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Sweet and Sour Chicken

Cooking Method ,
Cuisine ,
Courses ,
Difficulty Beginner
Time
Prep Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Total Time: 35 mins
Description

Sweet and sour chicken is a beloved dish that combines crispy, golden-fried chicken with a tangy, sweet, and savory sauce. Vibrant pieces of bell pepper and juicy pineapple add bursts of freshness, making every bite a delightful mix of flavors and textures.

This Cantonese-style version is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for both family dinners and special occasions. The homemade sweet and sour sauce adds an extra layer of love, caramelizing slightly as it coats each piece of chicken. Whether it’s for a celebration or a cozy weeknight meal, sweet and sour chicken never fails to bring joy to the table.

Ingredients
    Maricel’s Sweet & Sour Sauce:
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized cubes
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch (for dredging)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
    Prepare the Chicken:
  1. Season the chicken cubes lightly with salt and pepper. In a bowl, mix the cornstarch and flour together.
  2. Dip each chicken piece in the beaten egg, then dredge it in the cornstarch-flour mixture, pressing gently to coat evenly.
    3. Fry the Chicken:
  3. In a deep pan or wok, heat about an inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
  4. Fry the chicken pieces in batches until they’re golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
    6. Prepare Maricel’s Sweet & Sour Sauce:
  6. Dissolve the cornstarch in 1/4 cup of water and set aside.
  7. In a small saucepan, mix the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
  8. Note: Adjust to your taste with vinegar and/or sugar at this point, once you add the slurry of cornstarch to thicken, you can not adjust the taste.
  9. Reduce the heat to a simmer, then stir in the cornstarch mixture to thicken.
  10. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
    11. Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
  11. In a clean pan or wok, add a small amount of oil and stir-fry the bell peppers and pineapple chunks until they’re just tender, about 2-3 minutes.
    12. Combine Everything:
  12. Add the fried chicken to the pan with the vegetables, then pour Maricel’s sweet and sour sauce over everything.
  13. Toss gently to coat the chicken and vegetables in the sauce, letting it caramelize slightly on the chicken.
    14. Serve:
  14. Serve the sweet and sour chicken hot, garnished with a sprinkle of green onions if desired, alongside steamed rice.
Maricel's Tips

For an extra kick, add a dash of chili flakes or a bit of grated ginger to the sauce! The heat pairs wonderfully with the tangy sweetness and makes the dish even more flavorful.

Read it online: https://maricelskitchen.com/recipe/sweet-and-sour-chicken/