Crispy Sweet & Sour Chicken Delight
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of homemade Crispy Sweet & Sour Chicken, a delightful dish that brings the authenticity of your favorite Chinese takeout right into your kitchen. This recipe combines tender, juicy chicken coated in a crispy shell, with a tangy and tantalizing sweet and sour sauce made from scratch. Loaded with colorful vegetables, including bell peppers and fresh pineapple, this dish not only tempts your taste buds but also provides a burst of nutrition. Better yet, it allows you to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal for just $3 per plate, making it a budget-friendly option for family lunches or snacks. Serve it over fluffy white rice for a complete and satisfying meal that family and friends will love.
N/A
Servings
430
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken Breast
1 lb (boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces)
Ketchup
1 cup (none)
Distilled White Vinegar
1 cup (none)
Flour
1 cup (none)
Water
1 cup (none)
Garlic Powder
1 tablespoon (none)
Cornstarch
3 tablespoons (none)
Pineapple
1/2 cup (chopped)
Sugar
3 tablespoons (none)
Salt
1 tablespoon (none)
Sunflower Oil
3 cups (for frying)
Bell Pepper
1 cup (chopped)
Onion
1/4 cup (minced)
Instructions
1
Rinse the chicken breast thoroughly under cold water and pat it dry. Cut into bite-sized pieces, roughly the size of your fingertip.
2
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt from the tablespoon. Coat each piece of chicken with the flour mixture until well covered.
3
In a large skillet or wok, heat the sunflower oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
4
While the oil heats, prepare the sweet and sour sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine the distilled white vinegar, water, and ketchup. Whisk these ingredients together until thoroughly mixed, then bring to a boil over medium heat.
5
Once the sauce reaches a boil, reduce the heat and add the sugar, remaining salt, garlic powder, chopped pineapple, bell pepper, and minced onion. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the sauce appears too thin, gradually mix in a teaspoon of cornstarch until it reaches the desired thickness.
6
When the oil is hot, carefully add the dredged chicken pieces in batches (to avoid overcrowding) and fry until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
7
Add the crispy chicken to the saucepan with the sweet and sour sauce on low heat. Toss the chicken in the sauce until every piece is well coated, then cook together for an additional 2-3 minutes.
8
Serve the dish warm over freshly steamed white rice for a delightful meal.
Nutrition Information
17.5g
Fat
52.5g
Carbs
27.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crispy Sweet & Sour Chicken Delight?
It is a homemade version of the classic Chinese takeout dish featuring tender chicken in a crispy shell with a tangy sauce, bell peppers, and pineapple.
How much does this recipe cost to make?
This budget-friendly meal costs approximately $3 per plate.
What type of chicken is required for this recipe?
You will need 1 lb of boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are 430 calories per serving.
What is the protein content of this dish?
This recipe provides 27.5g of protein per serving.
What are the nutritional values for fat and carbohydrates?
Each serving contains 17.5g of fat and 52.5g of carbohydrates.
What vegetables are included in the recipe?
The dish includes 1 cup of chopped bell peppers and 1/4 cup of minced onion.
Does this sweet and sour chicken contain fruit?
Yes, it includes 1/2 cup of chopped pineapple for a burst of flavor and nutrition.
How do I prepare the chicken coating?
Combine flour, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl and coat each piece of chicken thoroughly.
What ingredients make up the sweet and sour sauce?
The sauce is made from distilled white vinegar, water, ketchup, sugar, salt, and garlic powder.
What kind of oil should be used for frying?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of sunflower oil for frying the chicken.
How long should the chicken be fried?
Fry the dredged chicken pieces in batches for 4-5 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.
How long should the sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer for about 10 minutes after adding the vegetables and pineapple.
How do I thicken the sweet and sour sauce?
If the sauce is too thin, you can gradually mix in a teaspoon of cornstarch until it reaches your desired consistency.
What is the recommended serving suggestion?
Serve the warm chicken and sauce over freshly steamed white rice.
How much ketchup is used in the sauce?
The recipe requires 1 cup of ketchup.
What is the amount of vinegar needed?
You will need 1 cup of distilled white vinegar.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of sugar.
What heat setting should be used for the frying oil?
Heat the sunflower oil over medium-high heat until it is shimmering.
Is it necessary to rinse the chicken?
Yes, the instructions suggest rinsing the chicken breast under cold water and patting it dry before cutting.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 ingredients in total.
What size should the chicken pieces be?
The chicken should be cut into bite-sized pieces, roughly the size of a fingertip.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and a homemade comfort food option.
Can this dish be served for lunch?
Yes, it is tagged as suitable for both lunch and dinner.
How much cornstarch is used in the coating?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of cornstarch total, part of which is used for the coating.
What is the prep for the garlic?
This recipe uses 1 tablespoon of garlic powder rather than fresh garlic.
How much water is needed for the sauce?
One cup of water is required for the sweet and sour sauce base.
How much salt is used?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of salt, divided between the coating and the sauce.
Should the chicken be tossed in the sauce while cooking?
Yes, add the crispy chicken to the sauce and cook together on low heat for 2-3 minutes to coat every piece.
What are the primary flavor tags for this recipe?
The tags include sweet and sour, chicken, Chinese, and budget-friendly.