Irresistible Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe You’ll Love

When you think of comfort food, the tantalizing flavors of a sweet and sour chicken recipe dance in your mind. Imagine crispy chicken pieces glazed in a shiny, tangy sauce that balances sweetness and acidity, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that makes your stomach rumble in anticipation.

This dish is not just about taste; it evokes memories of family dinners filled with laughter and stories, where everyone fights for the last piece because it’s simply that good. Whether you’re whipping this up on a busy weeknight or impressing guests at a dinner party, this sweet and sour chicken recipe is sure to create delicious moments worth savoring.

I still remember the first time I made this dish for my friends. They raved about it all evening, with one even asking if I’d secretly become a gourmet chef.

Essential Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: I usually use about 3-4 chicken breasts, but adjust based on how many people you’re feeding.

• Fresh Bell Peppers: Choose vibrant colors like red and yellow for added sweetness and visual appeal.

• Onion: A medium-sized onion will do; it adds depth and flavor to the dish.

• Pineapple Chunks: Fresh or canned works well; they bring a juicy sweetness to balance the savory elements.

• Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic adds an aromatic punch; chop finely for maximum flavor impact.

• Soy Sauce: Use low-sodium soy sauce to control saltiness while still enjoying that umami kick.

• Rice Vinegar: This adds the necessary tanginess; opt for unseasoned rice vinegar for best results.

• Brown Sugar: Sweetness is key here; adjust according to your preference for balance.

• Cornstarch: Essential for thickening your sauce, creating that luscious glaze we all love.

• Cooking Oil: Use vegetable oil or sesame oil for frying; both will enhance flavors beautifully.

The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

Let’s Make it together

Prepare Your Chicken: Start by cutting your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Pat them dry with paper towels to ensure they get crispy when cooked.

Create Your Sauce Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. The mix should be glossy and well-combined.

Sauté the Vegetables: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and bell peppers. Sauté until they soften and turn fragrant—about 5 minutes.

Fry the Chicken Pieces: Push the veggies aside in the skillet and add the chicken pieces. Cook until golden brown on all sides—approximately 8-10 minutes—flipping them occasionally.

Add Pineapple and Sauce Mix: Once your chicken is cooked through, toss in pineapple chunks followed by your sauce mixture. Stir well to coat everything evenly while cooking until thickened—around 3-5 minutes.

Serve It Up!: Once your dish reaches that sticky perfection, serve it over steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds or fresh herbs if desired.

This sweet and sour chicken recipe not only delivers mouthwatering flavors but also brings joy to any table! Your friends will be begging you for seconds—and maybe even thirds!

Perfecting the Cooking Process

Start by marinating the chicken to enhance flavor, then sear it for a crispy texture before adding vegetables and sauce.

Add Your Touch

Consider swapping chicken with tofu or shrimp for a different protein option. You can also add pineapple chunks for extra sweetness.

Storing & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat on the stovetop for best results, adding a splash of water.

Sharing this recipe always brings back memories of family gatherings where my sweet and sour chicken stole the show; everyone wanted seconds!

FAQ

Can I make this sweet and sour chicken recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead, just combine them just before serving.

What can I substitute for bell peppers in this recipe?

You can use broccoli, snap peas, or carrots as delicious alternatives to bell peppers.

Is it possible to make this dish spicy?

Yes! Add some crushed red pepper flakes or chili sauce to the sauce mixture for heat.

Print

Sweet and Sour Chicken

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

• Author: Maria Del
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sweet and sour chicken is the ultimate comfort food, combining crispy chicken pieces with a vibrant, tangy sauce. This easy-to-make dish fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas and brings family and friends together at the table. Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests, this recipe is sure to delight everyone.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
• 1 cup fresh bell peppers (mixed colors)
• 1 medium onion
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
• 3 garlic cloves
• 4 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp cooking oil (vegetable or sesame)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and pat dry.
2. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and cornstarch until smooth.
3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat; sauté chopped onions and bell peppers until softened (about 5 minutes).
4. Add chicken to the skillet; cook until golden brown on all sides (8-10 minutes).
5. Stir in pineapple chunks and sauce mixture; cook until thickened (3-5 minutes).
6. Serve over steamed rice or noodles, garnished with sesame seeds if desired.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup (240g)
• Calories: 335
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 75mg