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The BEST Easy Sweet And Sour Chicken

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  • Author: Maria B. Evans
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Chinese-American

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