Description
Crispy chicken pieces tossed in a glossy sweet and sour sauce made with pineapple, bell peppers, and tangy vinegar. This homemade version delivers classic takeout flavor with simple ingredients and comes together fast for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Vegetables
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
- ½ cup onion, chopped
Sweet and Sour Sauce
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- ⅓ cup rice vinegar
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season chicken pieces evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge the seasoned chicken pieces in cornstarch, ensuring each piece is well coated. Then dip them into the beaten eggs for a sticky layer to help the crust form when fried.
- Heat Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok to 350°F (175°C), which is perfect for deep frying.
- Fry Chicken: Fry the chicken pieces in batches for 4–5 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Place the fried chicken on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a saucepan or skillet, whisk together pineapple juice, rice vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, and cornstarch.
- Cook Sauce: Cook the sauce over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in chopped bell pepper, onion, and pineapple chunks. Let them simmer in the sauce for 2–3 minutes to soften slightly and absorb flavor.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Add the fried chicken to the sauce and toss to coat each piece evenly with the sweet and sour glaze.
- Serve: Serve the sweet and sour chicken immediately over steamed rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a lighter version, bake or air-fry the chicken instead of deep-frying to reduce oil content.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar according to your taste preference.
- Use red, yellow, or green bell peppers to add vibrant color variations to the dish.
- The sauce will thicken further as it cools, so serve promptly for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-Inspired
