Zesty Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe to Brighten Your Dinner

Crispy, golden-brown chicken pieces beckon with their irresistible sweet and sour chicken recipe charm.

The aroma of perfectly balanced flavors wafts through the kitchen, promising a delightful culinary adventure.

Tender chicken chunks glazed in a vibrant sauce create a mouthwatering centerpiece for any meal.

This classic dish blends zesty notes with subtle sweetness, making every bite a delectable experience.

Home cooks adore how simple ingredients transform into an extraordinary dinner option.

The recipe strikes a perfect harmony between tangy and sweet elements that dance across your palate.

Each forkful promises a delicious journey that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

Sweet and Sour Chicken Ingredient Guide

• Chicken Breasts: Select fresh, boneless cuts for tender, juicy bites with even cooking potential.
• Cornstarch: Creates a light, crispy exterior that locks in chicken's moisture and provides golden crunch.
• Eggs: Helps cornstarch adhere to chicken, forming a protective coating for perfect texture.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhances chicken's natural flavor and adds subtle seasoning depth.

• Ketchup: Provides sweet, tangy base with rich tomato undertones.
• White Vinegar: Adds bright, sharp acidity to balance sweetness.
• Sugar: Balances sauce's flavor profile and creates glossy consistency.
• Soy Sauce: Introduces umami depth and subtle saltiness.
• Garlic Powder: Delivers concentrated, aromatic flavor without raw garlic texture.
• Cornstarch: Thickens sauce, creating smooth, clingy consistency.

• Bell Peppers: Brings vibrant color, crunchy texture, and mild sweetness.
• Onions: Adds savory undertone and aromatic complexity.
• Pineapple Chunks: Introduces tropical sweetness and juicy brightness.
• Vegetable Oil: Enables smooth frying and prevents sticking.

Equipment That Helps Nail the Sweet and Sour Sauce

• Large skillet or wok: Essential for frying chicken and cooking sauce, provides ample space for sautéing ingredients.
• Medium bowl: Perfect for whisking sauce ingredients together smoothly.
• Paper towels: Helps drain excess oil from crispy chicken pieces.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending sauce ingredients without lumps.
• Tongs: Great for safely turning and handling chicken during frying.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping bell peppers and onions.
• Sharp knife: Required for precise vegetable preparation.

Cooking Sweet and Sour Chicken Like a Takeout Champ

• Prepare Chicken Coating

Sprinkle chicken with seasoning, then dust with cornstarch and dip into whisked eggs for a crispy exterior.

• Fry Chicken Pieces

Heat oil in a large skillet and cook chicken until golden brown and crunchy, working in batches to ensure even cooking.

• Create Flavor Sauce

Blend ketchup, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and cornstarch in a bowl to develop a tangy, rich sauce.

• Sauté Vegetables

Quickly cook bell peppers and onions in a clean pan, adding pineapple chunks for bursts of sweetness.

• Combine and Simmer

Pour sauce over vegetables, letting it thicken and coat the ingredients while creating a glossy finish.

• Add Crispy Chicken

Gently toss fried chicken pieces into the saucy vegetable mixture, ensuring each piece gets a delicious coating.

• Final Heating

Warm everything together for a few minutes, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to absorb the sweet and tangy sauce.

• Serve and Enjoy

Plate over fluffy white rice or noodles, creating a delightful meal that’s crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor.

Tips to Balance Sweetness and Tang

• Pat chicken pieces dry before dredging to ensure an extra-crisp exterior that stays crunchy even after adding sauce.
• Prepare the chicken and sauce separately, storing them in the refrigerator, then combine just before serving to maintain maximum crispiness.
• Replace deep-frying with baking chicken pieces at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, brushing with a little oil for a lighter version that's still deliciously golden.
• Use tamari instead of soy sauce, and substitute cornstarch with arrowroot powder to make the recipe completely gluten-free without compromising flavor.
• Swap chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, pressing out excess moisture and following the same coating and cooking method for a fantastic vegetarian option that's just as tasty.

Best Ways to Plate Sweet and Sour Chicken

• Tropical Luau Plate: Arrange the sweet and sour chicken over coconut rice, garnish with fresh pineapple slices and green onion rings for a Hawaiian-inspired presentation that transports diners to a beachy paradise.
• Family-Style Sharing Platter: Spread the crispy chicken and colorful vegetables on a large wooden board, adding extra sauce on the side for dipping, creating an interactive and fun meal that encourages communal dining.
• Quick Weeknight Meal Combo: Pair with steamed broccoli and quick cucumber salad for a balanced meal that adds extra vegetables and freshness, making dinner both delicious and nutritionally complete.
• Lunch Box Transformation: Pack leftovers in a sectioned container with rice in one compartment and chicken in another, perfect for a satisfying next-day lunch that stays crispy and flavorful.

Keep Your Chicken Dish Flavorful for the Next Day

• Store leftover sweet and sour chicken in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain food safety and flavor integrity. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and bacterial growth.
• Allow the dish to reach room temperature before refrigerating. Spread chicken in a single layer to help it cool faster and prevent condensation that could make the crispy coating soggy.
• Revive crispy chicken by using an oven or air fryer at 350°F for 810 minutes. Avoid microwave reheating, which can make the chicken rubbery and destroy its delightful crunch. Add a splash of extra sauce to keep the meat moist.
• Freeze individual portions in freezersafe containers for up to 3 months. Separate sauce and chicken to prevent sogginess. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best texture and taste.

Tangy Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade sweet and sour chicken delivers a perfect balance of tangy zest and crispy perfection from Chinese-American cuisine. Delightful golden-brown bites combine succulent chicken, bright peppers, and a glossy sauce that promises a flavor explosion with each memorable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 0.5 cup cornstarch
• 2 eggs, large, beaten
• vegetable oil, for frying
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 0.5 cup ketchup
• 0.5 cup rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
• 0.5 cup sugar
• 0.25 cup soy sauce
• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsps water (for slurry)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (canned or fresh)

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Instructions

1. Coat Chicken: Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, thoroughly dredge in cornstarch, then carefully dip into beaten eggs to create a crispy protective layer.
2. Fry Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high temperature, frying chicken pieces in batches until they transform into golden, crunchy morsels. Transfer fried pieces onto paper towels to drain excess oil.
3. Prepare Sauce: Whisk together ketchup, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and cornstarch slurry in a medium bowl to create a vibrant, tangy mixture.
4. Sauté Vegetables: In a clean skillet, add a touch of oil and quickly sauté bell peppers and onions until they become slightly tender. Introduce pineapple chunks to enhance the tropical flavor profile.
5. Combine and Thicken: Pour the prepared sweet and sour sauce over the vegetables, allowing it to simmer and thicken while stirring occasionally.
6. Final Fusion: Gently introduce the crispy chicken pieces into the sauce, delicately tossing to ensure complete coating. Continue cooking for a few minutes to harmonize flavors and reheat thoroughly.
7. Serve: Present the sweet and sour chicken piping hot, nestled atop fluffy white rice or accompanied by tender noodles for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Keep oil at a consistent medium-high heat to ensure chicken pieces become golden and crispy without burning. Test oil readiness by dropping a small piece of batter – it should sizzle immediately.
• Shake off excess cornstarch after dredging to prevent clumpy, heavy coating. Use a light, even layer for crispiest chicken texture.
• Whisk cornstarch slurry thoroughly to prevent lumps. Stir sauce continuously while cooking to achieve smooth, glossy thickness without burning.
• Sauté bell peppers and onions just until slightly tender to maintain crunch and vibrant color. Overcooking will make vegetables mushy and lose nutritional value.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg