Description
Savor the deliciousness of Sweet and Sour Chicken, featuring crispy chicken pieces, vibrant vegetables, and a tangy sauce. This quick and easy dish is perfect for weeknight dinners and pairs wonderfully with rice for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup bell peppers (red, green, or yellow), chopped
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
- Cooked rice (for serving)
- Chopped green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Start by cutting the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and paprika.
- Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss them in the flour mixture until they are well coated.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the sugar, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and ketchup.
- Set the sauce aside for later use.
- In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil in batches and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- In the same skillet, add a little more oil if necessary, and toss in the chopped onion, bell peppers, and garlic. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
- Add the minced ginger and pineapple chunks to the skillet, and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Return the fried chicken to the skillet and pour the sweet and sour sauce over the chicken and vegetables, stirring to combine everything evenly.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
- To thicken the sauce, stir in the cornstarch mixed with water and keep stirring until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the heat once everything is well combined and the sauce has thickened.
- Serve the sweet and sour chicken over a bed of cooked rice.
- Garnish with chopped green onions for a fresh touch and a pop of color.
Notes
- For extra crunch, you can double fry the chicken pieces for a crispier texture.
- Feel free to customize the vegetables based on your preference or what you have on hand.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes