Sweet and Sour Chicken

Sweet and Sour Chicken: A Delicious Chinese-American Favorite

Introduction

Sweet and sour chicken is a popular dish in Chinese-American cuisine, known for its perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors.

This dish features crispy fried chicken pieces coated in a glossy, vibrant sauce made from a blend of sweet and tangy ingredients.

It’s a favorite at many Chinese restaurants and is surprisingly easy to recreate at home.

In this article, we’ll guide you through a simple recipe to make delicious sweet and sour chicken.

Ingredients

To prepare this mouthwatering sweet and sour chicken, you will need the following ingredients:

For the Chicken:

1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

1/2 cup of cornstarch

2 large eggs, beaten

1 cup of all-purpose flour

Vegetable oil for frying

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

1/2 cup of ketchup

1/2 cup of rice vinegar

1/2 cup of sugar

1/4 cup of soy sauce

1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water (slurry)

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

1/2 cup of pineapple chunks (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:

In a large bowl, coat the chicken pieces with cornstarch.

Dip each piece into the beaten eggs, then coat with all-purpose flour.

Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat.

Fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, rice vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.

Add the bell peppers and pineapple chunks (if using) to the sauce. Cook until the peppers are tender-crisp.

Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.

Combine Chicken and Sauce:

Add the fried chicken pieces to the saucepan and toss to coat them evenly with the sweet and sour sauce.

Serve and Enjoy:

Serve the sweet and sour chicken hot over steamed rice or alongside fried rice or noodles.

Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Tips and Variations

Vegetable Add-Ins: Add vegetables like carrots, onions, or snap peas for extra nutrition and flavor.

Pineapple Juice: Use pineapple juice instead of water in the cornstarch slurry for an extra sweet and tangy punch.

Baking Option: For a healthier version, bake the chicken pieces instead of frying them.

Conclusion

Sweet and sour chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that brings the flavors of your favorite Chinese restaurant right to your kitchen.

With its crispy chicken and tangy, sweet sauce, this dish is sure to be a hit with family and friends.

Follow this simple recipe to create a flavorful and satisfying meal that everyone will love.

Keywords

Sweet and sour chicken

Chinese-American cuisine

Homemade Chinese food

Crispy fried chicken

Sweet and tangy sauce

Easy Chinese recipes

Chicken stir-fry

Takeout favorite

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