4.5 from 1,734 votes
Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken
🍗👏🏻🎉 This Chinese-inspired sweet and sour chicken recipe takes just 15 minutes to make and tastes way better than takeout or what you're getting from your local food court (Panda, here's looking at you)! It's a family favorite and PERFECT for busy weeknight dinners!
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 514 kcal
Course:
Lunch
Cuisine:
Asian
Ingredients
Sauce
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar packed
- 3 cloves garlic pressed or finely minced
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Chicken
- 1.25 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces (boneless skinless chicken thighs may be substituted)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil plus more if necessary
- 2 green onions sliced into thin rounds, optional for garnishing
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds optional for garnishing
Instructions
Make the Sauce
- To a medium saucepan, add all ingredients except water and cornstarch, whisk to combine, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- To a small bowl, add the water, cornstarch, and stir to combine.
- Add the water and cornstarch mixture to saucepan, reduce heat to low, and allow sauce to simmer for about 5 minutes while you make the chicken; whisk intermittently.
Cup of Yum
Make the Chicken
- To a large ziptop bag, add the chicken, cornstarch, salt and pepper to taste, seal, and shake to coat chicken evenly.
- To a large skillet, add 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil, chicken, and cook over medium-high heat for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until chicken has cooked through. Stir and flip intermittently to ensure even cooking. If skillet seems dry while cooking, add an additional tablespoon or two of oil as necessary.
- After chicken has cooked though, reduce heat to low, add the sauce, stir to coat evenly, and allow it to simmer for a minute or two.
- Optionally garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chicken is best warm and fresh but will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
514kcal
(26%)
Carbohydrates
54g
(18%)
Protein
32g
(64%)
Fat
19g
(29%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
4g
Monounsaturated Fat
11g
Trans Fat
0.02g
Cholesterol
91mg
(30%)
Sodium
594mg
(25%)
Potassium
657mg
(19%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
44g
(88%)
Vitamin A
180IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
45mg
(5%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 514
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 514kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 54g | 18% |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Trans Fat | 0.02g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 91mg | 30% |
| Sodium | 594mg | 25% |
| Potassium | 657mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 44g | 88% |
| Vitamin A | 180IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 45mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.