Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken Delight with Fluffy Rice
This flavorful Sweet and Sour Chicken Delight is an easy-to-make favorite in our household, especially for my son Matthew, who adores it so much that he requests it for his birthday every year. The dish features tender, juicy chicken breasts simmered in a vibrant, tangy sweet and sour sauce paired with colorful bell peppers, zesty onions, and sweet pineapple tidbits. Serve it over a bed of fluffy rice soaked in the delicious sauce for a complete meal that is both satisfying and fun to eat. Whether you choose to keep the chicken breasts whole or slice them into strips, this dish guarantees a burst of flavor in every bite. Perfect for family dinners, it’s bound to become a cherished recipe in your home as well!
6-8
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breasts
4-6 (uncooked)
sweet and sour sauce
1 (10 ounce) jar (store-bought)
pineapple tidbits
1 (15 ounce) can (drained)
bell pepper
1 large (chunked (mix of red and green preferred))
onion
1/2 medium (thinly sliced)
chicken broth
1 (15 ounce) can (low sodium recommended)
uncooked rice
1 1/2 cups (long grain or jasmine recommended)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a 9 x 13 glass baking dish, spread the uncooked rice evenly.
3
Place the uncooked chicken breasts on top of the rice.
4
In a mixing bowl, drain the juice from the pineapple tidbits. Combine the pineapple juice with the sweet and sour sauce and chicken broth. Stir lightly until the ingredients are blended.
5
Scatter the chunked bell peppers, thinly sliced onions, and pineapple tidbits evenly over the chicken breasts.
6
Pour the sweet and sour mixture over all the ingredients in the dish, ensuring an even distribution.
7
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
8
Remove the foil during the last 15 minutes of cooking to allow the chicken to brown slightly and let the flavors meld.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken Delight?
It is a flavorful one-pan meal featuring chicken breasts, sweet and sour sauce, vegetables, and pineapple baked over a bed of rice.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to serve between 6 and 8 people.
What temperature should I preheat my oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What size baking dish is required?
A 9 x 13 glass baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
Do I need to cook the rice before baking?
No, you should use 1 1/2 cups of uncooked rice spread evenly in the dish.
What type of rice works best?
Long grain or jasmine rice is recommended for the best texture.
Should the chicken be raw when I start?
Yes, place uncooked boneless skinless chicken breasts directly on top of the rice.
Can I cut the chicken into pieces?
Yes, you can choose to keep the chicken breasts whole or slice them into strips before baking.
How do I prepare the sauce?
Drain the juice from the pineapple tidbits and combine it with one 10-ounce jar of sweet and sour sauce and a 15-ounce can of chicken broth.
What vegetables are used in this dish?
The recipe calls for one large chunked bell pepper and half of a medium onion, thinly sliced.
What kind of pineapple is used?
One 15-ounce can of pineapple tidbits, drained, is used to add sweetness.
What is the total baking time?
The dish bakes for a total of 1 hour.
Should I cover the baking dish?
Yes, cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to ensure the rice and chicken cook properly.
When do I remove the foil?
Remove the foil during the last 15 minutes of baking to brown the chicken and meld the flavors.
Can I use low-sodium chicken broth?
Yes, low-sodium chicken broth is specifically recommended for this recipe.
What color bell peppers should I use?
A mix of red and green bell peppers is preferred for a colorful presentation.
Is this recipe suitable for kids?
Yes, it is a family favorite and is frequently requested by children for special occasions like birthdays.
How do I ensure the rice cooks evenly?
Ensure you pour the liquid mixture evenly over all ingredients in the dish before covering it tightly.
What kind of sweet and sour sauce is needed?
A standard 10-ounce jar of store-bought sweet and sour sauce works perfectly.
Is this dish considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as a comfort food meal due to its satisfying flavors and fluffy rice.
What is the main flavor profile of the dish?
The dish is vibrant and tangy with a sweet and sour balance from the sauce and pineapple.
Can I add extra onion?
Yes, while the recipe calls for 1/2 a medium onion, you can adjust the amount to your preference.
Does the chicken become tender?
Yes, simmering the chicken in the sauce under foil makes it juicy and tender.
What is the purpose of the chicken broth?
The broth provides the necessary liquid for the uncooked rice to absorb and become fluffy while baking.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 7 main ingredients: chicken, sauce, pineapple, bell pepper, onion, broth, and rice.
Is this a quick meal to prepare?
The preparation is quick as it involves layering ingredients in one dish before baking.
Can I use chicken thighs?
While the recipe specifies breasts, boneless skinless thighs could be used, though cooking times may vary slightly.
Should the bell peppers be finely chopped?
No, they should be 'chunked' to maintain texture during the hour-long bake.
How do I serve this dish?
Serve the chicken and vegetables over the bed of rice that has soaked up the sweet and sour sauce.
What makes this a 'delight'?
The combination of juicy chicken, sweet pineapple, and tangy sauce over fluffy rice creates a satisfying and fun eating experience.