Sweet and Sour Chicken
User Reviews
4.5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
5 mins
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Total Time
20 mins
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Servings
2 People
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Calories
345 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Chinese
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Description
This Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe starts with bite-sized chicken breast cubes that are briefly marinated in Shaoxing wine to add depth. The chicken is coated with a batter made from flour, cornstarch, water, and baking powder, which crisps up when deep-fried. After frying, the chicken pieces maintain a crispy exterior and tender interior.
The sauce combines several flavor components such as ketchup for sweetness and tang, chili sauce for heat, plum sauce for a fruity sweetness, Worcestershire and oyster sauces for umami, and rice vinegar for acidity. Cooking the garlic and green bell peppers before adding the sauce lets their flavors meld. Adding tomatoes and scallions at the end contributes freshness and texture, creating a complex but harmonious flavor profile.
Served immediately with steamed white rice, this dish balances crisp chicken with vibrant vegetables and a flavorful sauce, making it suitable for a satisfying main course. The method ensures the chicken remains crunchy rather than soggy, and the sauce coats the ingredients without overpowering them.
Ingredients
- 8 oz. (230g) chicken breast cut into bite-size cubes, boneless and skinless
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine optional
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper seeded and cut into squares
- 1 tomato cut into wedges, optional, small
- 1 talk scallion cut into 2-inch (5cm) lengths
- neutral cooking oil for deep frying, generic cooking oil
Batter:
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce or other chili sauce, Lingham brand
- 1 teaspoon plum sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce Lea and Perrins brand
- 1/4 teaspoon rice vinegar Chinese
- 1/2 teaspoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 3 dashes white pepper powder
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized cubes and marinate them with 1 tablespoon of wine for 10 minutes. In a bowl, mix the batter, then add the chicken cubes to it. In a separate small bowl, mix the Sweet and Sour sauce and set aside.
- Heat cooking oil in a wok and deep-fry the chicken cubes, shaking off any excess batter before frying. Once golden brown, transfer the chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Discard the remaining cooking oil, leaving only 2 tablespoons in the wok.
- Add the garlic to the wok and sauté until light brown, then add the green bell peppers. Stir-fry until fragrant. Pour in the sweet and sour sauce and bring it to a boil.
- Toss in the chicken and tomatoes, then add the chopped scallions. Stir quickly, then dish out and serve immediately with steamed white rice.
Notes
- Watch the cooking video available on the recipe page to follow each preparation step visually.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2People
Amount Per Serving
Calories 345 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1g | |
| Calories | 345kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 73mg | 24% |
| Sodium | 871mg | 36% |
| Potassium | 819mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 14g | 28% |
| Vitamin A | 966IU | 19% |
| Vitamin C | 71mg | 79% |
| Calcium | 103mg | 10% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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