Baked sweet and sour chicken

Baked sweet and sour chicken is a delicious and healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried version. Here’s a simple recipe for you to try:

Ingredients:

For the chicken:

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the sweet and sour sauce:

• 1 cup pineapple juice (canned or fresh)
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to your desired level of spiciness)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (to thicken the sauce)

For the coating:

• 1 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In one bowl, whisk the eggs and season with salt and pepper. In another bowl, place the 1 cup of all-purpose flour.
3. Take each piece of chicken, dip it into the flour, then into the egg, and back into the flour. Make sure the chicken pieces are coated evenly. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden brown.
5. While the chicken is baking, prepare the sweet and sour sauce. In a saucepan, combine the pineapple juice, ketchup, white vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
6. Once the sauce is simmering, stir in the cornstarch and water mixture. Continue to cook and stir until the sauce thickens, which should only take a few minutes.
7. Once the chicken is done baking, you can either drizzle the sauce over the chicken on the baking sheet or serve the sauce on the side for dipping.
8. You can garnish the dish with some chopped green onions and serve it with cooked rice or noodles.

Enjoy your homemade baked sweet and sour chicken! It’s a healthier and equally tasty alternative to the classic deep-fried version.