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Sweet and Sour Chicken

Sweet and Sour Chicken: Easy Comfort Food You’ll Love

Sweet and Sour Chicken is a delightful takeout classic that you can easily make at home in under 45 minutes.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts Cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • ¼ cup cornstarch Can substitute with potato starch for a gluten-free option.
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil For frying the chicken; can use canola or peanut oil.
For the Vegetables
  • 1 medium red bell pepper Adds sweetness; orange can be used as a substitute.
  • 1 medium green bell pepper Provides balance; yellow works well too.
  • 1 medium onion Offers a tender, sweet flavor when stir-fried.
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks Fresh or canned in juice can be used.
For the Sauce
  • ½ cup vinegar White or apple cider vinegar; rice vinegar can be substituted.
  • ¼ cup ketchup Can replace with tomato paste for richer taste.
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce Tamari can be used as a gluten-free alternative.
  • ¾ cup sugar Reduce if less sweetness is desired.
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic Fresh garlic preferred for stronger flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger Ground ginger can be substituted.
  • Salt and pepper To taste.
Optional Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons water To adjust sauce consistency if needed.
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch For thickening the sauce.

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Mixing Bowl

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and coat with cornstarch.
  2. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet and cook the chicken until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. In the same skillet, sauté the bell peppers and onion until slightly soft, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Mix together the sauce ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
  5. Return the chicken to the skillet and pour the sauce over. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
  6. Add pineapple chunks to the mixture and simmer for about 5 minutes.
  7. For thickening, mix cornstarch with water and stir into skillet. Cook until thickened.
  8. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve over rice or noodles.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 25gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 2gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 80mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat gently to maintain texture.

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