Description
This Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken is a perfect blend of crispy chicken pieces and a tangy-sweet sauce that you can make in no time! It’s quick, delicious, and packed with flavor, making it a perfect dish for busy weeknights. The crispy chicken is coated in a mouthwatering sauce with a balance of sweet and sour that will leave everyone coming back for more.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- :
- For the chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup water
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- For the sweet and sour sauce:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
- 1/2 cup pineapple chunks (optional, for added sweetness)
Instructions
- :
- Prepare the chicken:
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the beaten egg and water, and stir until you have a smooth batter.
- Coat the chicken:
- Dip each chicken piece into the batter, ensuring it’s fully coated. Shake off any excess batter.
- Fry the chicken:
- Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot (you can test by dropping a small bit of batter in—it should sizzle), add the chicken pieces in batches. Fry for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Remove the chicken and drain on paper towels.
- Make the sweet and sour sauce:
- In a small saucepan, combine the ketchup, white vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, garlic powder, and ginger. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir frequently to ensure the sugar dissolves completely.
- Thicken the sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Add this to the simmering sauce and stir until it thickens (about 1-2 minutes). If you’re adding pineapple, stir in the chunks at this point.
- Combine the chicken and sauce:
- Add the fried chicken pieces to the saucepan with the sweet and sour sauce. Toss gently to coat all the chicken in the sauce.
- Serve:
- Serve the sweet and sour chicken immediately with steamed rice or your favorite side dishes. Garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions if desired.
Notes
- :
- For a lighter version, you can bake the chicken pieces in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- You can also add vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and pineapple to the sauce for added flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 60mg