-ginger-garlic marinade gives the chicken an amazing pop of flavor, and the sauce brings it all together with its perfectly balanced layers of sweet and sour.

Whether you’re in the mood for a restaurant-style dish you can have on your table in minutes or a comforting classic that will feed your family in the most satisfying way, Mandarin Chicken is sure to please. Enjoy!