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Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe

This Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe features crispy chicken chunks in a tangy, flavorful sauce made with vinegar, pineapple, and bell peppers—perfect for a homemade Chinese-inspired meal.
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Equipment

  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Large bowl
  • Whisk
  • Large skillet or wok
  • Paper towels
  • Plate or serving dish

Ingredients
  

  • For the Chicken:
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 egg beaten
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
  • ¾ cup pineapple juice from canned pineapple
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch for thickening
  • ½ cup pineapple chunks from a can, drained
  • ½ bell pepper cut into thin strips (optional)
  • ½ onion cut into thin strips (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Chicken:
  • In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  • Dip each chicken piece into the beaten egg, then coat with the flour mixture. Set aside.
  • Fry the Chicken:
  • Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  • Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces in batches. Fry for 3–4 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  • Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
  • Prepare the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, rice vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch.
  • In the same skillet (remove excess oil), add the pineapple juice mixture. Stir over medium heat until the sauce begins to simmer and thicken.
  • Once the sauce thickens, add the pineapple chunks, bell pepper, and onion (if using). Stir to combine and cook for 2–3 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
  • Combine the Chicken and Sauce:
  • Add the fried chicken to the skillet and toss to coat with the sweet and sour sauce. Stir well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated and heated through.
  • Serve:
  • Serve the Sweet and Sour Chicken over steamed rice or with stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.