Sweet and Sour Chicken is a classic Chinese-American dish featuring crispy chicken pieces coated in a tangy and sweet sauce. Here’s a simple and delicious recipe you can try at home:
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup vinegar (white or apple cider)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
- 1/2 cup pineapple chunks (optional)
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Dredge the chicken pieces in cornstarch, shaking off any excess.
- Dip the coated chicken pieces into the beaten eggs.
- Fry the Chicken:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or wok over medium-high heat.
- Fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels.
- Make the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix the sugar, ketchup, vinegar, and soy sauce.
- In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch and water to make a slurry.
- Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat.
- Add the chopped bell pepper and onion, and stir-fry until they are slightly tender.
- Add the pineapple chunks (if using) and pour in the sauce mixture.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for a few minutes.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce, stirring constantly.
- Combine:
- Add the fried chicken pieces to the sauce and stir to coat evenly.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes to ensure the chicken is well-coated and heated through.
- Serve:
- Serve the Sweet and Sour Chicken over steamed rice or with your favorite side dishes.
Tips
- For an extra crispy coating, you can double-fry the chicken pieces.
- You can add other vegetables like carrots or snap peas for more variety.
- Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of the sauce to your preference by varying the amounts of sugar and vinegar.
Enjoy your homemade Chinese Sweet and Sour Chicken!
