Valentina Ablaev
This easy Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe is a popular asian-inspired dish that can easily be recreated at home! The combination of crispy chicken, crunchy peppers, and tropical pineapple chunks smothered in a homemade sweet and tangy sauce tastes better than Chinese takeout.
If you love quick, restaurant copycat recipes, also try our homemade orange chicken take-out recipe and the iconic PF Chang’s inspired mongolian beef!
Recreating this restaurant-style Sweet and Sour Chicken at home is simpler and faster than you think. The chicken is fried until crisp and juicy, then coated in a lightly sweet and tangy sauce. The onions and peppers balance the sweetness of the pineapple chunks in the dish. Skip the trip to Panda Express next time and make this healthier, homemade takeout!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Save money. Cheaper to make at home than going out!
- Quick to make. Comes together in 30 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner!
- No additives. Great flavor without the additives found in traditional restaurant meals.
- Healthier than fried. The chicken is sauteed not deep fried, making it healthier than takeout!
Ingredients:
- Skinless chicken breasts – cut into 1” bite-sized pieces.
- Eggs – help the breading to adhere. Whisk the eggs in a bowl.
- Breading – seasoning and a combination of corn starch and flour give the chicken a light and crispy coating.
- Vegetables – a blend of red and green bell peppers.
- Pineapple – fresh pineapple cut into chunks adds the perfect sweetness and tang. You can also add pineapple juice!
- Sauce – a combination of brown sugar, vinegar, ketchup, and low sodium soy sauce makes the perfect sweet and sour sauce.
- Garnish – an optional garnish of sesame seeds or green onions.
Pro Tip: Restaurants use a wok, and that’s what gives dishes like this that iconic flavor. If you have one, this is the time to use it! However, a regular frying pall will still give you a delicious result.
How to Make Sweet and Sour Chicken:
This classic recipe for traditional chicken sweet and sour requires little prep time and cook time, so make sure all your ingredients are prepped in advance. I like to cut the chicken, vegetables and pineapple before I start cooking.
- Dip the chicken into the seasoned egg mixture.
- Tap excess egg off each chicken piece and dip into flour mixture.
- To a hot frying pan, add oil and lightly fry the chicken on each side over medium-high heat.
- Remove the chicken from the pan once cooked, and then add butter, green and red bell peppers, onion, and pineapple. Cook until vegetables are tender.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients.
- Add the chicken back to the pan and pour in the sauce. Cook the sauce until it begins to bubble and thicken. Finish with garnish and enjoy!
| Expert Tip: Be sure the oil is hot before adding the chicken to saute to achieve a crispy finish. |
Substitutions and Variations:
Chinese food recipes are different everywhere you try them. Create your own version by trying some of these variations:
- Different veggies: The American twist on Chinese sweet and sour chicken is traditionally made with bell peppers, onions, and pineapple, but you can throw in other vegetables you have. Try adding broccoli, mushrooms, chopped carrots, or peas!
- Adjust heat: If you’d like the sauce to be spicy, add red pepper flakes or some hot sauce to the prepared sauce.
- Use ACV: You can substitute the white vinegar for Apple Cider Vinegar if you prefer.
Make-ahead:
The sweet and sour chicken may easily be made up to one day in advance. Be sure to keep the different ingredients in a separate bowl until ready to serve.
1. Cube chicken and add to egg and seasoning mixture. Cover and refrigerate.
2. Cut the vegetables and pineapple and keep them refrigerated.
3. Combine ingredients in the sauce and keep in the fridge.
4. Before serving, finish the recipe per instructions and enjoy.
Serving Suggestions:
Since this recipe already has protein, it’s satisfying on its own. If you want to add something to the side, you can try these options:
- Grains: Serve over a bed of White Rice, brown rice, or quinoa for a healthier option.
- Egg rolls: Pair with your favorite egg rolls, either frozen or homemade!
- Fried Rice: Serve over Fried Rice (omit the chicken) for extra flavor.
- Noodles: This chicken would pair well with your favorite noodles!
Frequently Asked Questions?
The two dishes are similar, but General Tso’s has more ginger and spice, while sweet and sour chicken has more sweet elements from the sugar and ketchup.
Yes! Add the breaded chicken to a lightly oiled air fryer basket and lightly spray the chicken with cooking oil spray. Cook at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through for an even crisp on the coating.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, make a cornstarch slurry by mixing 2 tablespoons of cold water with a tablespoon of cornstarch. Add to the sauce to thicken.
Yes, you can absolutely use canned pineapple with great results.
Store & Reheat:
- Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You may want to store pineapple separately as it could break down the chicken and make it mus
- Freeze: We do not recommend freezing this recipe.
- Reheat: Reheat in a pan over low-medium heat. Keep in mind that leftovers will be less crisp than when the meal is fresh.
More Asian-Inspired Recipes:
If you enjoyed this sweet and sour chicken recipe, be sure to try our other popular chicken recipes:
Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts, cut into 1" chunks
- 2 eggs beaten
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground pepper
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 Tbsp extra-light olive oil, for sauteing
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2" to 1" chunks
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/2" to 1" chunks
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1/2 sweet onion cut, cut into 1/2" to 1" chunks
- 3 cloves garlic minced
sauce-
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 3 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- sesame seeds, optional (for garnish)
- green onion, optional (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk eggs and season with the salt and pepper. Add the chicken pieces and stir to coat in egg mixture.
- In a different mixing bowl, add the cornstarch and flour and combine.
- Coat the chicken with the cornstarch/flour mixture on all sides.
- Heat the oil over medium-high to high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add chicken in batches and cook until all of the chicken is cooked. Transfer cooked chicken to a baking sheet.
- In the same skillet, add the butter, bell peppers, pineapples and onion and cook until tender 3-4 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the ingredients for the sauce: the sugar, brown sugar, vinegar, ketchup and soy sauce until combined.
- Add the chicken to the vegetables, pour in the sauce and cook until it starts to bubble and thickens and the chicken is reheated.
- Serve with sesame seeds or green onion to garnish, totally optional.
