Description
Culinary magic unfolds with sweet and sour chicken, a classic Chinese-American dish that dances between tangy and sugary flavors. Crispy chicken pieces glazed in a perfect sauce promise a delightful meal you’ll savor with every delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs (907 g) chicken breast
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) cornstarch
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) ketchup
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) brown sugar
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame oil
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup (40 g) pineapple chunks
Garnish:
- 2 tbsp (8 g) green onions, chopped
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cut chicken breast into bite-sized cubes, ensuring uniform pieces for consistent cooking.
- Coat chicken thoroughly with cornstarch, creating a light, crispy exterior that will help seal in moisture during frying.
- Heat oil in a large skillet or wok to 375°F, preparing for deep golden frying of chicken pieces.
- Carefully fry chicken chunks in batches, rotating to achieve an even, crisp golden-brown coating, approximately 3-4 minutes per batch.
- Remove fried chicken and drain on paper towels to eliminate excess oil, keeping pieces crisp and not greasy.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together ketchup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil to create a vibrant, tangy sweet and sour sauce.
- In the same skillet, sauté chopped onions and bell peppers over medium-high heat until slightly softened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and pineapple chunks, stirring quickly to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors.
- Pour prepared sauce into the skillet, allowing it to simmer and slightly thicken for 1-2 minutes.
- Reintroduce crispy chicken pieces into the sauce, gently tossing to ensure complete and even coating.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and sprinkle sesame seeds on top for added texture and visual appeal.
- Serve immediately over steamed rice, enjoying the perfect balance of crispy chicken and vibrant sweet-sour sauce.
Notes
- Prep chicken uniformly to ensure each piece cooks evenly and maintains consistent texture during frying.
- Use paper towels to absorb excess oil, preventing greasy chicken and maintaining that desirable crispy exterior.
- Adjust sauce sweetness by balancing vinegar and sugar quantities to suit personal taste preferences or dietary needs.
- For gluten-free version, substitute regular soy sauce with tamari and ensure cornstarch is certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg