Crispy Sweet and Sour Chicken Delight
Indulge your taste buds with this Crispy Sweet and Sour Chicken Delight, reminiscent of your favorite Chinese restaurant experience. Succulent pieces of chicken breast are marinated in a flavorful blend of ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar, soaking up all the delicious flavors for maximum tenderness and moisture. Enveloped in a light, crispy batter and finished with a vibrant sweet and sour sauce, every bite is a delightful balance of savory and tangy notes. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this dish is sure to become a staple in your home; I hope your loved ones enjoy it as much as mine do!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breast
1 lb (cut into 1/2 inch cubes)
ketchup
2 tablespoons
water
1 cup
vinegar
1/2 cup
soy sauce
1 tablespoon
brown sugar
1 cup (packed)
butter
1/4 cup (melted)
cornstarch
2 tablespoons
cornstarch
2 tablespoons
red food coloring
3 drops
all-purpose flour
1 cup
baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons
eggs
2
vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon
sugar
1 teaspoon
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine ketchup, water, vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar to create a marinade.
2
Add the chicken cubes to the marinade, ensuring they are fully submerged, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours for maximum flavor.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, eggs, vegetable oil, and 1/4 cup water until smooth to form the batter.
4
Once marinated, remove the chicken from the marinade and set aside, reserving the marinade.
5
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the reserved marinade with 2 tablespoons of water and melted butter, then add food coloring. Slowly whisk in 2 tablespoons of cornstarch until well incorporated.
6
Continue to cook the sauce, stirring often for 15-20 minutes, until it has thickened to your desired consistency.
7
Heat a large skillet or deep fryer with oil over medium-high heat. Dip each piece of chicken in the batter, allowing excess to drip off.
8
Fry the chicken pieces in batches until they are golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 5-7 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
9
Serve the crispy chicken either coated in the sweet and sour sauce or with the sauce on the side as a dipping sauce.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crispy Sweet and Sour Chicken Delight?
It is a homemade dish featuring succulent chicken breast marinated in a tangy blend, coated in a crispy batter, and served with a vibrant sweet and sour sauce.
How should I prepare the chicken for this recipe?
The boneless skinless chicken breast should be cut into 1/2 inch cubes for even cooking and optimal marinade absorption.
What ingredients are in the marinade?
The marinade consists of ketchup, water, vinegar, soy sauce, and packed brown sugar.
How long should the chicken marinate?
For the best flavor and tenderness, refrigerate the chicken in the marinade for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours.
What is in the crispy batter?
The batter is made by whisking together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, eggs, vegetable oil, and 1/4 cup of water until smooth.
Should I throw away the marinade after soaking the chicken?
No, you should reserve the marinade as it is used as the base for the sweet and sour sauce.
How do I make the sweet and sour sauce?
Combine the reserved marinade with 2 tablespoons of water, melted butter, and red food coloring, then whisk in cornstarch and simmer.
How long does the sauce need to cook?
The sauce should be cooked over medium heat, stirring often, for 15-20 minutes until it reaches your desired thickness.
Why is red food coloring used?
Three drops of red food coloring are added to give the sauce its classic vibrant restaurant-style appearance.
How do I fry the chicken?
Heat oil in a large skillet or deep fryer, dip each piece of chicken into the batter, and fry in batches.
How long does it take to fry the chicken pieces?
The chicken should be fried for approximately 5-7 minutes until they are golden brown and fully cooked.
How should I serve the dish?
You can either coat the crispy chicken pieces directly in the sauce or serve the sauce on the side as a dipping sauce.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
While the recipe calls for breast, you can substitute with boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1/2 inch cubes.
What does the baking powder do in the batter?
Baking powder helps the batter expand and become light and airy during the frying process.
Is the brown sugar supposed to be packed?
Yes, the recipe specifies 1 cup of packed brown sugar for the correct sweetness level.
What type of vinegar is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of vinegar; typically white vinegar or apple cider vinegar works best for the tangy profile.
How much oil is needed for the batter?
The batter requires 1/2 teaspoon of vegetable oil to help with texture.
Can I omit the red food coloring?
Yes, the food coloring is purely for aesthetic purposes and does not affect the flavor of the sauce.
Why is cornstarch used in two different parts of the recipe?
Cornstarch is used in the batter for crispiness and in the sauce as a thickening agent.
How much chicken does this recipe require?
This recipe uses 1 lb of boneless skinless chicken breast.
What should I do with the chicken after frying?
Remove the chicken from the oil and drain the pieces on paper towels to remove excess grease.
Does the sauce contain butter?
Yes, 1/4 cup of melted butter is added to the sauce to provide richness.
How much soy sauce is used?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of soy sauce in the marinade.
Can I make this recipe for a family dinner?
Yes, the description notes it is perfect for family gatherings and is a favorite for both adults and children.
What is the heat setting for cooking the sauce?
The sauce should be cooked over medium heat.
What is the heat setting for frying the chicken?
The oil should be heated over medium-high heat for frying.
How much ketchup is in the sauce?
The marinade/sauce base uses 2 tablespoons of ketchup.
How much sugar is added to the batter?
The recipe specifies 1 teaspoon of sugar to be included in the batter mixture.
Is this recipe similar to Chinese restaurant chicken?
Yes, it is designed to be reminiscent of your favorite Chinese restaurant experience with a crispy texture and tangy sauce.
How many eggs are needed?
The batter requires 2 eggs to bind the dry ingredients together.