Quick and Easy Sweet and Spicy Chicken Delight
This Quick and Easy Sweet and Spicy Chicken Delight is a simplified take on the beloved General Tso's Chicken, designed for busy cooks who crave a flavorful meal without the fuss. Featuring juicy chicken breasts coated in a sweet and tangy sauce with a hint of heat, this dish pairs perfectly with vibrant stir-fried vegetables and fluffy white rice. The recipe is adaptable, allowing you to either batter and fry the chicken for that crunchy texture or simply stir-fry it for a lighter option. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this dish is sure to become a household favorite. Just a friendly note: for those sensitive to heat, opt for a mild hot sauce to ensure a balance of flavors without overwhelming spice!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 (cut into bite-sized cubes)
soy sauce
1/2 cup (none)
water
1 cup (none)
hot sauce (e.g., Tabasco)
6 tablespoons (none)
white sugar
1 cup (none)
chicken bouillon cubes or chicken base
2 cubes or 1 tablespoon (none)
ginger
2 teaspoons (none)
cornstarch
2 tablespoons (mixed with 4 tablespoons water)
frozen Chinese vegetables
16 ounces (cooked according to package directions)
cooked white rice
4 cups (cooked)
Instructions
1
In a saucepan, combine the soy sauce, water, hot sauce, sugar, chicken bouillon (or base), and ginger. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Keep it warm while you prepare the chicken.
2
Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes. You can choose to either coat the chicken with a boxed batter mix and deep-fry according to the package instructions for a crispy texture, or simply heat a little oil in a pan and stir-fry the cubed chicken until fully cooked.
3
If you've opted for the stir-fry method, let the chicken simmer for a few minutes in the sauce to absorb the flavors. If you've battered and fried the chicken, combine it with the sauce just before serving to keep it crispy.
4
In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Stir this mixture into the sauce, allowing it to thicken before adding the cooked chicken.
5
Meanwhile, prepare the frozen Chinese vegetables according to the package directions. You can stir-fry them in the same pan used for the chicken for added flavor.
6
Serve the sweet and spicy chicken over a bed of colorful vegetables and fluffy cooked white rice, ensuring each plate is generously drizzled with the flavorful sauce.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Quick and Easy Sweet and Spicy Chicken Delight?
It is a simplified version of General Tso's Chicken designed for busy cooks, featuring juicy chicken in a sweet and tangy sauce with a hint of heat.
How many ingredients are needed for this recipe?
This recipe requires 10 main ingredients, including chicken, soy sauce, sugar, and various seasonings.
What type of chicken is best for this dish?
The recipe calls for four boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized cubes.
Can I make this dish less spicy?
Yes, for those sensitive to heat, you can opt for a mild hot sauce to ensure a balance of flavors without overwhelming spice.
What are the two ways to cook the chicken?
You can either coat the chicken in batter and deep-fry it for a crunchy texture or simply stir-fry it in a pan for a lighter option.
How do I thicken the sweet and spicy sauce?
The sauce is thickened by stirring in a slurry made of 2 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with 4 tablespoons of water.
What should I serve with the Sweet and Spicy Chicken?
It is traditionally served over a bed of colorful stir-fried Chinese vegetables and fluffy cooked white rice.
What goes into the sauce mixture?
The sauce consists of soy sauce, water, hot sauce, sugar, chicken bouillon or base, and ginger.
How long should I simmer the stir-fried chicken in the sauce?
If you choose the stir-fry method, let the chicken simmer for a few minutes in the sauce to allow it to absorb the flavors.
How do I keep the fried chicken crispy?
If you choose to batter and fry the chicken, combine it with the sauce just before serving to maintain its crispiness.
Can I use chicken bouillon cubes?
Yes, you can use either 2 chicken bouillon cubes or 1 tablespoon of chicken base.
What kind of vegetables are recommended?
The recipe suggests using a 16-ounce package of frozen Chinese vegetables, cooked according to package directions.
How much rice do I need for this recipe?
The recipe recommends serving the dish with 4 cups of cooked white rice.
Can I cook the vegetables in the same pan as the chicken?
Yes, you can stir-fry the vegetables in the same pan used for the chicken to add extra flavor.
What type of hot sauce should I use?
The recipe suggests using a hot sauce like Tabasco, but you can use your preferred brand.
Is this recipe suitable for a quick weeknight dinner?
Absolutely, it is specifically designed as a quick and easy meal for busy cooks.
How much ginger is used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of ginger.
Do I need to boil the sauce?
Yes, you should bring the sauce mixture to a boil and then reduce it to a simmer before adding the chicken.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 cup of white sugar to achieve its sweet flavor profile.
Is the chicken supposed to be cubed?
Yes, the chicken breasts should be cut into bite-sized cubes for even cooking and better sauce distribution.
What is the first step in preparing the sauce?
The first step is to combine soy sauce, water, hot sauce, sugar, bouillon, and ginger in a saucepan.
Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen?
Yes, while the recipe suggests frozen Chinese vegetables for convenience, fresh stir-fry vegetables can also be used.
How much water is needed for the sauce base?
The recipe requires 1 cup of water for the sauce mixture.
What is the texture of the sauce?
The sauce is thick and flavorful, thanks to the addition of a cornstarch slurry.
Can I use a different type of meat?
While designed for chicken, the recipe is adaptable and could likely work with other proteins like shrimp or pork.
How much soy sauce is required?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of soy sauce.
Is this recipe family-friendly?
Yes, it is tagged as family-friendly and can be adjusted for different spice tolerances.
Does the recipe include instructions for frying?
Yes, it mentions you can coat the chicken with a boxed batter mix and deep-fry according to package instructions.
What is the serving suggestion for the sauce?
Each plate should be generously drizzled with the flavorful sauce over the chicken, vegetables, and rice.
Is this recipe adaptable?
Yes, it is highly adaptable regarding the cooking method for the chicken and the choice of hot sauce.