Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
This classic Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe features crispy fried chicken pieces tossed with colorful bell peppers, pineapple chunks, and a tangy homemade sweet and sour sauce. Perfectly balanced with sweetness, tanginess, and a hint of savory, this dish is great for a family dinner or entertaining guests.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts (about 4 pieces), cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup flour
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Vegetables and Fruit
- 1 cup pineapple chunks, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1/2 yellow onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
Sweet and Sour Sauce
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 4 teaspoons reduced sodium soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together sugar, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, reduced sodium soy sauce, and minced garlic until well combined and smooth.
- Heat the oil: Pour enough vegetable oil into a Dutch oven or frying pan to a depth of about 1.5 inches. Preheat over medium-high heat until hot and ready for frying.
- Coat the chicken: Place cornstarch into a large ziplock bag, add chicken chunks, and shake well until evenly coated. Then dip each piece into the beaten eggs, followed by a dip in flour to coat before frying.
- Fry the chicken: Carefully add coated chicken pieces in batches to the hot oil, ensuring they are in a single layer. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and golden crispy. Remove to a cookie sheet and continue frying remaining batches.
- Cook the vegetables and pineapple: After frying all chicken, remove all but 1 tablespoon of oil from the pan. Add bell peppers, onion, and pineapple chunks and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Combine and thicken: Return the fried chicken to the pan with vegetables and pour in the prepared sweet and sour sauce. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens and starts bubbling, coating everything evenly.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving dish immediately. Optionally garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Keep an eye on oil temperature to ensure chicken fries evenly and stays crispy.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier texture if preferred.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in a little soy sauce and garlic before coating.
- Adjust sugar and vinegar quantities in the sauce to taste for sweeter or tangier results.
- This dish pairs well with steamed white rice or fried rice for a complete meal.
Keywords: Sweet and Sour Chicken, Fried Chicken, Chinese-American Recipe, Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce, Crispy Chicken
Find it online: https://cheframiflavor.com/sweet-and-sour-chicken-recipe/
