Sweet & Sour Chicken Recipe
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Ingredients
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Chicken & Coating
Sweet & Sour Sauce
Vegetables & Add-ins
Garnish & Serving
Method
Chicken & Coating
- 1
Prep chicken
Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels so coating adheres. Season the pieces with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- 2
Set up dredge
Place beaten eggs in a shallow bowl. In another shallow dish, combine 1 cup cornstarch and 1 tablespoon flour and the remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Mix well.
- 3
Coat chicken
Working in batches, dip each chicken piece into the beaten eggs, letting excess drip off, then thoroughly coat with the cornstarch mixture. Place coated pieces on a wire rack or tray.
- 4
Heat oil
In a large skillet or wok, pour enough vegetable oil to reach about 1/2"–1" deep (about 1 cup). Heat over medium-high until the oil registers 350°F (175°C) or a small piece of coating sizzles and browns in about 30 seconds.
- 5
Sweet & Sour Sauce
- 6
Combine base
In a medium bowl or measuring cup, whisk together 1 cup pineapple juice, 1 tablespoon rice or white vinegar, 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon granulated sugar until smooth and sugar dissolves.
- 7
Make slurry
In a small bowl, stir 2 teaspoons cornstarch into 2 tablespoons cold water until fully dissolved to make a slurry.
- 8
Cook sauce
Wipe out most of the frying oil from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon to sautée vegetables. Return skillet to medium heat. Add minced garlic and grated ginger and sauté 20–30 seconds until fragrant. Add bell peppers and onion and stir-fry 2–3 minutes until slightly tender but crisp. Add pineapple chunks and pour in the prepared sauce mixture. Bring to a simmer, then stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer 1–2 minutes until sauce thickens to a glossy coating that clings to the back of a spoon.
Finish & Serve
- 9
Combine chicken and sauce
Add the fried chicken pieces to the skillet with the sauce and gently toss to coat. Cook together 1–2 minutes so chicken reheats and absorbs sauce.
- 10
Taste and adjust
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed: add up to 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce for saltiness, up to 1 tablespoon sugar for sweetness, or a little more vinegar for tang.
- 11
Plate
Serve the sweet & sour chicken over hot cooked rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired.