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This easy sweet and sour chicken recipe is just what you have been looking for! It has a nice crispy chicken that is loaded with peppers and pineapple just like your favorite restaurant but is easy enough to make at home in about 30 minutes. Serve this delicious Sweet and Sour Chicken over a bed of rice for an easy meal made right at home. You will love how much flavor that is in this dish. 

Sweet and Sour Chicken

If you are like me, when someone mentions Chinese food you instantly think of nice crispy sweet and sour chicken from your favorite takeout restaurant, but what if I told you that you could make a nice big pan of it in less time than it takes for you to drive and get it?

While some people might feel intimated by making Sweet and sour chicken at home, don’t be! This easy step by step recipe is easy to follow and produces the perfect sweet and sour chicken. Pair it with other Chinese favorites like Ninja Foodi Orange Chicken,  Easy Wonton Soup, and Air Fryer Crab Rangoon to enjoy Chinese food without the price of takeout. 

• ⅔ cup pineapple juice (reserved from canned pineapple chunks)
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch, divided
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1” pieces (about 2 large breasts)
• 3-4 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil, divided
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1” pieces
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1” pieces
• 1 small yellow onion, cut into 1” pieces
• 1 cup canned pineapple chunks in 100% juice (not syrup)

How to Make Sweet and Sour Chicken 

• In a small bowl whisk together the pineapple juice, ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and set aside.

• Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, salt, pepper, and chicken to a Ziploc bag. Shake the bag well to ensure an even coating on the chicken. 

• Heat 1½ tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the chicken in a single layer and cook until golden brown on all sides and cooked through; about 5-6 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate. Add another 1-1 ½ tablespoons of oil and repeat with the remaining chicken. 

• Reduce the heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the onion, bell peppers, and pineapple chunks and cook until the veggies start to slightly soften; about 4-5 minutes.

• Reduce the heat to low. Stir the sauce in the bowl, then add to the pan with the veggies and pineapple. Cook for 1-2 minutes frequently stirring until the sauce starts to thicken.

• Add the chicken back to the pan and stir to combine. Cook an additional 2-4 minutes until the chicken heats through.

• Serve warm over rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds if desired. 

Tips Tricks and FAQs

• When buying your pineapple at the store, be sure you get pineapple that has 100% pineapple juice and not syrup. 
• You can substitute your rice vinegar for apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar if you prefer. 
• Traditionally you will find red and green peppers in your sweet and sour chicken, but you can use other colors if that is what you have on hand. 
• If you prefer your onion and bell peppers to be completely soft, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes during step 4. 
• You can use a super sweet fresh pineapple in this recipe or even frozen pineapple. 
• If you prefer a sweeter sweet and sour chicken you can add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar. 
• If you prefer a tangier sweet and sour chicken you can add in an extra teaspoon of rice vinegar. 

Can I add in other flavors to this dish?

While traditionally sweet and sour chicken is only peppers, chicken, and onions feel free to add in some extra flavors like:

• Snow peas
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Peanuts
• Sliced almonds

• Sweet and Sour Sauce Recipe
• Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs
• Instant Pot Asian Beef Lettuce Wraps
• Asian Chicken Salad
• Better Than Take Out Beef & Broccoli

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