Sweet and Sour Chicken

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Sweet and Sour Chicken

Crispy, golden chicken pieces tossed in a vibrant, tangy-sweet sauce with stir-fried vegetables—this Sweet and Sour Chicken is a crowd-pleasing classic that’s easy to make at home. Skip the takeout and create this delicious dish in your own kitchen in under 30 minutes!

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

  • Vegetable oil, for shallow frying (plus 1 tbsp)
  • 500g (about 1 lb) boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour

For the Vegetables:

  • 1 onion, cut into wedges
  • 1 tomato, cut into wedges
  • 3 spring onions, sliced

For the Sweet & Sour Sauce:

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
  • 1 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp white vinegar
  • ⅓ cup pineapple juice
  • 2 tsp cornflour (cornstarch) + 2 tbsp water

Instructions

1. Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, and pineapple juice. Bring to a simmer and cook for a few minutes until the sugar dissolves.

In a small bowl, mix cornflour with water to make a slurry. Stir this into the sauce and simmer for another 2 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.

2. Prepare and Fry the Chicken:

In a large bowl, toss the chicken pieces with soy sauce, minced garlic, and pepper. Let sit for 10 minutes if time allows.

Place flour in a separate bowl. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour, ensuring even coating.

Heat about 1 inch (3 cm) of oil in a large frying pan over high heat. When the oil is hot (a chicken piece should sizzle immediately), fry the chicken in batches for 2–3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and fully cooked. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

3. Stir-Fry the Vegetables:

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a clean wok or large pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and stir-fry until just turning golden. Add the tomato and cook for another 30 seconds.

4. Combine and Serve:

Return the fried chicken to the pan. Pour in the prepared sweet and sour sauce and stir to coat everything evenly. Toss in the spring onions and cook for another 30 seconds.

Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Serving Suggestions:

Pair this dish with jasmine rice, fried rice, or noodles. For extra flavor, top with sesame seeds or serve alongside stir-fried broccoli or bell peppers.

 

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