Sweet and Sour Chicken
User Reviews
4.7
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Prep Time
25 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
45 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
486 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Chinese
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Description
The chicken is cut into uniform bite-sized pieces, seasoned, and coated with cornstarch for a crispy finish. After briefly frying colorful bell peppers and onions, pineapple chunks are added to incorporate sweetness and juiciness. The sauce ingredients are mixed and cooked until thickened, then combined with the sautéed vegetables.
The par-cooked chicken is baked to complete cooking while maintaining crispiness, then combined with the sauce and vegetables. The layering of texture between crispy chicken, tender cooked vegetables, and juicy pineapple chunks complements the tart and sweet sauce.
Serve the finished sweet and sour chicken over steamed white rice to soak up the sauce. The dish offers a balance of bright acidity from vinegar and ketchup paired with the savory soy and garlic salt notes. Preparing the sauce and chopping ingredients ahead can ease the cooking process.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breast cut into 1 inch chunks, boneless skinless
- salt freshly ground
- black pepper freshly ground
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 3 large egg beaten
- 1/4 cup neutral cooking oil vegetable or canola), or more as needed, generic cooking oil
- 2 bell pepper red and green, chopped into large chunks
- 1/2 sweet onion , chopped into large chunks
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 5 or 6 cups rice hot cooked
Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons soy sauce low-sodium
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Coat chicken: Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch chunks and season with salt and pepper. Place the cornstarch in a large resealable bag; add the chicken pieces and toss to coat the chicken evenly.
- Dip chicken:Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs together. Dip chicken pieces in beaten eggs and place on hot skillet
- Cook: Add chicken pieces to hot pan (may need to cook in batches) and cook for about one minute on each side, until golden and crispy, but not cooked through.
- Bake: Add chicken to a large rimmed baking dish and bake at 400 degrees F for 12-15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
- Veggies: Meanwhile, add the bell peppers and onion to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add pineapple.
- Sauce: Mix the sauce ingredients together in a bowl then pour into the skillet with the veggies. Cook, stirring, until thickened.
- Serve: Remove chicken from oven and pour sauce and veggies over the top. Toss to coat. Serve immediately with hot steamed white or brown rice.
Notes
- Prepare chicken and vegetables ahead and store separately for easy assembly.
- Make the sweet and sour sauce 1 to 2 days ahead and refrigerate to develop flavor.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce for a gluten-free version.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 486 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 486kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 69g | 23% |
| Protein | 21g | 42% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 141mg | 47% |
| Sodium | 1280mg | 53% |
| Potassium | 565mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 44g | 88% |
| Vitamin A | 1518IU | 30% |
| Vitamin C | 67mg | 74% |
| Calcium | 38mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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