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Easy Sticky Chinese Boneless Spare Ribs Recipe

sticky Chinese boneless spare ribs - featured image

This quick and easy recipe transforms boneless chicken thighs into sticky, sweet, and savory ‘spare ribs’ with a glossy sauce that rivals takeout. Ready in under 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner that everyone loves.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless chicken thighs
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ¼ cup (60ml) soy sauce (regular or low-sodium)
  • 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 3–4 green onions, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable or avocado oil (for cooking)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Cut into bite-sized pieces, about 1.5-inch chunks. Place in a large bowl and sprinkle with cornstarch. Toss well until every piece is lightly coated.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Set aside.
  3. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil. Once shimmering, add chicken pieces in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until cooked through and slightly crispy.
  4. Pour the sauce mixture over the cooked chicken. Stir well to coat. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
  5. Drizzle in toasted sesame oil and stir to combine. Turn off the heat.
  6. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

Pat chicken dry for better browning. Don’t skip cornstarch coating for stickiness. Add sesame oil at the end to avoid bitterness. For a thicker sauce, mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 2 teaspoons cold water and stir in. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: sticky Chinese spare ribs, boneless spare ribs, easy chicken recipe, takeout at home, quick dinner, weeknight dinner, Asian chicken