Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe: A Zingy Homemade Delight

Crafting a delightful sweet and sour chicken recipe promises a culinary adventure that’ll make your taste buds dance with excitement.

Zesty flavors blend perfectly in this classic dish that originated in Chinese American cuisine.

Vibrant ingredients come together to create a meal bursting with tangy and sugary notes.

Crispy chicken pieces coated in a glossy sauce capture the essence of comfort food with an exotic twist.

Home cooks of all skill levels can master this crowd-pleasing favorite in just a few simple steps.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of bright, punchy flavors that feel both familiar and extraordinary.

Get ready to impress everyone at the dinner table with this mouthwatering recipe that turns an ordinary evening into a delicious celebration.

Sweet And Sour Chicken Questions, Answered

• What ingredients make the sauce tangy and sweet?

The combination of pineapple juice, white vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, and soy sauce creates a balanced sweet and sour flavor profile that gives the dish its signature taste.

• How do I ensure the chicken is cooked perfectly?

Cook chicken in a single layer over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, and check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee safe and juicy meat.

• Can I use different types of chicken?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs for a more tender result, as thighs have higher fat content and remain juicy during cooking.

What Makes Sweet And Sour Chicken So Addictive

• Customize Your Flavor: Adjust the sauce ingredients to match your taste preferences, making this recipe a flexible canvas for culinary creativity.
• Quick Weeknight Savior: Prepare a restaurant-quality meal in less than 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving delicious home-cooked food.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup by using a single skillet for cooking chicken, vegetables, and creating the vibrant sweet and sour sauce.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Deliver a universally loved dish that satisfies both kids and adults with its balanced sweet, tangy, and savory profile.

What You’ll Need For Sweet And Sour Chicken Magic

• Chicken Breasts: A lean and tender meat that serves as the main protein in this flavorful dish.

• Pineapple Juice, White Vinegar, Ketchup, Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar: A harmonious blend that creates the signature sweet and tangy flavor profile of the sauce.
• Minced Garlic, Grated Ginger: Aromatic ingredients that add depth and complexity to the sauce.
• Cornstarch: A thickening agent that helps the sauce achieve a glossy and clingy consistency.
• Black Pepper, Salt: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.

• Green Bell Peppers, Red Onions: Colorful vegetables that provide crunch and additional flavor to the sweet and sour chicken.
• Green Onions: A fresh garnish that adds a bright, crisp finish to the dish.

• Vegetable Oil: A neutral oil used for cooking the chicken and sautéing the vegetables.

• Steamed White Rice: A classic accompaniment that perfectly complements the sweet and sour chicken.

Step-By-Step Guide To Sweet And Sour Chicken

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Cubes

Cut chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Pineapple juice
• White vinegar
• Ketchup
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger
• Cornstarch
• Black pepper
• Salt

Whisk ingredients together until smooth and well-blended.

Step 3: Heat Cooking Pan

Warm vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the surface starts to shimmer and looks hot.

Step 4: Sear Chicken Pieces

Spread chicken cubes in a single layer across the skillet, allowing each piece to develop a golden-brown exterior.

Step 5: Cook Chicken Thoroughly

Stir chicken occasionally, cooking for 5-6 minutes until pieces turn crispy and golden. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

Step 6: Remove Cooked Chicken

Transfer chicken to a separate plate, keeping it warm and ready for the next stage.

Step 7: Sauté Vegetables

In the same skillet, quickly cook green bell peppers and red onions for 2-3 minutes until they become slightly tender.

Step 8: Combine Sauce And Protein

Pour prepared sauce over the vegetables and chicken, stirring to coat everything evenly. Allow sauce to thicken for 1-2 minutes.

Step 9: Garnish And Finish

Sprinkle freshly sliced green onions over the dish to add brightness and visual appeal.

Step 10: Serve And Enjoy

Place a generous portion over steamed white rice, ensuring each serving gets a perfect coating of sweet and sour sauce.

Winning Tips For Sweet And Sour Chicken Lovers

• Slice Chicken Precisely: Cut chicken into uniform, bite-sized cubes to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Control Oil Temperature: Use medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding the skillet to achieve golden, crispy chicken exterior without burning.
• Thicken Sauce Smartly: Let sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes to create the perfect consistency, allowing cornstarch to activate and create a glossy, clinging coating.
• Balance Flavors Carefully: Adjust sweet and sour sauce ingredients to taste, ensuring harmonious blend between tangy vinegar and sweet pineapple juice.
• Keep Chicken Juicy: Cook chicken just until internal temperature reaches 165°F to maintain tender, succulent meat without drying out.

Tasty Variations For Sweet And Sour Chicken

• Tropical Pineapple Fusion: Replace white vinegar with fresh pineapple chunks, adding more tropical sweetness and texture to the classic recipe.
• Spicy Chili Kick: Incorporate diced jalapeños or sriracha sauce to create a fiery version that adds bold heat to the sweet and sour flavor profile.
• Citrus Zest Remix: Substitute pineapple juice with orange juice and add orange zest for a brighter, tangier sauce that enhances the chicken's flavor.
• Asian Sesame Variation: Drizzle toasted sesame oil before serving and sprinkle sesame seeds, introducing a nutty undertone to the traditional sweet and sour chicken.

Best Pairings With Sweet And Sour Chicken

• Pair with Tropical White Wine: Select a crisp, slightly sweet Riesling or Gewürztraminer that complements the sweet and sour flavor profile, enhancing the dish's fruity and tangy notes while cutting through the richness.
• Balance with Refreshing Asian Beer: Choose a light lager like Tsingtao or Sapporo, which provides a clean, crisp contrast to the bold sauce and helps cleanse the palate between bites.
• Complement with Jasmine Rice Pilaf: Create a fragrant side dish by cooking jasmine rice with a touch of butter and toasted sesame seeds, adding depth and texture that perfectly absorbs the vibrant sweet and sour sauce.

How To Store Sweet And Sour Chicken Just Right

• Transfer leftover sweet and sour chicken to an airtight container, seal tightly, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep sauce-coated chicken separate from rice to maintain optimal texture.
• Pack cooled chicken in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for maximum 2-3 months, ensuring sauce and meat are well-protected.
• Warm refrigerated chicken in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly.
• When storing, place sauce and chicken in different compartments to keep chicken crispy.

Glazed Sweet And Sour Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savor an irresistible sweet and sour chicken recipe that blends tangy flavors with crispy perfection. Chinese-inspired culinary magic awaits you, promising a delightful meal that elevates home cooking with zesty, mouthwatering charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

main ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs chicken breast, boneless and skinless
• 1 cup rice, white long-grain

vegetables:

• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 2 green onions, sliced

sauce and seasoning:

• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1/3 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp ginger, fresh and grated
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Slice chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes, ensuring uniform pieces for even cooking.
2. Whisk together pineapple juice, white vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, cornstarch, black pepper, and salt in a mixing bowl to create a vibrant sweet and sour sauce.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot.
4. Carefully add chicken cubes to the skillet, spreading them in a single layer to promote golden browning.
5. Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until exterior turns crispy and golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
6. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside, keeping warm.
7. In the same skillet, sauté chopped green bell peppers and diced red onions for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
8. Pour prepared sauce over vegetables and chicken, stirring to coat evenly and allow sauce to thicken for 1-2 minutes.
9. Sprinkle sliced green onions over the dish for fresh flavor and color contrast.
10. Serve immediately over steamed white rice, ensuring each portion gets a generous coating of sweet and sour sauce.

Notes

• Control chicken size carefully, cutting into uniform 1-inch cubes to guarantee consistent cooking and golden exterior.
• Adjust sauce sweetness by balancing vinegar and sugar ratios, tasting and tweaking before final cooking for personalized flavor profile.
• Prevent soggy chicken by patting meat dry with paper towels before cooking, allowing better browning and crispy texture.
• Consider gluten-free adaptation by replacing soy sauce with tamari and ensuring cornstarch is certified gluten-free for sensitive diets.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg