Sweet and Sour Chicken Skillet
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
20 mins
-
Cook Time
15 mins
-
Total Time
35 mins
-
Servings
4 servings
-
Calories
359 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
Sweet and Sour Chicken Skillet
Description
This recipe begins by preparing a light batter combining flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and cold water to coat bite-sized chicken pieces. The battered chicken is deep-fried in hot oil until golden brown and crisp, then drained to remove excess oil. The remaining oil is reduced before sautéing sliced onions and red and green bell peppers with minced garlic until just tender-crisp.
The sauce, composed of canned pineapple juice, light brown sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, and cornstarch slurry, is whisked together and added to the skillet. Pineapple tidbits are included to enhance the dish's fruity-sweet character. The fried chicken is then tossed with the sauce and vegetables to coat evenly. The dish is garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, providing added texture and flavor.
This skillet dish pairs well with steamed rice and offers a balance of crispy chicken and a glossy, tangy sauce bound with caramel sweetness from brown sugar and brightness from pineapple juice. Adjusting the color with optional red food coloring can provide a vibrant appearance. Cooking times do not include oil heat-up, which varies by equipment.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 average sized chicken breast cut into small bite-sized pieces, boneless skinless
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 cup water cold
- vegetable oil quantity as needed to fill a deep skillet about 1.5 inches
Sauce
- 1 cup pineapple juice canned
- 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce reduced sodium
- 2 Tbsp water cold
- 1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 - 2 drops red food coloring (optional)
Skillet
- 1 medium yellow onion peeled and sliced into roughly 1 inch pieces
- 1 red bell pepper seeded and sliced into roughly 1 inch pieces
- 1 green bell pepper seeded and sliced into roughly 1 inch pieces
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 8 oz can pineapple tidbits drained
- sesame seeds for garnish
- green onion for garnish, sliced
Instructions
- In a large deep skillet, heat oil over MED heat until it reaches approximately 350°F. Line a baking sheet with a paper towel, then top with a cooling rack. Set nearby, as this is where the chicken will rest once fried.
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and cold water and whisk until smooth. Set near your stove.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and place near the mixing bowl.
- Whisk sauce ingredients together in a small mixing bowl and set aside.
- When oil is ready, dip chicken pieces, one a time, into batter and then carefully add them to the hot oil. Add about 10 pieces to the oil at a time.
- Let fry for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove with a metal spider or slotted spoon, and place on prepared baking sheet/cooling rack. Repeat with remaining chicken.
- Drain out all but about 1-2 Tbsp of the oil and keep heat over MED HIGH. Add onion and bell peppers to the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes, until crisp tender.
- Add garlic and pineapple and cook about 1 minute.
- Pour sauce into skillet, stirring well to coat. Cook until sauce is bubbling and thickening, then add in fried chicken pieces and stir well.
- Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired. We like to serve white rice alongside.
Notes
- Allow oil to heat thoroughly before frying chicken to ensure crispiness and avoid soggy coating.
- Calorie counts vary due to differing oil quantities used for frying.
- Remove excess oil from skillet before sautéing vegetables to control fat and prevent sogginess.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 359 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 359kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 86g | 29% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 1mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 852mg | 36% |
| Potassium | 542mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 56g | 112% |
| Vitamin A | 1151IU | 23% |
| Vitamin C | 76mg | 84% |
| Calcium | 115mg | 12% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
