Cara's Classic Sweet & Sour Chicken Delight
This beloved family recipe from my dear friend Cara has been a staple at their dinner table for years. Infused with delightful flavors and a perfect balance of sweetness and a tangy twist, this one-dish meal is sure to become a favorite in your home as well. Whether enjoyed on a busy weeknight or at a gathering with friends and family, this crock pot chicken is a satisfying and mouthwatering dish that pairs beautifully with rice. The ease of preparation, combined with the slow-cooked tenderness of the chicken, makes it a standout choice for any occasion.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
4 breasts or 6-8 thighs (trimmed and cut into thirds)
garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon (for seasoning)
cornstarch
1/4 cup (for dredging)
eggs
2 (beaten well)
vegetable or peanut oil
2 tablespoons (for frying)
sugar or sugar substitute
1/4 cup (for sweetness)
rice vinegar or white vinegar
1/2 cup (for sauce)
chicken stock
1/4 cup (for sauce)
salt
1 dash (for seasoning)
catsup
3-4 tablespoons (to taste)
soy sauce
1 tablespoon (for sauce)
Instructions
1
Begin by trimming the chicken breasts or thighs of excess fat and gristle, then cut them into thirds to create bite-sized pieces.
2
Evenly sprinkle garlic salt on both sides of the chicken pieces. Place them in a covered container and refrigerate for at least one hour to let the flavors meld.
3
Preheat your crock pot to low, allowing it to warm up while you prepare the chicken.
4
After an hour, retrieve the chicken from the refrigerator. Set up two shallow pans: one with cornstarch and the other with beaten eggs.
5
Carefully dredge each chicken piece in the cornstarch until well coated, then dip into the beaten eggs, making sure to coat each piece thoroughly.
6
In a large skillet, heat the vegetable or peanut oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the dredged chicken pieces in batches, frying until they are golden brown, about 6 to 7 minutes on each side. Remove the cooked chicken and transfer it to the crock pot.
7
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar (or sugar substitute), vinegar, chicken stock, dash of salt, catsup, and soy sauce. Stir and let simmer until the sugar has completely dissolved and the ingredients are well mixed, taking care to taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
8
Pour the sauce mixture over the fried chicken pieces in the crock pot, ensuring that all pieces are well coated.
9
Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Once done, serve the sweet & sour chicken over a bed of rice and enjoy this deliciously comforting meal!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cara's Classic Sweet & Sour Chicken Delight?
It is a beloved family recipe that offers a perfect balance of sweetness and a tangy twist, prepared as a slow-cooked one-dish meal.
What kind of chicken is best for this recipe?
You can use either four boneless skinless chicken breasts or six to eight chicken thighs.
How should I prepare the chicken before cooking?
Trim the chicken of excess fat and gristle, then cut the pieces into thirds to create bite-sized portions.
How long should the chicken marinate with garlic salt?
After seasoning with garlic salt, the chicken should be refrigerated in a covered container for at least one hour.
What is the coating used for the chicken?
The chicken is first dredged in cornstarch and then dipped into well-beaten eggs before frying.
What type of oil should be used for frying?
Vegetable oil or peanut oil are the recommended choices for frying the chicken.
How long do I need to fry the chicken pieces?
Fry the dredged chicken pieces for about 6 to 7 minutes on each side until they are golden brown.
What ingredients are in the sweet and sour sauce?
The sauce consists of sugar (or sugar substitute), vinegar, chicken stock, a dash of salt, catsup, and soy sauce.
What temperature should the crock pot be set to?
The crock pot should be set to the low setting for both preheating and cooking.
How long does the chicken cook in the crock pot?
Once the sauce is added, cover and cook the chicken on low for 4 hours.
What should I serve with this chicken?
This sweet and sour chicken pairs beautifully when served over a bed of rice.
Can I use a sugar substitute?
Yes, the recipe allows for 1/4 cup of sugar or an equivalent sugar substitute to provide sweetness.
Which type of vinegar is recommended?
You can use either rice vinegar or white vinegar for the sauce.
Do I need to dissolve the sugar before adding the sauce to the crock pot?
Yes, you should simmer the sauce ingredients in a saucepan until the sugar has completely dissolved.
How much garlic salt is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt to be sprinkled evenly on the chicken.
Is it necessary to preheat the crock pot?
Yes, you should preheat your crock pot to low while you are preparing the chicken.
How much soy sauce is required?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of soy sauce to add depth to the sauce flavor.
Can I adjust the amount of catsup?
Yes, you can use 3 to 4 tablespoons of catsup, adjusting to your personal taste.
How many eggs are needed for the egg wash?
You will need 2 eggs, beaten well, for the coating process.
What is the purpose of the cornstarch?
Cornstarch is used to dredge the chicken pieces, helping create a crispy exterior when fried.
How much chicken stock is used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of chicken stock.
Is this recipe suitable for a busy weeknight?
Yes, its ease of preparation and the use of a slow cooker make it ideal for busy schedules.
Should I taste the sauce before adding it to the chicken?
Yes, the instructions recommend tasting and adjusting the seasoning of the sauce while it simmers.
What makes the chicken tender in this recipe?
The four-hour slow-cooking process in the crock pot ensures the chicken becomes tender.
Can I use vegetable oil instead of peanut oil?
Yes, either vegetable or peanut oil can be used for the frying step.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Common tags include crock pot, sweet and sour, chicken, one dish meal, family recipe, comfort food, and slow cooker.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The recipe uses 4 breasts or 6-8 thighs, which typically serves approximately 4 to 6 people.
Do I add the sauce before or after putting chicken in the crock pot?
You should transfer the fried chicken to the crock pot first, then pour the sauce mixture over the pieces.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 primary ingredients used to make this dish.
Who provided this recipe?
The recipe was shared by a friend named Cara and has been a staple in her family for years.