How to Make Sweet and Sour Chicken: A Classic Chinese Takeout Dish

Learn how to make the classic Chinese takeout dish of Sweet and Sour Chicken with this easy recipe. Serve with rice and vegetables for a complete meal.

Sweet and Sour Chicken is a classic Chinese takeout dish that is loved for its crispy chicken pieces and tangy sauce. While it may seem complicated, this recipe is easy to follow and yields a delicious and satisfying meal that is perfect for a quick and easy dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup pineapple chunks, drained
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 cup water

Preparation:

1. In a shallow dish, mix together the cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the chicken pieces to the cornstarch mixture and toss to coat.
3. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
4. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and cook until crispy and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
6. In the same skillet, add the bell peppers and sauté until tender, about 3-5 minutes.
7. Add the pineapple chunks to the skillet and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
8. In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, cornstarch, and water.
9. Pour the sauce into the skillet with the bell peppers and pineapple and bring to a simmer.
10. Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
11. Serve immediately with rice.

Tips and Tricks:

• Adjust the amount of brown sugar to your desired level of sweetness.
• Use fresh pineapple if possible for the best flavor.
• Add additional vegetables such as onions or carrots for more color and nutrition.

Variants:

• Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for a different texture.
• Add cashews or peanuts for a crunchy texture.
• Make a vegetarian version with tofu or tempeh instead of chicken.

Sweet and Sour Chicken is a classic Chinese takeout dish that is perfect for a quick and easy dinner. This recipe is easy to follow and yields a delicious and satisfying meal that will satisfy your craving for Chinese food.