Are you craving a delightful sweet and sour chicken dish with minimal effort? Look no further! This article presents a collection of tantalizing sweet and sour chicken recipes, each bursting with flavor and offering a unique twist on this classic dish. From traditional methods to innovative variations, these recipes cater to diverse tastes and dietary preferences. Dive into a culinary journey that will transform your taste buds and leave you craving for more.
The recipes in this article cover a wide range of cooking methods and ingredients, ensuring that there's something for everyone. Whether you prefer crispy fried chicken or tender baked chicken, these recipes have got you covered. The sweet and sour sauce, a hallmark of this dish, is given special attention, with each recipe offering a slightly different take on this delicious glaze. Some recipes incorporate pineapple for a tropical twist, while others add bell peppers and carrots for a crunchier texture. And for those with a sweet tooth, there's a recipe that features a honey garlic sauce that will satisfy your cravings.
SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN
Sweet and Sour Chicken is an American Chinese takeout favorite, made by batter-frying chicken and tossing it in a quick sweet and sour sauce.
Provided by Bill
Categories Chicken
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- Set aside ½ cup of pineapple juice from your can of pineapple, and reserve ⅔ cup of the pineapple chunks (if using). Set aside.
- Combine the hot water, salt, sugar, and ketchup. Stir until the salt and sugar are dissolved, and then add the vinegar and pineapple juice (if using). If not using pineapple juice, replace with ½ cup water or chicken stock. Set aside.
- Cut your chicken into uniform 1 inch chunks (for even cooking) and place into a bowl. Add the garlic and onion powders, sesame oil, white pepper and salt. Mix until all pieces are uniformly coated, and let it sit for 5 minutes. Any excess water should be fully absorbed by the chicken. If not, mix the chicken again and let it sit for another 5 minutes.
- Mix together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and baking soda in a bowl, and add 2/3 cup of ice water. Use a fork to mix until a batter is formed, and stir in 1 tablespoon of oil. Set aside.
- The amount of oil you need depends on the size of the pot you will use. Using a larger pot uses more oil, but allows you to cook the chicken in fewer batches. Using a smaller pot uses less oil, but you'll have to fry more batches of chicken. We usually go for a smaller pot, so we have less leftover oil. Heat the oil in a small pot until it reaches 335°F/170°C.
- Place 5 to 6 pieces of marinated chicken into the batter. Use a chopstick, fork, or your fingers to coat the chicken in the batter and place each piece slowly into the oil.
- Use a slotted spoon to carefully turn the chicken so all sides are uniformly fried. Fry for about 2 minutes, or until the batter is a light golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and let any excess oil drain off before placing onto a rack or paper towel lined plate.
- Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a wok over medium high heat, and add the red onion and peppers. Stir-fry for 30 seconds.
- Next, add the sweet and sour sauce you prepared earlier and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat so the sauce is simmering.
- Combine the cornstarch and water to make a uniform slurry. While stirring the sweet and sour sauce, drizzle the slurry in gradually until the sauce is thick enough to coat a spoon (you may not need all of the slurry). Turn down the heat and give the sauce a quick taste--now is the time to add more salt, vinegar or sugar if desired.
- Add the pineapple chunks (if using) and stir until warmed through. Now is the time to refry the chicken to make them nice and crispy. Heat the oil up to 335°F/170°C and fry the chicken in two batches for about 45 seconds each time. Then add the chicken pieces to your sauce, and gently toss with your wok spatula until the chicken is coated. Serve immediately!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 466 kcal, Carbohydrate 33 g, Protein 19 g, Fat 30 g, SaturatedFat 14 g, Cholesterol 64 mg, Sodium 741 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 8 g, ServingSize 1 serving
GRILLED SWEET-AND-SOUR CHICKEN PACKETS
A simple grill recipe, different from other traditional grill meals. From Betty Crocker I think (someone passed it along to me).
Provided by iewe7726
Categories Chicken Breast
Time 30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Heat gas or charcoal grill. Cut four 18x12-inch pieces of heavy-duty foil; spray with cooking spray.
- On one side of each foil piece, place 1 chicken breast. Top each with 1 tablespoon sweet-and-sour sauce and one-fourth of the pineapple, bell pepper and onion. Top with remaining sauce.
- Fold foil over chicken and vegetables so edges meet. Seal edges, making tight 1/2-inch fold; fold again. Allow space on sides for heat expansion.
- When grill is heated, place packets on gas grill over medium heat or on charcoal grill over medium coals; cover grill.
- Cook 15 to 20 minutes, rotating packets 1/2 turn after 10 minutes, until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (170°F).
- Place packets on plates. Cut large X across top of each packet; fold back foil. Top with chow mein noodles if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 211.9, Fat 2.4, SaturatedFat 0.5, Cholesterol 68.4, Sodium 194.8, Carbohydrate 18.9, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 16, Protein 27.9
SWEET & SOUR CHICKEN PACKETS
Steps:
- 1. Heat grill. Cut four 18 x 12 pieces of heavy duty foil. Spray with cooking spray.
- 2. On each foil place 1 chicken breast. Top each with 1 T. of sweet & sour sauce, 1/4 of the pineapple, bell pepper and onion. Top with remaining sauce (1 T. on each again).
- 3. Fold over foil and seal tightly leaving some space for expansion. Cook on medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes turning after 10 minutes. Top with chow mien noodles.
EASY SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN
This a really easy recipe that the whole family will enjoy! Serve over rice.
Provided by wmbloomer
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian
Time 25m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Combine flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish.
- Roll and coat chicken cubes in flour mixture.
- Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook and stir chicken in hot oil until not longer pink in the center and juices run clear, 8 to 10 minutes; remove and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in the same skillet over medium heat.
- Cook and stir celery, green peppers, and onion in heated oil until slightly tender, about 5 minutes.
- Return chicken to the skillet.
- Whisk ketchup, lemon juice, pineapple, and brown sugar in a bowl; pour into the skillet; bring to a boil.
- Cook and stir chicken and vegetables in sauce until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 420.6 calories, Carbohydrate 49.3 g, Cholesterol 64.6 mg, Fat 13.6 g, Fiber 5.3 g, Protein 27.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Sodium 870.1 mg, Sugar 31.6 g
SHEET PAN SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN
Inspired by the flavors of our favorite Asian takeout, here's a recipe that uses canned pineapple tidbits, with the usual veggies. In order to make it sheet-pan friendly, the chicken is not breaded or fried. Add as much of the delicious sauce as you like, and if there is any left, store the sauce in the fridge in a sealed container, up to one week. It's also a great dipping sauce for Asian-style appetizers. Serve over hot steamed rice.
Provided by Bibi
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian
Time 55m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- Drain pineapple tidbits and place juice into a 1-cup liquid measure. Place drained pineapple in a large mixing bowl; set aside.
- Add bell peppers, carrot, and onion to the pineapple tidbits. Pour 2 tablespoons avocado oil over top and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir until coated with oil and seasoning, then spread in a single layer on a sheet pan. Place chicken into the same bowl, drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat and nestle chicken pieces on the sheet pan between the pineapple and vegetable pieces.
- Bake in the preheated oven until vegetables are tender and chicken is cooked through, about 25 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add enough water to the reserved pineapple juice to make 1 cup liquid. Transfer 3 tablespoons of the liquid to a small bowl and add cornstarch. Stir with a fork or whisk until smooth.
- Pour remaining liquid into a saucepan with brown sugar, rice vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, chile-garlic sauce, ginger-garlic paste, and white pepper. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, over medium-high heat. Slowly add cornstarch mixture, whisking briskly. Return to a boil and allow to thicken, whisking constantly, about 1 minute.
- Drizzle chicken, pineapple, and vegetables with sauce to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 523.5 calories, Carbohydrate 58.6 g, Cholesterol 96.9 mg, Fat 14.9 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 37.7 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 1236.2 mg, Sugar 49 g
SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN
Instead of deep-frying chunks of chicken, this streamlined take on an American Chinese restaurant favorite opts for stir-frying it. Sweetness comes from pineapple chunks and juice, plus a touch of brown sugar, while rice wine vinegar delivers that pleasing sour punch.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 30m
Yield 2 to 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large non-stick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Season chicken strips with salt and pepper and add to pan. Brown chicken and remove to plate. Add red and green peppers and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in pineapple chunks, juice, sugar, vinegar and broth and bring to a simmer. Simmer until sauce begins to reduce. Stir in cornstarch mixture and bring liquid to a simmer. Stir in chicken strips and cook for 5 minutes. Serve over rice.
GRILLED SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN FOIL PACKS
Opening up a grill packet is a sweet surprise! Chicken breasts go sweet and sour in a hurry.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Heat gas or charcoal grill. Cut four 18x12-inch pieces of heavy-duty foil; spray with cooking spray.
- On one side of each foil piece, place 1 chicken breast. Top each with 1 tablespoon sweet-and-sour sauce and one-fourth of the pineapple, bell pepper and onion. Top with remaining sauce.
- Fold foil over chicken and vegetables so edges meet. Seal edges, making tight 1/2-inch fold; fold again. Allow space on sides for heat expansion.
- When grill is heated, place packets on gas grill over medium heat or on charcoal grill over medium coals; cover grill. Cook 15 to 20 minutes, rotating packets 1/2 turn after 10 minutes, until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (165°F). Place packets on plates. Cut large X across top of each packet; fold back foil. Top with chow mein noodles.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 230, Carbohydrate 19 g, Cholesterol 75 mg, Fat 1/2, Fiber 1 g, Protein 27 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 180 mg, Sugar 15 g, TransFat 0 g
Tips:
- To ensure your chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check that it has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- For a crispy coating, make sure your chicken is completely dry before dredging it in the cornstarch mixture.
- If you don't have cornstarch, you can use all-purpose flour instead. However, the cornstarch will give you a crispier coating.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of sauce ingredients to your liking. If you want a sweeter sauce, add more sugar. If you want a more sour sauce, add more vinegar.
- Serve your sweet and sour chicken over rice, noodles, or vegetables for a complete meal.
Conclusion:
This sweet and sour chicken recipe is an easy and delicious way to enjoy a classic Chinese takeout dish at home. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have this dish on the table in less than 30 minutes. So next time you're craving Chinese food, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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