Sticky Mango Chicken 5 ★

30 min | easy | Mediterranean diet

Overhead view of a white bowl filled with sticky mango chicken: glazed, golden-brown chicken pieces tossed with bright yellow mango chunks, sprinkled with chopped green onion and sesame seeds on a light marble surface.

Published May 20, 2025

Prep Time	Cook Time	Total Time
15 min	15 min	30 min

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Introduction

This sticky mango chicken is a sweet, tangy, and savory stir-fry that tastes like takeout but cooks in minutes at home.

Juicy, bite-size chicken gets coated in a glossy soy, honey, and ginger sauce, then tossed with fresh, juicy mango.

It is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, meal prep lunches, or an easy stay-in date night.

Close-up of sticky mango chicken in a white bowl: glossy seared chicken pieces mixed with bright yellow mango chunks, topped with chopped green herbs and black-and-white sesame seeds.

How to Make Sticky Mango Chicken

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Prep the chicken

Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels so the cornstarch sticks well.

In a bowl, toss the chicken with cornstarch, salt, and black pepper until each piece is lightly coated.
Mix the sticky mango sauce

In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and hoisin sauce.

Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and cornstarch, then whisk again until the mixture looks smooth with no lumps.

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Sear the chicken

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers but does not smoke.

Add the coated chicken in a single layer, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the pan.

Cook the chicken, turning occasionally, until it is golden and cooked through, about six to eight minutes total.
Add the sticky sauce

Reduce the heat to medium, then pour the sauce over the cooked chicken in the skillet.

Stir constantly as the sauce bubbles and thickens, coating the chicken in a glossy, sticky layer.
Fold in the mango and garnish

Gently stir in the diced mango and cook for one to two minutes until just warmed but not mushy.

Remove the skillet from the heat, then sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if you like.

Serve the sticky mango chicken right away over steamed rice, noodles, or a simple stir-fried vegetable mix.

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Close-up of a bowl of white rice topped with sticky glazed chicken pieces and bright diced mango, garnished with sliced green onions and black-and-white sesame seeds; two more bowls are blurred in the background.

Substitutions

Use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast: Boneless skinless thighs stay very juicy and tender, and they handle high heat without drying, giving richer flavor overall.
Use tamari instead of soy sauce for gluten-free: Tamari keeps the salty, savory character of soy sauce but is usually gluten-free, making the dish friendly for sensitive eaters.
Use frozen mango instead of fresh mango: Thaw and drain frozen mango before adding so the sauce does not get watery, yet you still taste bright mango flavor.

Close-up of sticky mango chicken served over white rice in a white bowl, with glossy sauce-coated chicken pieces and bright diced mango, topped with sliced green onions and black-and-white sesame seeds.

Tips

Cut even chicken pieces: Aim for one-inch cubes so the chicken cooks evenly and finishes at the same time without dry, overdone edges.
Shake off extra cornstarch: Too much cornstarch on the chicken can make gummy spots, so gently shake each piece before it hits the hot pan.
Watch the sauce closely: The sauce thickens fast once it boils, so keep stirring and lower the heat if it looks too sticky.
Add mango near the end: Cooking mango too long makes it stringy and soft, so warm it just briefly to keep juicy bites and fresh flavor.
Use a wide skillet: A wide pan gives the chicken room to brown instead of steam, which builds flavor and keeps the coating lightly crisp.

Nutrition Facts ^*

Energy	536	kcal
Protein	37	g
Total Fat	13	g
Carbohydrates	72	g
Dietary Fiber	5	g

^* Approximate, per serving.
Data source: USDA FoodData Central.

FAQ

Can I make this dish ahead of time?: You can cook the chicken and sauce earlier, then cool and refrigerate. Reheat gently on the stove and add mango right before serving.
What if my sauce gets too thick or gluey?: Whisk in a tablespoon of water at a time over low heat until it loosens. Keep stirring so it stays smooth and glossy.
How can I make the dish spicier?: Stir some red pepper flakes or a little chili garlic sauce into the pan with the sauce ingredients. Taste and adjust slowly.
Can I use a different protein instead of chicken?: Shrimp, firm tofu, or thinly sliced pork all work well with this sticky mango sauce. Adjust cooking time so your protein cooks through gently.
What should I serve with sticky mango chicken?: Steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, or quinoa all soak up the extra sauce nicely. Simple sides like snap peas or roasted broccoli keep things balanced.

Serving Suggestions

This sticky mango chicken pairs beautifully with jasmine rice or coconut rice for a tropical touch.

For a fresh contrast, add a side of crisp cucumber salad or steamed broccoli tossed with lime.

Recipe by Eunice.
“I learned to cook by standing in my grandma’s kitchen, watching her turn simple ingredients into meals that fed our entire family. That’s where it started. Today, I create recipes for real life, real kitchens, and anyone who wants good food without overthinking it.” Read more.

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Reviews

Rated 5 ★ (out of 5) based on 5 reviews.

Post your review and pictures below! ⬇︎

Ada: What a simple, yet DELICIOUS recipe. I made it for the first time for dinner, and it came out perfectly. Everyone loved it! I do cheat a little bit, and use frozen mango chunks. It's basically the same idea as the recipe, but already done for me, and it's soooo good! In the summer I'll try making it with fresh mangos, but in the meantime, frozen mango helps make this recipe super easy! — 5 ★

Eunice: Frozen mango works well here, glad it turned out!
mama, Fort Wayne, IN: I have made this recipe several times and it is one of my favorite chicken dishes. The chicken is so tender and the sticky mango sauce with garlic and ginger just makes it taste so good. — 5 ★

Eunice: So glad it’s become a favorite in your kitchen!
Grace, Vancouver, WA: Delicious, restaurant quality dish that the whole family loved. The sweet mango sauce blends so well. I definatly will be saving this one. I can't wait to make it again! — 5 ★

Eunice: So glad it was a family favorite, Grace!
Linda, Shreveport: Family loved it 😋 Everyone went back for seconds. — 5 ★

Eunice: Happy it was a hit, Linda! If you ever want it a touch less sweet, start with a little less mango sauce and add to taste at the end.
Kathleen: This was a hit with everyone in my family, including the kids!. We used the leftover sauce and tossed it with shrimp for quick mango stir-fry bowls the next night. — 5 ★

Eunice: Love hearing that, Kathleen!