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Mandarin chicken is one of the most requested Chinese recipes on my website. My readers started emailing me a couple of year ago when popular Chinese joint Panda Express removed Mandarin chicken from their menu.
So, for those who have been waiting to replicate this dish at home, I’ve got you the easiest and most delicious recipe that tastes like Panda Express or the malls, if not better.
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This is a super quick, healthy and simple recipe to make and takes only 5 ingredients: chicken, ginger, soy sauce, lemon juice and sugar.
First, you pan-seared the chicken (breast or thighs), then you make the sauce. Slice the chicken into pieces and drizzle a load of the citrusy sauce on the chicken and serve with rice.
In the United States, another type of Mandarin Chicken served at Chinese restaurants is practically Orange Chicken.
I know it’s confusing, but both are well loved by many people, including the pickiest eaters and kids. Try out both my recipes and see what you like. Happy eating!
Serve Mandarin Chicken With:
For a wholesome dinner, make the following dishes.
How Many Calories per Serving?
This recipe is only 165 calories per serving.
What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?
For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
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Mandarin Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts
- Oil (for pan-frying)
- Chopped scallion (for garnishing)
- Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 3 slices peeled ginger
Instructions
- Heat up a skillet and pan-fry the chicken on both sides until cooked. You may grill the chicken or pan-fry using a cast-iron grill pan. Cool off and sliced into pieces, set aside.
- Mix all the ingredients in a small sauce pan. Heat up on medium heat until the sauce slightly thickens. Discard the ginger slices.
- Drizzle the Sauce on top of the chicken and garnish with the scallion. Serve immediately with steamed rice.
Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
Maybe it is because its Mandarin is because its Chinese
So, why does it called “mandarin” chicken?
Nothing mandarin in the sauce. Or is it lemon juice that makes it mandarine?
Hi Alex, I have no idea either. Chinese food has names that don’t make sense sometimes. ;)
It’s from a Tibetan area of China where the language is Chinese mandarin. Nothing to do with oranges
I see!
My mouth was watering looking at your picture. Going to try this weekend!
This is amazeballs! Made this for myself tonight along with my own fried rice, tasty simple and far better than any takeaway! Thanks loving your recipies.
how many servings this meal?
Wow, that sauce looks so good! I can’t believe how simple this is – I’m definitely going to have to whip it up for a weeknight dinner! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Hi Kaela!
I will be making this soon for sure, I love Chinese dishes and hubby loves them as well. Thanks for the easy recipe… Pinned for future reference :).
Thanks Amira. :)
This looks and sounds wonderful, Bee! And your pictures are gorgeous – I can practically taste how juicy it is!
Aww Kathleen, thanks. Yes this is a great and super easy recipe. Very delicious! :)
Clear, informative, simple. Love your post!
Definitely going to try this but first please confirm if 2 tablespoons sugar is not too sweet
No, not too sweet. 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, too. If you don’t like it too sweet, use slightly less than 2 tablespoons.