Description
Sweet and Sour Chicken is a classic takeout-style dish featuring crispy bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a tangy and sweet glossy sauce. This homemade version balances the sharpness of vinegar with the sweetness of pineapple and sugar, complemented by colorful bell peppers and onions. Easy to prepare and perfect for a satisfying dinner, it rivals any restaurant version with fresher ingredients and a homemade touch.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
Sweet and Sour Sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- ½ cup pineapple juice (from can or carton)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and black pepper to ensure they are properly flavored before coating.
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge the seasoned chicken pieces in cornstarch, then dip them into the beaten eggs to create a good base for frying that will yield a crispy texture.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken pieces until they turn golden brown and crispy, approximately 4–5 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels to eliminate excess oil.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, thoroughly whisk together all the sweet and sour sauce ingredients: ketchup, rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, cornstarch, and pineapple juice.
- Sauté Vegetables: Using a clean skillet, sauté the chopped red and green bell peppers along with the onion for 2–3 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp. Add the pineapple chunks to the skillet and mix evenly.
- Cook the Sauce: Pour the previously mixed sweet and sour sauce into the skillet with the vegetables and pineapple. Cook over medium heat, stirring often until the sauce thickens, about 2–3 minutes.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Add the crispy fried chicken pieces to the skillet and toss everything together until all the chicken is evenly coated with the luscious sauce and vegetables.
- Serve: Serve hot over steamed rice to enjoy the full flavor and texture of this classic dish.
Notes
- For a lighter version, cook the chicken in an air fryer instead of frying.
- The sweet and sour sauce will thicken further as it cools, so serve shortly after cooking.
- Consider adding additional vegetables like carrots or snap peas for more variety and nutrition.
- This dish is best enjoyed immediately to maintain the crisp texture of the chicken.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Frying, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese-Inspired
