Irresistible Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe for Family Dinners

My latest culinary adventure with sweet and sour chicken brings unexpected magic to weeknight dinners.

Kitchen experiments sometimes create spectacular surprises that delight everyone around the table.

Crispy golden chunks of tender chicken swim in a vibrant sauce that balances tangy and sugary notes perfectly.

Weeknight cooking rarely feels this exciting or rewarding for busy home chefs.

Chinese-inspired recipes like this one prove how simple ingredients can become extraordinary meals with minimal effort.

Every bite promises a delightful explosion of flavors that will make you forget about takeout menus.

Jump into this delicious journey and surprise yourself with restaurant-quality cooking right in your own kitchen.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Dinner Options

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Use gluten-free cornstarch and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap rice for cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. Replace sugar with monk fruit sweetener and use fewer pineapple chunks to reduce carbohydrates.
• Vegan Version: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or crispy tempeh. Use plant-based liquid egg replacer for coating and follow original cooking method for crispy texture.
• Baked Lighter Alternative: Instead of frying chicken, coat pieces with breadcrumbs and bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes. Reduce oil content and achieve similar crispy result with less calories.

FAQs

• Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken chunks?

Yes, you can easily substitute chicken breast. Cut it into bite-sized pieces and follow the same coating and frying process.

• Is this dish spicy?

No, sweet and sour chicken is typically mild and focuses on a balanced sweet and tangy flavor profile. If you want heat, you can add red pepper flakes or hot sauce.

• Do I need a wok to make this recipe?

Not necessary. A large skillet works perfectly fine for frying chicken and sautéing vegetables. The key is having enough surface area to cook evenly.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, use gluten-free soy sauce and ensure your cornstarch is certified gluten-free. Double-check all ingredient labels to maintain a gluten-free preparation.

Sweet and Sour Chicken With Tang and Crunch

• Quick Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this delicious Sweet and Sour Chicken in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families craving a restaurant-style meal at home.
• Family-Friendly Flavor Explosion: Kids and adults alike will love the crispy chicken, colorful vegetables, and tangy-sweet sauce that makes every bite exciting and delicious.
• Customizable Cooking Adventure: Easily swap vegetables, adjust spice levels, or add your favorite protein to make this recipe uniquely yours while keeping the classic sweet and sour taste.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Uses common pantry staples and simple cooking techniques, allowing home cooks of all skill levels to create a restaurant-quality dish with minimal effort.

Ingredients in Sweet and Sour Chicken

• Chicken: Juicy and tender meat that serves as the main protein in the dish, best when using boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs for even cooking.

• Cornstarch, Soy Sauce: Creates a crispy exterior and adds deep savory flavor to the chicken, helps prevent dryness and promotes golden-brown color.

• Vegetable Oil: Provides the medium for frying chicken to achieve a crispy texture, neutral flavor works well with the sweet and sour sauce.

• Rice Vinegar, Sugar, Ketchup, Soy Sauce, Water: Combination creates the classic sweet and sour flavor profile, balance of tangy and sweet elements.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce and create a glossy, smooth texture.

• Red Bell Pepper, Green Bell Pepper: Add color, crunch, and fresh vegetable flavor to the dish.
• Onion: Provides a sharp, aromatic base that complements the sweet and sour sauce.
• Pineapple: Adds natural sweetness and tropical touch, works perfectly with the sweet and sour flavor.

• Steamed Rice: Classic base for the dish, absorbs the flavorful sauce and completes the meal.

Chicken Sweet & Sour Stir-Fry Method

Step 1: Marinate the Protein

Toss chicken chunks in a mixing bowl with soy sauce and cornstarch.

Ensure each piece gets a complete, even coating that will help create a crispy exterior when cooking.

Step 2: Create Crispy Chicken Pieces

• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat
• Carefully place chicken pieces into hot oil
• Fry each batch until achieving a beautiful golden-brown color and crunchy texture
• Transfer cooked chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil

Step 3: Craft the Tangy Sauce

• Rice vinegar
• Sugar
• Ketchup
• Soy sauce
• Cornstarch
• Water
• Salt

Simmer the mixture over medium heat, stirring continuously until the sauce transforms into a glossy, thickened consistency.

Step 4: Prepare Vibrant Vegetables

Sauté bell peppers, onions, and pineapple chunks in the same skillet.

Cook until vegetables maintain a bright color and slight crunch, approximately 3-4 minutes.

Step 5: Merge Flavors Together

• Return crispy chicken to the skillet
• Pour tangy sauce over chicken and vegetables
• Gently toss everything to ensure complete coating and even heating

Step 6: Plate and Devour

Serve hot over fluffy steamed rice, allowing the sauce to mingle with the rice for maximum flavor enjoyment.

Stir-Fry Cooking Tips for Sweet and Sour Chicken

• Cook chicken in small batches to maintain high oil temperature, ensuring each piece gets perfectly golden and crispy without becoming soggy.
• Use cornstarch to create a light, protective layer on chicken that helps seal in moisture and provides a delightful crunch when fried.
• Adjust sauce consistency by adding more cornstarch for thicker sauce or water for a thinner texture, depending on personal preference.
• Sauté vegetables briefly to maintain their vibrant colors and crisp texture, preventing them from becoming mushy or overcooked.
• Choose fresh pineapple chunks for a brighter, more natural sweetness that complements the tangy sauce better than canned alternatives.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Leftover Plan

• Store leftover sweet and sour chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Chicken will stay fresh for 2-3 months without losing quality.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying. Stir occasionally until heated completely through, about 5-7 minutes.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warm and steaming.

Sweet & Sour Chicken Pairing Ideas

Elevate Flavor Harmony: Jasmine Rice Pairing – Delicate, fragrant jasmine rice perfectly complements the tangy sweet and sour sauce, absorbing the robust flavors while providing a subtle aromatic base.

Wine Wonderland: Riesling Selection – A crisp, slightly sweet German Riesling balances the dish’s acidity, cutting through the richness of the fried chicken with its bright, refreshing notes.

Citrus-Infused Beverage Boost: Mandarin Spritzer – A light, zesty mandarin orange spritzer with sparkling water enhances the tropical pineapple elements, creating a vibrant and refreshing drink pairing that mirrors the dish’s bright flavor profile.

Texture Contrast Champion: Pickled Cucumber Salad – A cool, crunchy pickled cucumber side dish provides a tangy, refreshing counterpoint to the crispy chicken, adding a palate-cleansing element that elevates the overall dining experience.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy golden chicken dances with tangy pineapple in this classic Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe from Chinese-American cuisine. Bold flavors and perfect balance make this dish a crowd-pleasing favorite that brings restaurant magic straight to your kitchen.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks

Vegetables and Fruits:

• 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)

Cooking and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)

Sweet and Sour Sauce:

• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Marinate the chicken chunks with soy sauce and cornstarch, ensuring each piece is thoroughly and evenly coated for maximum flavor absorption.
2. Prepare a large skillet or wok with vegetable oil, heating to a medium temperature that allows for even and crispy browning of the chicken.
3. Fry the marinated chicken pieces in batches, carefully turning each chunk to achieve a uniform golden-brown exterior, approximately 4-5 minutes per batch.
4. Transfer the crispy chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil and maintain crunchiness.
5. Create the sweet and sour sauce by whisking rice vinegar, sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, cornstarch, water, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan.
6. Simmer the sauce over medium heat, continuously stirring until it reaches a rich, glossy consistency and thickens, which typically takes 3-4 minutes.
7. In the same skillet used for frying, sauté red and green bell peppers, onion, and pineapple, cooking until the vegetables are tender yet retain a slight crispness.
8. Reintroduce the fried chicken to the skillet, combining it with the sautéed vegetables.
9. Pour the prepared sweet and sour sauce over the chicken and vegetables, gently tossing to ensure every piece is evenly coated and heated through.
10. Serve the vibrant sweet and sour chicken atop steamed rice, creating a delightful and satisfying meal.

Notes

• Ensure chicken pieces are evenly sized for consistent cooking and crispy exterior.
• Pat chicken dry before coating with cornstarch to achieve maximum crispiness and prevent soggy texture.
• Use high-quality rice vinegar for authentic tangy flavor that elevates the sauce.
• Customize vegetable mix by adding carrots, zucchini, or snap peas for extra nutrition and color variety.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg