Description
Savor Chinese-inspired magic with this delightful Sweet and Sour Chicken that blends crispy golden bites with tangy sauce. Juicy chicken pieces dance in a perfect balance of flavors, promising a restaurant-quality meal you can easily create at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) sugar
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) ketchup
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) soy sauce
Coating and Vegetables:
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) cornstarch
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon (8 grams) garlic powder
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) pineapple chunks
- 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/4 onion, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare a culinary workspace and heat the oven to a precise 325°F (165°C), ensuring an even cooking environment.
- Create a crispy coating by thoroughly dusting chicken pieces with cornstarch, then delicately dipping each piece into whisked eggs for a golden exterior.
- Warm vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat, carefully frying chicken until each piece develops a rich, amber-brown color on all surfaces.
- Transfer the golden chicken to a spacious baking dish, positioning pieces for optimal sauce distribution.
- Craft a vibrant sweet and sour sauce by whisking together sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, and garlic powder until smooth and well-integrated.
- Generously drench the chicken with the prepared sauce, then artfully scatter pineapple chunks, bell peppers, and onion across the surface, gently mixing to ensure complete ingredient coverage.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven, allowing the dish to simmer uncovered for 45 minutes. Every 15 minutes, tenderly stir the contents to guarantee each chicken piece becomes thoroughly infused with the tangy sauce.
Notes
- Cornstarch coating ensures a crispy exterior while keeping the chicken moist and tender.
- Replace sugar with honey or maple syrup for a more natural sweetener option that adds depth to the sauce.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Cut vegetables into uniform sizes to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg