Sweet and Sour Chicken - Balancing Motherhood (2024)

My family loves Chinese take out, but I realized it’s not a healthy way to eat – and the cost adds up quickly for a family. That’s when I decided to create my own version of one of our favorite take out entrees. This easy recipe for Sweet and Sour Chicken will make you forget all about Chinese takeout. With every bite, you’ll get mouth-watering, bite-sized pieces of crispy chicken, sweet pineapple, peppers, and onions, all coated in a tangy sauce. And, it’s on the table in 30 minutes.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe

Sweet and sour chicken is the most popular recipe at most Chinese restaurants and it’s for good reason. The chicken is pan-fried until crispy and tender, then coated with a sauce that has the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. And now, with my easy recipe, you can make sweet and sour chicken at home anytime those takeout cravings hit.

My family loves this recipe and it’s often on repeat on my menu plan.

The chicken is juicy and tender, while the bright colors from the pineapple, peppers, and onions make it look as good as it tastes. I like to spoon some of the extra sauce over noodles or fluffy white rice for a complete meal. The combination of textures and flavors will have everyone coming back for more.

If your family loves Chinese food as much as mine, you’ll also want to try this Instant Pot Orange Chicken and this Easy Beef and Broccoli.

Why We Love This Recipe

• Better than takeout –This restaurant-style sweet-and-sour chicken is so fresh and tastes so much better than takeout.
• Incredible flavors –The easy homemade sweet and sour sauce gives the chicken and veggies an amazing flavor.
• Great freezer meal –This is awonderful recipe to freeze for those nights when you need a last-minute tasty meal.

Recommended Tools

• Shallow bowls
• Forks
• Plates
• Paper kitchen towel
• Large skillet
• Small bowl

Ingredients

• Skinless boneless chicken thighs, diced – we used boneless and skinless chicken thighs, but you can use boneless and skinless chicken breast.
• Eggs – Use to create the egg wash.
• Cornstarch – Creates the crispy crust.
• Vegetable oil – Used for frying, you can use light olive oil if you prefer.
• Onions – Yellow or white onions peeled and roughly chopped.
• Bell peppers – red bell peppers and green bell peppers, diced.
• Garlic cloves – Fresh garlic cloves taste best in this recipe, but you can use minced garlic in the jar.
• Pineapple – Use canned pineapple in juice because the juice will also be used. Either buy pineapple chunks or pineapple rings and chop them into chunks.
• Brown sugar – The rich flavor of brown sugar tastes best in the recipe, however, you can use regular granulated sugar.
• Apple cider vinegar – Add the perfect tang to the sauce ingredients. You can use white vinegar or rice vinegar instead.
• Tomato ketchup and oyster sauce – Add flavor and color to the sauce.
• Salt and black pepper –Added to taste.
• Sesame seeds – Sprinkled over the top for garnishing. (optional)

How to Make Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken

Step One: Pan-fry the Chicken

• Crack the eggs into a shallow bowl, and whisk until well combined with a fork.

• Add the corn starch to another bowl.
• Dip each piece of the diced chicken into the beaten egg, draining off any excess egg. Dredge the chicken into the cornstarch and gently shake off any excess. Transfer to a plate.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the chicken in batches in a single layer in the hot oil until golden brown on all sides and no longer pink inside. Set aside on a clean plate lined with paper towels.

Step Two: Add the Vegetables

• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in the skillet. Add the onions and bell pepper, and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until the garlic is fragrant.

Step Three: Make the Sauce

• Add the brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, reserved pineapple juice, tomato ketchup and oyster sauce. Stir frequently until heated through.
• Combine the 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl and stir until well combined. Add to the skillet and stir to combine.

Step Four: Add the Pineapple and Chicken and Serve

• Add the pineapple to the skillet along with the cooked chicken. Stir to combine, and simmer until heated through and the sauce has thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Garnish the chicken with sesame seeds, if using, before serving.

Storage Instructions

• Refrigerator –Place the cooled leftovers in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3–4 days.
• Freezer –To freezer, transfer the chicken and sauce to a freezer-safe container or bag, making sure to remove as much air as possible. It can be frozen for up to 2–3 months.
• Reheating –When you’re ready to enjoy it again, thaw overnight in the fridge. Then, the next day, reheat the sweet and sour chicken gently in a skillet over medium heat or the microwave.

Recipe Variations and Add-ins

Next time you make this tasty dish, try some of these variations to change up the flavors and textures:

• Other vegetables –You can add other vegetables like sliced carrots, snow peas, broccoli florets, or water chestnuts for extra crunch and nutrition.
• Add some spice –If you like a bit of heat, add some crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture.
• Fresh herbs –Add fresh herbs like cilantro or green onions for a pop of freshness.
• Nuts –For a nutty flavor and texture, sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds, chopped peanuts, or cashews over the finished dish before serving.
• Pork –Instead of chicken thighs or breasts, you can use pork loin or pork tenderloin.
• Other fruit –Mix up the fruit component by swapping the pineapple for mandarin oranges or mango.
• More Asian flavors –For more Asian flavor, you can add a little bit of fresh ginger, soy sauce, or hoisin sauce.

Can You Make This Recipe in the Slow Cooker?

Sure! In fact, I have a wonderful recipe for Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

What Goes with This Dish?

This Chinese-inspired main dish is always a huge hit, served over steamed white rice, brown rice, or fried rice. But if you prefer, you can serve it with a side of stir-fried veggies, lo Mein or chow Mein noodles, or Asian coleslaw.

How is Sweet and Sour Chicken Different than General Tso’s Chicken?

Sweet and sour chicken is different because it has a fruity, tangy taste from either canned or freshpineapple, bell peppers, and onions. The chicken is pan-fried and coated in a bright, sweet, and sour sauce.

General Tso’s chicken, on the other hand, is savory and a bit spicy. The chicken is deep-fried and covered in a thick, rich sauce made with soy sauce and chili peppers. It has a darker, more spicy flavor.

More Tasty Chicken Recipes

• Chicken Tetrazzini
• Crack Chicken Soup
• Chinese Chicken Salad
• Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Homemade Chicken and Dumplings
• Neiman Marcus Salad
• Chicken Enchiladas
• Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
• Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken
• Copycat Chick-fil-a Chicken