Description
This easy sweet and sour chicken recipe delivers crispy fried chicken coated in a tangy-sweet homemade sauce. A quick, 30-minute meal that’s better than takeout!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
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1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
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½ cup cornstarch
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2 large eggs, beaten
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½ teaspoon salt
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¼ teaspoon black pepper
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¼ cup vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
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½ cup ketchup
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⅓ cup rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
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¼ cup sugar
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1 tablespoon soy sauce
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1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
Optional Add-Ins:
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½ cup pineapple chunks
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½ red bell pepper, chopped
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½ green bell pepper, chopped
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½ small onion, chopped
Instructions
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Prepare the Chicken
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Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
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Dredge in cornstarch, then dip into beaten eggs for an even coat.
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Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
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Fry chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy (4-5 minutes per side). Drain on paper towels.
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Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce
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In a saucepan, whisk together ketchup, rice vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce over medium heat.
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Bring to a simmer, then add the cornstarch slurry. Stir until thickened (1-2 minutes).
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Combine Everything
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In the same skillet (draining excess oil), stir-fry bell peppers, onion, and pineapple (if using) for 2-3 minutes.
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Return the crispy chicken and pour the sauce over the top, tossing until well coated.
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Cook for another 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat.
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Serve and Enjoy
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Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.
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Notes
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Healthier Option: Bake chicken at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
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Spicy Variation: Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or a drizzle of Sriracha.
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Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure cornstarch is gluten-free.
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Extra Crispiness: Double-coat the chicken in cornstarch before frying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: chinese-american
Keywords: sweet and sour chicken, crispy chicken, homemade takeout, Chinese chicken, easy dinner