Sweet and Sour Chicken
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Battered and fried chicken pieces are simmered in a delicious sweet and sour sauce with bell peppers, green onions and pineapple. Easy to make, vibrantly colorful, and thoroughly delicious!
Originating in China and popular throughout many parts of the world, sweet and sour chicken is a classic. There are many variations of it and for this recipe we combine the slightly spicy flavor of bell pepper with the sweetness of pineapple, a fabulous combination. That’s the way my mom made it for our family and it was always a favorite.
Sweet and Sour Chicken Key Ingredients
An important key to making a good sweet and sour sauce is to be sure that the “sour” component isn’t completely overpowered by the “sweet.” The proper balance is essential.
Cider and balsamic vinegar aren’t quite strong enough, use the strongest vinegar you have. I like to supplement white vinegar with a few dashes of a German vinegar called Essig Essenz, which is a super concentrated vinegar with a great flavor and you only need a tiny bit of it. Though you won’t find it in grocery stores in the United States, it’s actually fairly popular among Asian Americans and consequently you can find it in some well-stocked Asian grocery stores. You can also purchase Essig Essenz online. It’s fabulous in vinegar-based salad dressings (and a must in German potato salad). But rest assured, even if if you only use white vinegar in this sweet and sour chicken it’s going to taste amazing!
This dish is easy to make and the flavor is downright fabulous. Another thing you’re going to love is the texture of the chicken. The chicken is battered and fried before adding it to the sauce which produces not only an exquisite crust but leaves the interior of the chicken perfectly white and moist. While it’s not a step you have to take, I highly recommend it.
This sweet and sour chicken is sure to rival your favorite Chinese takeout. Fun, flavorful, colorful and a universal favorite, your family and friends will love it!
Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
Let’s get started!
Let’s make the sauce first. Combine all the sauce ingredients in a bowl. Set aside.
Chop the bell peppers and slice the green onions.
Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Lightly salt and pepper the chicken.
Put the cornstarch and beaten eggs in separate bowls. Coat the chicken pieces in the cornstarch and then in the egg mixture.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When you add a drop of water to the oil and it sputters, the oil is ready. Add the chicken and lightly brown on all sides.
After the chicken is done, transfer the pieces to a paper towel-lined plate.
Add the bell peppers to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until they start to soften.
Add the chicken, pineapple and green onions. Stir in the sauce and simmer for 6-8 minutes.
Stir the chicken and veggies to redistribute the sauce and serve immediately with steamed rice.
Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave.
Enjoy!
For more favorite Chinese recipes be sure to try my:
- Mongolian Beef
- General Tso’s Chicken
- Kung Pao Chicken
- Sesame Chicken
- Mongolian Chicken
- Chinese Beef and Broccoli
- Egg Foo Young
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Sweet and Sour Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 3/4 inch cubes (or use thigh meat which has even more flavor)
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs , beaten
- 1/4 cup high heat cooking oil (I use avocado oil)
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice from the can of pineapple chunks (see below)
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 cup canned pineapple chunks , drained (reserve juice for the sauce)
- 1 red bell pepper , seeded and cut into 3/4 inch chunks
- 1 green bell pepper , seeded and cut into 3/4 inch chunks
- 6 green onions , cut into 3/4 inch slices
Instructions
- Put the cornstarch in a bowl and the beaten eggs in another bowl. Lightly season the chicken with salt and pepper. Dip the chicken pieces into cornstarch, coating all sides, and then dip them in the beaten eggs.Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Brown the chicken on all sides in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined plate.Add the bell peppers to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes. Add the green onions, stir to combine, and add the chicken and pineapple.
- In a bowl, combine the sugar, pineapple juice, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce and garlic powder. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Pour the sauce into the skillet and stir to coat the chicken and vegetables. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring a couple of times.Serve with steamed rice.
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet February 26, 2014
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
So delish! One of our favorite dish, combinations of those flavors makes this simply irresistible!
I love sweet and sour chicken, but I never thought about making it from scratch. I can’t wait to try this for myself!
This is one of our favorite take out dishes. I can’t wait to make it at home!
We are obsessed with takeout food, especially when it can be made at home. This is making my mouth water, I cannot wait to make it!
Sweet and sour chicken is one of my faves. Can’t wait to try this!
mmmm…this sounds fantastic!! My favorite meal!!
LOVE this dinner when we need something quick and easy.
Great recipe, but I do want to try and find that special vinegar you mentioned and try it with that too!
Excellent dish. I did substitute the sugar with Splenda. No difference in taste for us!
Fantastic, Donna, I’m so glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the feedback!
does it alter the taste if sugar substitute is used. if not how much granulated substitute would be needed
Hi Sue, sugar substitutes never taste the same as sugar but if you’re already used to its flavor then it’s no problem, it will work fine in this recipe. How much you use will depend on which sugar substitute you use. I recommend starting out using a little, tasting it, and adding more as needed. Happy cooking!
calorie info would be great!
Done, Carrie, it’s been added! :)
Am about to try out this sweet and sour recipe
Do you have a substitute for white sugar? I only have raw sugar.
Hi Isa, raw sugar is perfect!
This looks amazing!!! And so easy!
Sweet and sour chicken is one of our favorite take-out dishes. I can’t wait to make it at home!