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Home » Recipes

Mar Far Chicken

Mar Far chicken is a popular Chinese chicken dish known for its crispy exterior and tender meat!  This classic takeout dish got a homemade healthy makeover. It takes only 25 minutes from start to finish. The homemade gravy is ultra creamy! The batter gives this chicken a golden crusty exterior. This recipe is great for family dinners. You will love this Chicken and Broccoli too!

Check out these Chicken Breast Recipes for more family dinner ideas. Try this Sweet and Sour Chicken as well!

Mar Far chicken.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe

There are many reasons why you'll love this mar far chicken recipe. Here are just a few:

  • Mar far chicken is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
  • The batter is flavorful and the chicken is juicy inside.
  • It tastes like restaurant quality, but it is easy to make at home.
  • Mar far chicken can be served as an appetizer, main course, or even a snack.
  • It is also a great dish to serve for game days, family parties or potlucks.
  • This is a fun twist on classic chicken nuggets. For another crispy chicken recipe, make this easy Parmesan Crusted Chicken!
  • Kids love this fun recipe!
  • For an even healthier option, you can bake this chicken.
  • The fried chicken is gluten-free.  Use gluten-free soy sauce for gluten-free gravy!
  • This dish tastes like comfort food.
  • Check out this Chicken Fried Rice or this Peanut Butter Chicken for another takeout favorite!

Ingredients & Substitutes

These are the ingredients and substitutions for mar far chicken. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe.

Use boneless, skinless chicken breast. Chicken thighs work well too. Use fresh chicken when possible. Cut into equal sized 1-inch cubes.

Tapioca flour gives the chicken its crunchy breading. Feel free to use arrowroot flour in its place. Tapioca is very similar to cornstarch. It is naturally grain-free and gluten-free.

Add in sea salt and pepper to the chicken breading mixture.

Dip the chicken cubes in beaten eggs before adding the breading. This helps the breading stick.

Fry the chicken in olive or avocado oil.

Chicken broth is the base of the gravy. Look for brands without added sugar.

Coconut aminos is the soy-free and gluten-free replacement for soy sauce. It adds a hearty flavor to the chicken gravy.

Tapioca flour helps thicken the gravy. Be sure to dissolve the tapioca flour in water.

Ingredients for mar far chicken.

Lastly, garnish with sliced green onions if desired.

What is Mar Far Chicken?

Mar far chicken is a Chinese dish made with bite-sized pieces of chicken. They are coated in a batter and then fried.

The batter is typically made with flour, eggs, milk, and soy sauce, and it gives the chicken a delicious flavor and a crispy crust.

This healthy recipe uses tapioca flour instead.  Mar Far chicken is often served with a dipping sauce, such as sweet and sour sauce or soy sauce. We love serving it with homemade chicken gravy for a healthier, low sugar option.

Taste & Texture

Mar far chicken is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

The batter is flavorful and the chicken is juicy.

The dish has a slightly sweet and savory flavor.

The gravy is smooth and creamy!

How to Make

Step 1

First, in a shallow dish, mix together the tapioca flour, salt, and pepper. In another shallow dish, add the beaten eggs.

Step 2

Dip the chicken pieces into the beaten eggs, then coat them with the tapioca flour mixture.

Meat in egg mixture.
Breaded chicken cubes.

Step 3

In a deep skillet or frying pan, heat about ½ inch of olive oil over medium-high heat. Heat until the oil reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).

Step 4

Carefully add the breaded chicken to the hot oil in batches. Fry for about 4 to 5 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 5

Remove the fried chicken with a slotted spoon. Place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Fried chicken cubes.

Step 6

In a saucepan, combine the chicken broth and coconut aminos. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.

Gravy in saucepan.

Step 7

In a small bowl, combine the tapioca flour and water. Stir until the flour has dissolved. Pour this mixture into the gravy. Then, stir until it thickens.

Step 8

Place the fried chicken on a serving platter. Pour the hot gravy over the top.

Chicken with mar far gravy.
Pan with meat and gravy.

Step 9

Finally, garnish with sliced green onions if desired.

Expert Tips for Success

Here are a few expert tips and tricks for making the best Mar Far chicken:

  • Use fresh chicken.  Cut into 1-inch cubes.
  • Pan-fry in batches if needed.  Do not overload the skillet or frying pan.
  • Drain the chicken on paper towels after frying.  This will help to remove any excess oil.
  • Serve the Mar Far chicken with a dipping sauce.  This will add extra flavor to the dish.  The gravy featured in the recipe is a great sauce!
Close up of mar far fried chicken.

How to Serve & Store

Mar far chicken is best served hot and fresh.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.  Store the chicken and gravy separately.

Feel free to freeze for up to 1 month.  Please note that the breading texture will change slightly.

Our favorite way to reheat leftovers is in the air fryer.  Air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 to 5 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Mar Far chicken made of?

Mar Far chicken is cubes of fried chicken and chicken gravy.

What does it taste like?

This recipe tastes like fried chicken with gravy on top!

Can I replace the tapioca flour?

The only direct replacements for tapioca flour are arrowroot flour and cornstarch.

How do you thicken the gravy?

To thicken the gravy, create the tapioca flour slurry. Then, pour this mixture back into the pan. Continue stirring until the gravy has thickened.

Chinese fried chicken.

Equipment Needed

Meat Thermometer: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked through.

Nonstick Skillet: This is a large skillet great for frying.

You May Also Enjoy

  • Chicken Marsala
  • Homemade Chicken Nuggets
  • Homemade Gravy
  • Asian Coleslaw
  • Lo Mein

If you enjoyed this homemade chicken meatball recipe, please leave a rating and comment! For more inspiration, check out my Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. For 5 free weekly meal plans and more free resources, sign up to receive my free newsletter! Check out these Dinner Recipes for more healthy ideas.

Mar Far chicken.

Mar Far Chicken

This homemade Mar Far chicken is crispy, hearty, and flavorful! The fried chicken cubes feature a crunchy breading and tender meat. The homemade chicken gravy is smooth and creamy. This Chinese inspired dish is way healthier than takeout!
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 25 minutes mins
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Chinese
Diet: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Peanut/Tree Nut-Free, Picky Eaters
Print Recipe
Servings: 4 servings
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Ingredients
  

Fried Chicken

  • 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1 inch cubes)
  • ½ cup tapioca flour
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 eggs (beaten)
  • olive oil (for frying)

Chicken Gravy

  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoon coconut aminos
  • 2 tablespoon tapioca flour
  • 2 tablespoon water
  • 2 sliced green onions (for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • First, in a shallow dish, mix together the tapioca flour, salt, and pepper. In another shallow dish, add the beaten eggs.
  • Dip the chicken pieces into the beaten eggs, then coat them with the tapioca flour mixture. Shake off any excess breading.
  • In a deep skillet or frying pan, heat about ½ inch of olive oil over medium-high heat. Heat until the oil reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
  • Carefully add the breaded chicken to the hot oil in batches. Do not overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
  • Remove the fried chicken with a slotted spoon. Place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
  • In a saucepan, combine the chicken broth and coconut aminos. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
  • In a small bowl, combine the tapioca flour and water. Stir until the flour has dissolved. Pour this mixture into the gravy. Stir until it thickens.
  • Place the fried chicken on a serving platter. Pour the hot gravy on top.
  • Finally, garnish with sliced green onions if desired.

Notes

  • Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes.
  • Tapioca flour is the corn-free version of cornstarch.
  • Coconut aminos is the gluten-free and soy-free version of soy sauce.  We love that it does not contain added sugars.
  • Use a meat thermometer to determine the internal temperature of the chicken.  Chicken is considered safe to eat at 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Continue stirring the gravy until it has thickened.
  • Use olive oil or avocado oil for the best results.
  • Place the fried chicken on paper towels after frying.  This helps soak up the excess oil.
  • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.  Store the gravy and chicken separately.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Mar Far Chicken
Amount Per Serving
Calories 305 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Trans Fat 0.03g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 193mg64%
Sodium 1126mg49%
Potassium 703mg20%
Carbohydrates 19g6%
Fiber 0.2g1%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 40g80%
Vitamin A 233IU5%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 31mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Enjoy this Mar Far chicken!

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