Description

Sweet and Sour Chicken is a classic, vibrant dish that balances crispy chicken with a tangy, sweet sauce made from pineapple juice, vinegar, and soy sauce. This quick and easy recipe includes colorful vegetables, a hint of heat, and a satisfying crunch, making it the perfect dinner for any night of the week. Serve it with rice or noodles for a complete meal your family will love.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (cut into bite-size pieces)

Salt, to taste

3 large Eggs

½ cup Cornstarch

½ cup Flour

Oil (for frying)

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

1 ½ cups Pineapple Juice

¾ cup Sugar

½ cup Vinegar (rice, apple cider, or white)

2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce

¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder (or 2 garlic cloves, minced)

½ teaspoon Red Chili Flakes

2 Tablespoons Ketchup

1 Tablespoon Cornstarch

Optional:

Red, Yellow, or Orange Bell Pepper (cut into bite-size pieces)

¼ Red Onion (cut into bite-size pieces)

Fresh Pineapple (cut into chunks)

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken with salt. In separate bowls, beat the eggs and mix cornstarch with flour. Dip each chicken piece in the egg, then coat with the cornstarch-flour mixture.
Fry the Chicken: Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce: In a saucepan, combine pineapple juice, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder (or minced garlic), red chili flakes, ketchup, and cornstarch. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until thickened.
Combine Chicken and Sauce: Add the fried chicken to the sauce and toss to coat. Add optional vegetables like bell peppers, onion, or pineapple and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Serve: Serve the Sweet and Sour Chicken hot, garnished with additional fresh pineapple or green onions, and pair it with steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

For Juicier Chicken: You can use chicken thighs for a more flavorful alternative to chicken breasts.

Vegetable Additions: Include bell peppers, onions, or snap peas for more texture and color.

Spicy Version: Add more red chili flakes or fresh chopped chili peppers to increase the heat.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Frying, Simmering
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese