Sweet and Sour Chicken
Sweet and sour chicken is a delicious and vibrant dish featuring crunchy chicken, colorful vegetables, and tangy sauce. Perfect for family dinners or takeout lovers!
Ingredients
For the Sweet and Sour Sauce
- 1 ¼ cup Sweet and Sour Sauce (store-bought or homemade) Either can be used, homemade sauce ensures freshness.
For the Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breasts (boneless skinless) Cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Kosher salt For seasoning.
- Freshly ground black pepper For seasoning.
- 2 quarts peanut or vegetable oil Plus 3 tablespoons for the batter.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ¼ cups water Used for the batter.
For the Vegetables
- 2 red bell peppers (cut into 1-inch pieces) Seeded and stem removed.
- 6 scallions (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 4 slices fresh pineapple (cut into 1-inch wedges)
For Serving
- servings White rice (cooked per package directions) Served underneath the chicken.
Instructions
Preparation
- Combine sugar, vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce in a bowl to make homemade sweet and sour sauce. Stir until well combined and set aside.
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Batter Preparation
- In a large bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and 3 tablespoons of water to create a batter.
Frying
- Heat the oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350°F, using a food thermometer.
- Dip chicken pieces into the batter, ensuring they are fully coated. Carefully place them in the hot oil in batches and fry until golden brown and cooked through (about 4-5 minutes). Remove with a kitchen spider skimmer and place on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
- In the same oil, fry the red bell peppers, scallions, and pineapple until they are slightly charred, then remove and drain.
Combine
- Combine the fried chicken and vegetables in a large bowl, drizzle with sweet and sour sauce, and toss to coat.
Notes
Serve hot over a bed of fluffy white rice. For extra flavor, sprinkle with sesame seeds or add chopped cilantro. Leftover sweet and sour chicken can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.