Quick & Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
15 mins
-
Cook Time
12 mins
-
Total Time
27 mins
-
Servings
2
-
Calories
724 kcal
-
Course
Side Dish, Main Course
-
Cuisine
Chinese
Quick & Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken
Description
The recipe starts with cutting chicken thighs into 1.5-inch pieces seasoned with salt and garlic powder and coated evenly with cornstarch for a crispy exterior when fried. Chicken is pan-fried in vegetable oil over medium-high heat until golden brown and cooked through. The frying can alternatively be done in an air fryer following the notes for timing and temperature.
After frying, the pan is reduced to medium heat to briefly sauté sliced onions, diced bell peppers, and pineapple, preserving their texture and sweetness. A prepared sweet and sour sauce combining ketchup, brown sugar, white vinegar, soy sauce, and a cornstarch slurry is added and cooked until thickened. The fried chicken is returned to the pan and tossed to coat evenly with the sauce and vegetables.
This dish offers crispy chicken with a glossy, thick sauce that has a balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors, complemented by the pineapple's juiciness and bell pepper's crispness. It's suitable for a comforting main dish served with rice or noodles.
The notes provide detailed guidance for air frying by laying the coated chicken pieces in a single layer with light oil spray and air frying at 400°F for 12-14 minutes, adjusting as needed based on your air fryer brand for optimal crispness.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thigh or chicken breast, skinless, boneless
- 1 medium red bell pepper or green/yellow/orange bell peppers, diced
- ½ cup pineapple diced
- ½ onion sliced
- ¼ cup cornstarch or potato starch
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil or any neutral oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder or 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon sesame seeds optional garnish
- 1 green onion finely chopped for garnishing
Sweet and Sour Sauce
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar or white sugar
- ¼ cup white vinegar or rice vinegar/apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon water cold
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce regular
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or potato starch
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine sauce ingredients as listed above and set aside.
- Dice chicken thighs into 1.5-inch pieces. Transfer to a large bowl. Season the chicken with salt and garlic powder.
- Then add cornstarch to the chicken and toss until each piece of chicken is evenly coated in starch.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pan on medium-high heat. Fry chicken on each side for 4-6 minutes or until golden brown and crispy on both sides. Cooked chicken should have an internal temperature of 165 F or until juices run clear. If the chicken isn't crispy, increase to medium-high heat. (To air fry the chicken, refer to the Notes section below for instructions).
- Remove and transfer fried chicken onto a wire rack or paper-towel lined plate. Reserving 1 teaspoon or 5 ml of the oil in the pan and discard the rest.
- Reduce to medium heat and sauté onions, red bell pepper and pineapples for 30 – 45 seconds.
- Pour in sauce and simmer to thicken it, about 30-60 seconds.
- Toss in fried chicken and mix to coat evenly. Remove off heat. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!
Notes
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.
- Arrange coated chicken pieces in a single layer with space; air fry in batches if necessary.
- Spray the coated chicken lightly with oil before air frying at 400°F for 12-14 minutes, checking at 12 minutes and adding time if needed for crispiness.
- Cooking time may vary by air fryer model; adjust as needed for a golden, crispy texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 724 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 724kcal | 36% |
| Carbohydrates | 54g | 18% |
| Protein | 40g | 80% |
| Fat | 38g | 58% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8g | 47% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 222mg | 74% |
| Sodium | 2059mg | 86% |
| Potassium | 811mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 30g | 60% |
| Vitamin A | 2240IU | 45% |
| Vitamin C | 100mg | 111% |
| Calcium | 69mg | 7% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
