If you love crispy Chinese-American takeout dishes, this Mar Far Chicken Recipe is a must-try at home. Golden, crunchy fried chicken pieces coated in a tangy sweet and sour sauce — it’s the perfect balance of crispy texture and bold flavor.

This dish is popular in many American-Chinese restaurants and is known for its light, airy batter and bright citrus sauce. The best part? You can easily recreate it in your own kitchen with simple ingredients.
In this detailed guide, you’ll learn how to make restaurant-style Mar Far Chicken step-by-step, along with helpful tips, storage instructions, and variations to customize it to your taste.
What Is Mar Far Chicken?
Mar Far Chicken is a deep-fried chicken dish served with a sweet and sour citrus sauce. The chicken is marinated, coated in a fluffy batter, and fried twice to achieve a crispy, golden exterior.
Unlike heavily sauced dishes, Mar Far Chicken is often served with the sauce on the side or lightly drizzled on top. The sauce typically combines orange, lemon, vinegar, sugar, and ketchup for a bright, tangy flavor.
It’s similar to sweet and sour chicken, but the batter is lighter and crispier, making it stand out.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Crispy, golden double-fried chicken
- Tangy homemade citrus sweet and sour sauce
- Easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions
- Restaurant-quality results at home
- Perfect for family dinners or gatherings
- Customizable spice and sweetness level
This Mar Far Chicken recipe is ideal if you enjoy crunchy fried chicken with bold Asian-inspired flavors.
Equipment’s
To make this Mar Far Chicken Recipe successfully, you’ll need:
- Burner
- Large pot
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Batter mixer or whisk
- Frying pan or deep fryer
- Slotted spoon or strainer
Ingredients with Amounts

For the Sauce
- 10 cups water
- 1 Valencia orange, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 3 slices fresh ginger
- 1 cup vinegar
- 1 ½ cup sugar
- 1 ¼ cup Heinz Tomato Ketchup, Recommended
For the Marinade
- 450 grams chicken breast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon Iberia Dry White Cooking Wine, Recommended
For the Breading
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 egg
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ¼ cup Bob’s Red Mill Corn Starch, Recommended
- 1 ¼ cup flour (divided)
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Citrus Sauce Base
- In a large pot, add 10 cups of water and bring to a boil.
- Add sliced orange, lemon, and ginger.
- Boil for 30 minutes. You should have about 5 to 6 cups of liquid remaining.
- Strain the liquid into a bowl, squeezing out all the juice from the fruit.
Step 2: Prepare the Sweet and Sour Sauce
- To the strained juice, add sugar, vinegar, and ketchup. Mix well.
- In a separate pot, pour 1 cup of this sauce mixture.
- In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to create a slurry.
- Slowly add the slurry into the sauce while stirring continuously.
- Cook until thickened. Pour into a serving bowl and set aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Chicken
- Slice the chicken breast in half.
- Cut each half into 3 long strips.
- Slice each strip at a 45-degree angle into 1-inch pieces.
Step 4: Marinate
- Place chicken in a bowl.
- Add salt, garlic powder, white pepper, cooking wine, and water.
- Mix well.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 5: Make the Batter
- In a mixing bowl, add egg, garlic powder, white pepper, salt, cornstarch, and water.
- Stir gently, then beat until smooth.
- Add 1 cup flour and mix.
- Add remaining ¼ cup flour and mix again.
- Add vegetable oil and baking powder. Beat until well combined.
Step 6: Fry the Chicken
- Remove chicken from refrigerator.
- Pour batter over chicken and mix to coat evenly.
- Heat oil to 370°F (190°C).
- Fry chicken pieces for 2 minutes, stirring gently.
- Remove and rest for 30 seconds.
- Fry again for 3 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove and drain on paper towels.
Serve hot with sweet and sour sauce.
Notes
- Double frying makes the chicken extra crispy.
- Do not overcrowd the pan while frying.
- Always maintain oil temperature at 370°F for best texture.
- You can adjust sugar in the sauce if you prefer less sweetness.
Variations
- Spicy Version: Add chili flakes or sriracha to the sauce.
- Air Fryer Option: Spray battered chicken with oil and air fry at 375°F for 15–18 minutes.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and cornstarch only.
- Orange-Only Sauce: Skip lemon for a sweeter orange flavor.
Tips
- Slice chicken evenly for uniform cooking.
- Chill marinated chicken for better flavor absorption.
- Use a thermometer to control oil temperature.
- Rest fried chicken on a rack instead of paper towels for extra crispiness.
- Make sauce ahead for convenience.
What to Serve With Mar Far Chicken?
Mar Far Chicken pairs perfectly with:
- Steamed white rice
- Fried rice
- Lo mein noodles
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Egg rolls
- Asian cucumber salad
For a complete meal, serve it with rice and a fresh vegetable side.
How to Store Mar Far Chicken?
Refrigerator
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer
Freeze fried chicken (without sauce) for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Reheat in oven at 375°F for 10–12 minutes to keep it crispy. Avoid microwaving if possible.
Have a look at our Souplantation Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe if you are interested.
Mar Far Chicken Recipe
Equipment & Tools
- Burner
- Large Pot
- Cutting Board
- Sharp Knife
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Batter mixer or whisk
- Frying pan or deep fryer
- Slotted spoon or strainer
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- 10 cups water
- 1 Valencia orange sliced
- 1 lemon sliced
- 3 slices fresh ginger
- 1 cup vinegar
- 1 ½ cup sugar
- 1 ¼ cup Heinz Tomato Ketchup, Recommended
For the Marinade:
- 450 grams chicken breast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon Iberia Dry White Cooking Wine, Recommended
For the Breading:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 egg
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ¼ cup Bob's Red Mill Corn Starch, Recommended
- 1 ¼ cup flour divided
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a large pot, add 10 cups of water and bring to a boil.
- Add sliced orange, lemon, and ginger.
- Boil for 30 minutes. You should have about 5 to 6 cups of liquid remaining.
- Strain the liquid into a bowl, squeezing out all the juice from the fruit.
- To the strained juice, add sugar, vinegar, and ketchup. Mix well.
- In a separate pot, pour 1 cup of this sauce mixture.
- In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to create a slurry.
- Slowly add the slurry into the sauce while stirring continuously.
- Cook until thickened. Pour into a serving bowl and set aside.
- Slice the chicken breast in half.
- Cut each half into 3 long strips.
- Slice each strip at a 45-degree angle into 1-inch pieces.
- Place chicken in a bowl.
- Add salt, garlic powder, white pepper, cooking wine, and water.
- Mix well.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, add egg, garlic powder, white pepper, salt, cornstarch, and water.
- Stir gently, then beat until smooth.
- Add 1 cup flour and mix.
- Add remaining ¼ cup flour and mix again.
- Add vegetable oil and baking powder. Beat until well combined.
- Remove chicken from refrigerator.
- Pour batter over chicken and mix to coat evenly.
- Heat oil to 370°F (190°C).
- Fry chicken pieces for 2 minutes, stirring gently.
- Remove and rest for 30 seconds.
- Fry again for 3 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Serve hot with sweet and sour sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
What To Serve With This Mar Far Chicken Dish?
This Mar Far Chicken Recipe can be paired with a variety of side dishes, such as baked potatoes, Southern cornbread, and spicy southwest salad. For a full serving of vegetables, you can add crack green beans or honey butter Brussels Sprouts.
How To Store Mar Far Chicken?
This recipe makes approximately 4 servings of mar far chicken. And if you have leftovers, they remain delicious for days after you make them. That’s why you can make the recipe twice so that you have plenty for the entire week.
How To Reheat Mar Far Chicken?
To reheat Mar Far Chicken, use an oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Next, place your mar far chicken in an oven-safe container and cover it. Then, heat the dish in the oven for 15 minutes, or until the appropriate temperature is reached.
You can look at our Best Sabana De Res Recipe If you’re interested.
Take a peek at our Best Pickled Pork Recipe if you’re interested.
Conclusion
This homemade Mar Far Chicken Recipe delivers crispy, golden chicken with a bright and flavorful citrus sweet and sour sauce. It’s easy to prepare, perfect for family dinners, and tastes just like your favorite restaurant version.
With simple ingredients and clear steps, you can enjoy this classic Chinese-American dish anytime. Try it once, and it will quickly become a favorite in your home kitchen.




awesome recipe thanks I love it