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Sweet and Sour Chicken

Sweet and Sour Chicken

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  • Author: Jake
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stir-Fried
  • Cuisine: Chinese-American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Sweet and Sour Chicken is a classic Chinese-American dish featuring crispy chicken chunks tossed in a tangy, flavorful sauce made with vinegar, sugar, and ketchup. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart, served with vibrant bell peppers, onions, and pineapple, creating a delicious meal that’s sure to satisfy.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 pound chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
  • 1 green bell pepper, cut into chunks
  • 1 small onion, sliced
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken:
    • In a bowl, combine chicken chunks with soy sauce and cornstarch. Mix until the chicken is well-coated.
  2. Fry the Chicken:
    • Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
    • Fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Remove and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
  3. Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
    • In a small saucepan, whisk together rice vinegar, sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, cornstarch, water, and a pinch of salt.
    • Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Sauté the Vegetables:
    • In the same skillet, add the red and green bell peppers, onion, and pineapple. Cook over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
  5. Combine Everything:
    • Add the fried chicken back into the skillet with the vegetables.
    • Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the chicken and vegetables, tossing everything together until coated and heated through.
  6. Serve:
    • Serve the Sweet and Sour Chicken over steamed rice and enjoy!

Notes

  • For extra flavor, try adding a bit of ginger or garlic to the sauce.
  • You can substitute chicken with shrimp or tofu for a variation.
  • To make the dish spicier, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or chili sauce.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate
  • Calories: ~380 kcal
  • Sugar: ~25 g
  • Sodium: ~800 mg
  • Fat: ~15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: ~70 mg