Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Few dishes bring as much vibrant flavor to the table as Sweet and Sour Chicken. With its irresistible combination of crispy-battered chicken and a glossy, tangy sauce, this recipe delights both kids and adults. The sweet and tart notes, paired with pops of juicy pineapple and colorful bell peppers, make it a show-stopping choice—perfect for easy weeknight dinners or festive family occasions.

Why This Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe Stands Out

The star of this recipe is its delicious balance—golden, crunchy chicken smothered in a homemade sauce that’s neither too sweet nor too sour. The result is a dinner that offers a flavorful escape from takeout, without sacrificing ease or approachable ingredients. Once you try this version, you’ll find yourself craving it again and again.

How to Create the Classic Sweet and Sour Sauce

This sauce starts with pantry staples: ketchup, vinegar, and brown sugar. The addition of soy sauce, fresh garlic, and pineapple juice gives it exceptional depth. Whisking the sauce before adding it to the pan ensures a smooth, glossy coating that clings beautifully to every piece of chicken.

Frying the Chicken to Crispy Perfection

Bite-sized chicken pieces are tossed in cornstarch and a light egg batter, then fried until they develop an irresistible crunch. For the best results, fry in batches to keep the oil temperature high and achieve that classic, golden coating. Drain the chicken briefly before combining it with sautéed vegetables and sauce for ultimate crispiness.

Serving Suggestions for Sweet and Sour Chicken

This dish is at its best served immediately, spooned over fluffy steamed rice or alongside fresh jasmine rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for a hint of crunch and color. For a complete meal, add a side of sautéed broccoli or snap peas to balance flavors and nutrition.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe yields approximately 4 to 6 servings. Each serving contains roughly 400–460 calories, depending on serving size and whether you opt for white or brown rice. It’s a balanced choice for a special dinner night or weekend treat.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe (Recap)

This homemade version brings the classic Chinese restaurant favorite to your own kitchen—crispy chicken, bold sauce, and plenty of fresh veggies for color and crunch. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and streamlined weekly meal planning.

Instructions

1. Batter the Chicken: In one bowl, toss chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and cornstarch. In a separate bowl, beat eggs. Dip the coated chicken first in egg, then again lightly in cornstarch for extra crispiness.
2. Fry the Chicken: Heat an inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Fry chicken in batches for 4–5 minutes, turning for even browning. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
3. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and pineapple juice. Heat sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. Once simmering, stir in dissolved cornstarch to thicken. Set aside.
4. Stir-Fry Vegetables: Pour out the frying oil, leaving about a tablespoon. Add bell peppers and onion, and sauté for 2–3 minutes until crisp-tender. Stir in pineapple chunks.
5. Combine Everything: Return fried chicken to the pan with the vegetables. Pour sauce over, toss to coat evenly. Sauté for another 2–3 minutes so everything is hot and beautifully glazed.
6. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds, then serve immediately with steamed rice.

Weekly Meal Planning

Sweet and Sour Chicken is a fantastic candidate for make-ahead meal prep and weeknight planning. Save and schedule this recipe to automatically add it—and all its ingredients—to your custom shopping list.

Planning Benefits:

• Aggregates total ingredient amounts when planning multiple meals.
• Organizes your shopping list by grocery store sections for faster trips.
• Avoids forgotten ingredients and duplicate purchases—no more buying too many onions!
• Simplifies meal prep, so your weekly dinners come together effortlessly.

Pro tip: Scheduling your week’s meals with CookifyAI helps you spot ingredient overlaps—if another meal needs bell peppers or eggs, it totals them for you, maximizing efficiency and minimizing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Enjoy the unmistakable flavors of your favorite takeout, freshly made at home, and let CookifyAI take the hassle out of meal planning and shopping!