Sweet and Sour Chicken | Crispy Chinese Sweet & Sour Chicken Recipe
Sweet and Sour Chicken is one of the most popular Chinese-inspired dishes, featuring crispy golden chicken pieces tossed in a vibrant sweet and tangy sauce with colorful bell peppers, onions, and juicy pineapple. This homemade version delivers restaurant-quality flavor with tender chicken, a perfectly crunchy coating, and a glossy sauce that balances sweetness, acidity, and savory notes in every bite.
The chicken is marinated, lightly battered, and fried until crispy before being combined with stir-fried vegetables and pineapple chunks. The signature sweet and sour sauce is made with ketchup, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic, creating a rich glaze that coats every piece beautifully. The combination of crunchy chicken, crisp vegetables, and fruity pineapple makes this dish both flavorful and satisfying.
Perfect for serving with steamed jasmine rice, fried rice, or noodles, Sweet and Sour Chicken is an excellent choice for family dinners, meal prep, or recreating your favorite Chinese takeout at home.
Cooking Method
- Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Coat each piece in the flour and cornstarch mixture.
- Dip into the beaten eggs and coat again lightly with the flour mixture.
- Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the chicken in batches for 4–5 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Remove and drain on paper towels.
Prepare the Sauce
- In a saucepan, combine the ketchup, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic.
- Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Mix the cornstarch with water to form a slurry.
- Stir the slurry into the sauce and cook until thickened.
Finish
- Stir-fry the bell peppers and onion for 3–4 minutes until slightly tender.
- Add the pineapple chunks.
- Return the fried chicken to the pan.
- Pour the sweet and sour sauce over everything.
- Toss gently until evenly coated and heated through.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.
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