When life is as busy as it often is, the last thing you want to have to do is spend hours in the kitchen. Enter this great sweet and sour chicken recipe—it’s a real lifesaver! Not only is it ready in 30 minutes, but it offers a quick, tasty dinner option perfect for hectic weeknights. Whether you’re making dinner for a family, wanting to blow guests away, or just indulging in yummy home cooking, this recipe’s got simplicity, bold flavors, and irresistible sweet-and-tangy balance up its sleeve.
And there you have it, restaurant-quality sweet and sour chicken that’s great for a weeknight or whenever.
Why You’ll Love This Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
A Perfect Meal for Busy Weeknights
Picture this: it’s a busy weeknight and you need something warm, filling, and fast to the table. This recipe for sweet and sour chicken is just that–the answer to your prayers. It takes less than 30 minutes to make and most of that time is spent baking, which means your hands are free to do something else.
Healthier and More Satisfying Than Takeout
Takeout is very tempting but it hides a lot of calories, too much sodium, and high costs. By making sweet and sour chicken entirely at home, you are the master of what goes into the dish, making it even healthier and fresher to have an affordable option also done at home. And there’s nothing like the satisfaction of enjoying a dish you’ve made from scratch.
Loved by Everyone
Well, this one isn’t just good it’s crowd-pleaser and all because of juicy chicken, crisp veggies, and then the luscious sweet and tangy sauce sure to appeal to both child and adult palettes. Use when having family dinners, family get-togethers, or prepare it for the week and it’ll disappear in no time.
The Ingredients You’ll Need for Sweet and Sour Chicken
Before you start cooking, make sure to have all your ingredients prepared. This recipe is built around simple, easy-to-find items, probably ingredients you may already have in your kitchen.
The Star of the Show: Chicken
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast | 1 lb (450g) | Cut into bite-sized cubes, and they will cook more evenly. |
Chicken breast is a lean protein that contributes mightily to the cause here. If you’d like, exchange it for chicken thighs for something a bit juicier.
Vibrant Vegetables for Crunch and Color
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bell peppers | 1 cup (mixed colors) | Crunch and vibrant color |
| Onion | 1 medium | Sweetness, depth |
| Pineapple chunks | 1 cup | Fresh or canned; doesn’t matter which kind is used |
It’s tri-color-symphony of red, green, and yellow bell peppers will not only look appetizing in the plates yet will bring a mouth-tearing crunch with a tender bite of chicken.
The Secret to the Perfect Sauce
The sauce is what makes this dish. A congruent blend of sweet, sour, and savory flavors that envelop the chicken and veggies is divine.
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vinegar | 1/4 cup | This is best when white vinegar or rice vinegar is used, gives it the tartness. |
| Ketchup | 1/4 cup | Gives richness plus a slight tomato tang. |
| Sugar | 1/3 cup | To taste – you may need more or less, to adjust the sweetness. |
| Soy sauce | 2 tbsp | To give it a bit of a savory umami punch. |
| Cornstarch | 1 tbsp | To help apply the finishing touches to that perfectly thickened sauce. |
Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This easy sweet and sour chicken recipe is a 30-minute meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. It combines juicy chicken, crispy vegetables, and a homemade sweet-and-tangy sauce for a dish that’s healthier and tastier than takeout. Serve it with rice for a complete meal!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb (450g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized cubes
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tablespoons oil, for cooking
For the Vegetables:
- 1 cup bell peppers, mixed colors, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 cup pineapple chunks, fresh or canned
For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- ¼ cup vinegar (white or rice vinegar)
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch, for thickening
Optional Add-Ons:
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil, for extra flavor
Instructions
-
Prepare the Ingredients:
- Cut the chicken into cubes and season with salt and pepper.
- Chop the bell peppers, onion, and pineapple.
- Mix all sauce ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
-
Cook the Chicken:
- Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove and set aside.
-
Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
- Add a little more oil if needed.
- Stir-fry the onions and bell peppers for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender.
- Add pineapple chunks and cook for another minute.
-
Combine Everything:
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.
- Pour the sauce over and stir well.
- Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and veggies.
-
Serve & Enjoy:
- Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice, fried rice, or noodles.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course, Asian-Inspired
- Cuisine: Chinese, Asian
Nutrition
- Calories: 300-400 kcal
- Sugar: 15-20g
- Sodium: 800-1000mg
- Fat: 10-15g
- Carbohydrates: 40-50g
- Fiber: 3-5g
- Protein: 30g
Keywords: Sweet and Sour Chicken
Optional Add-Ons
- Garlic and ginger: Add minced garlic and ginger for extra layers of flavor and aroma in the sauce.
- Sesame oil: Drizzle on top for a hint of toastiness.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Sweet and Sour Chicken
Preparation of the dish is easy since all processes are step by step. Any novice can easily follow the instruction to prepare and get a tasty product.
1 : Prepare your ingredients
- Chicken breast, cut into uniform cubes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Chop your bell peppers and onions into bite-sized pieces. If using fresh pineapple, chop it into chunks.
- Whisk together vinegar, ketchup, sugar, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Make sure it’s lump-free.
Pro Tip: Preparing all things in advance always makes the process of cooking smoother and quicker.
2 : Cook the chicken
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 1-2 tablespoons of oil to it.
- Now, put chicken cubes in it and keep on stir-frying until they turn golden brown from all sides and are cooked through (it should take about 5-7 minutes). Remove from skillet and keep aside.
3 : Stir-Fry the vegetables
- In the same skillet, if required, add some more oil.
- Add onions and bell peppers to the wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, or until tender-crisp.
- Add the pineapple chunks and stir-fry for another minute so they can get infused with the flavors.
4 : Combine everything
- Return the chicken back to the skillet.
- Pour the prepared sweet and sour sauce over the chicken and vegetables and toss together so the sauce coats everything evenly.
- Simmer the mixture for about 5-7 minutes or until the sauce thickens and glazes the chicken and veggies; stir occasionally.
Tips for Perfecting Your Sweet and Sour Chicken
Even basic recipes can have a couple of trade secrets up their sleeve. Here’s how to make that dish totally memorable:
How to Customize the Recipe
- Switch Up the Protein: Change it up with shrimp, pork, or try tofu for something vegetarian.
- Experiment with Veggies: Veggies: Zucchini, snap peas, and carrots also work well as alternatives or add-ons.
- Spice It Up: Spice It Up: Add a pinch of chili flakes or Sriracha for a bit of heat.
Pro Cooking Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet when cooking the chicken—it makes for a crispy, golden exterior.
- Fresh pineapple will give it a tangier and more vibrant flavor.
- Double the recipe for the sauce if you like to have lots of extra sauce to drizzle over rice.
Serving Suggestions for Sweet and Sour Chicken
This dish is versatile and pairs well with different side dishes, such as:
- Steamed Jasmine Rice: Steamed jasmine rice – Its very mild taste will go great with the strong flavors of the sauce.
- Fried Rice: Fried rice – Offers not only texture but an additional layer of flavor as well.
- Asian-Inspired Side Dishes: Asian-Inspired Side Dishes: Egg rolls, spring rolls, or even just a cucumber salad will all be great with this crunchy sweet and sour chicken.
Pro Tip: Toasted sesame seeds or chopped green onions – for garnish and added flavor
FAQs About Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe Easy
1. How Many Calories Are in Sweet and Sour Chicken?
Sweet and sour chicken is easily prepared by the following simple steps: cutting chicken into bite-sized pieces, frying to golden brown.
2. How Do You Make Sweet and Sour Chicken?
Stir fry some bell peppers, onions, and pineapple chunks.
- Make sauce by mixing vinegar, ketchup, sugar, soy sauce, and cornstarch.
- Add all these in a skillet along with the other ingredients pour the sauce and let it cook until thick.
See the steps in the recipe entry above.
3. What Is the Fat Content in Sweet and Sour Chicken?
The fat content is relative to the portion as well as the preparation and cut of the chicken – fat may be lowered using a low-fat cut like skinless breast meat, minimal oil, and breading. Normally, a serving of sweet and sour chicken carries an average fat content of about 10-15 grams; this is according to recipe tweaks.
4. What Is Traditional Sweet and Sour Sauce Made Of?
Traditional sweet and sour sauce depends on vinegar, sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, and sometimes pineapple juice as an accompanying fruit product. The right combination of these forms the classical essence of the sauce-tangy and sweet.
5. What Can I Use Instead of Pineapple Juice in Sweet and Sour Sauce?
Orange juice can be substituted for pineapple juice in the sweet and sour sauce.
- This gives a slightly different sweetness, but it also plays well with the other tangy flavors in the sauce. Taste it and maybe add more sugar to balance it out.
6. Can I Use Orange Juice Instead of Pineapple Juice in Sweet and Sour Sauce?
The fat content is relative to the portion as well as the preparation and cut of the chicken – fat may be lowered using a low-fat cut like skinless breast meat, minimal oil, and breading.
Why Homemade Beats Takeout Every Time
There is something just incredibly magical about being able to make something like sweet and sour chicken right in your home: not only saving you money but:
- Control: You pick the quality of the ingredients.
- Flavor: Fresh flavors made exactly to your liking.
- Health: No hidden additives, preservatives, or piles of sodium.
Try This Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe Today!
Now that you know how to make such sweet and sour chicken so easy, it’s time to let those flavors spring to life in your very own kitchen. Bring your ingredients together following the same steps and relish a dish that will win over your family, friends, or just yourself.
Let us know! How did it turn out for you, or what tweaks did you make? Share in the comments below. Looking for fast and yummy recipes? Visit our list of Asian-inspired dishes to get started cooking today.
Food isn’t just about the food but about building memories around sharing moments, so go on now grab that skillet.