Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe

Sweet and Sour Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish known for its tangy and sweet flavor profile. It typically consists of crispy chicken pieces coated in a vibrant, flavorful sauce made from ingredients like vinegar, sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, and sometimes pineapple juice. The dish often includes vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and pineapple chunks, adding a variety of textures and flavors. It’s commonly served over rice or noodles.

Here’s a simple recipe if you’re interested:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup water
• Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Sauce:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice (optional)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (for thickening)

For the Vegetables:

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Gradually add water to create a thick batter. Dip the chicken pieces into the batter.
2. Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a pan or deep fryer to 375°F (190°C). Fry the chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-6 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
3. Make the Sauce: In a saucepan, combine sugar, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, and pineapple juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for a few minutes. Stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook until thickened.
4. Cook the Vegetables: In a separate pan, stir-fry the bell peppers, onion, and pineapple chunks until tender-crisp.
5. Combine: Toss the fried chicken with the sauce and cooked vegetables until evenly coated.
6. Serve: Serve hot over rice or noodles.

Enjoy your homemade Sweet and Sour Chicken!