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Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
Make Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken and enjoy this Chinese takeout favorite at home! Crispy and juicy with lots of pineapple flavor.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 3
Calories: 282 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 pound skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs cut into bite-size cubes
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- 1 cup canned pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar or regular vinegar
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2-3 drops of red food coloring optional
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons cold water
- can of pineapple chunks drained
Instructions
- Set the air fryer to preheat at 380 degrees F for 3 minutes.
- Dice the chicken into bite-size pieces. Put the chicken chunks in a bowl and add the cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the chicken thoroughly. to make the chicken crispier, add ½ tablespoon cooking oil or spray with cooking spray.
- Put the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 380 F for 8 minutes.
- Flip the chicken over and cook for another 3-5 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken's internal temperature has reached 165 degrees F.
- Make the sauce while the chicken air fries. Combine the pineapple juice, brown sugar, vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce in a saucepan.
- Cook on medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture just starts to boil. Lower the heat to low.
- Mix the water and cornstarch in a small bowl, then add them to the saucepan. Keep stirring, so it doesn't get lumpy.
- Cook for about 2 minutes until the sauce thickens. Remove the sauce from the heat.
- If you are using food coloring, add it now. Then add the drained canned pineapple to the mixture.
- Once the chicken is done, add it to the saucepan with the still warm sweet and sour sauce and stir, so the sauce evenly coats the chicken.
- Serve with rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Add sliced bell peppers, onions, or another veggie to the air fryer during the last 5 minutes of cooking time if desired.
- If using frozen chicken cubes, increase the air frying time by 2 minutes. Make sure to use an instant-read thermometer to verify the chicken has reached 165 F internally and increase the cook time if necessary.
Nutrition Information
Calories
282kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
27g
(9%)
Protein
34g
(68%)
Fat
4g
(6%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
Trans Fat
0.02g
Cholesterol
97mg
(32%)
Sodium
1373mg
(57%)
Potassium
717mg
(20%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
20g
(40%)
Vitamin A
154IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
8mg
(9%)
Calcium
30mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 3Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 282
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 282kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 27g | 9% |
| Protein | 34g | 68% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 0.02g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 97mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 1373mg | 57% |
| Potassium | 717mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 20g | 40% |
| Vitamin A | 154IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 30mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.