Mongolian Chicken Dinner (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

01 - 1/3 cup neutral oil (like vegetable oil).
02 - 2 chili peppers, sliced (optional).
03 - 1/2 cup water.
04 - 1/4 cup cornstarch or potato starch, more if needed.
05 - 5 thin ginger slices.
06 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch or potato starch.
07 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
08 - 4 tablespoons hoisin sauce.
09 - 2 finely minced garlic cloves.
10 - 1 green onion, minced.
11 - 2 teaspoons sesame oil.
12 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce.
13 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar.

# Instructions:

01 - In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1/2 cup of water. Stir it until smooth and set it aside for later.
02 - Slice chicken thighs into small pieces, roughly 1.5 inches. Don't dry them off, as some moisture helps with coating.
03 - In a large bowl, combine chicken pieces and 1/4 cup of cornstarch. Keep tossing until each piece is well covered. If needed, sprinkle in more starch.
04 - Heat neutral oil in a large pan or wok on medium-high. Fry chicken in batches until each side is crispy and golden, about 6-8 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels or a wire rack to get rid of extra oil.
05 - Turn the heat to medium, toss in the ginger, garlic, and chili slices, and stir for about 10 seconds.
06 - Pour in the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, and brown sugar. Stir everything together until blended.
07 - Stir the prepped cornstarch mixture again, then pour it into the pan. Keep stirring until the liquid thickens up into a sauce.
08 - Toss the cooked chicken back into the pan and stir to coat in the glossy sauce. Remove from heat when well-mixed.
09 - Sprinkle chopped green onion and chili slices on top as a garnish, then serve it hot.

# Notes:

01 - This tasty dish is loaded with bold flavors, balancing sweet, savory, and just a little heat.
02 - With only 30 minutes to prepare, it's crispy chicken coated in a rich and sticky sauce, perfect for hectic nights.
03 - Pair with steamed white rice or your favorite noodles for a satisfying meal.