Zippy Sweet And Sour Chicken Recipe: Tangy Family Favorite!

Crispy golden chicken pieces dancing in a tangy sweet and sour sauce never fail to make taste buds sing with joy.

Vibrant colors and bold flavors come together in this irresistible sweet and sour chicken recipe that promises restaurant-quality deliciousness right in your kitchen.

Each bite offers a perfect balance of crunch and zesty sauce that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

The magic happens when tender chicken meets a glossy, bright coating that sparkles with sweet and sour notes.

This classic dish brings excitement to your dinner routine with its simple yet impressive preparation.

You’ll love how quickly these crispy morsels come together, transforming an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Gather your ingredients and get ready to create a meal that celebrates bold, mouth-watering flavors.

Step-By-Step Sweet and Sour Chicken Instructions

• Prep the Chicken

Sprinkle salt and pepper on chicken pieces. Coat each piece in cornstarch, then dunk in beaten eggs to create a crispy outer layer.

• Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat oil in a large skillet until shimmering. Carefully drop chicken pieces into hot oil, cooking until they turn a beautiful golden brown. This should take about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.

• Whip Up the Sauce

Combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl, whisking until smooth and well-blended. The mixture should look glossy and have a vibrant color.

• Sauté the Veggies

Toss bell peppers and onions into a clean skillet with a splash of oil. Cook until they soften slightly and start to caramelize. Add pineapple chunks for a burst of sweetness.

• Bring It All Together

Pour the sauce over the vegetables, stirring constantly. Watch as it transforms and thickens before your eyes. Gently add the crispy chicken, coating each piece in the tangy sauce.

• Final Simmer

Let everything mingle in the pan for a few minutes, ensuring the chicken is heated through and beautifully coated. The sauce should cling to the chicken like a delicious glaze.

• Serve and Enjoy

Plate over fluffy white rice or alongside your favorite noodles. Grab your chopsticks and dig into this flavor-packed meal that’s sure to impress!

Helpful Tips For Sweet and Sour Chicken

• Perfect Chicken Coating: Dredge chicken in cornstarch first, then egg wash for an extra crispy, golden exterior that stays crunchy even after saucing.
• Healthier Baking Alternative: Skip deep-frying by placing coated chicken pieces on a baking sheet and baking at 400°F for 20-25 minutes for a lighter version with less oil.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Prepare chicken and sauce separately, storing in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat and combine just before serving to maintain crispy chicken texture.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace soy sauce with tamari, use gluten-free cornstarch, and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.
• Spice Level Adjustment: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce directly into the sweet and sour sauce for those who enjoy extra heat, or keep it mild for family-friendly dining.

Serve Sweet and Sour Chicken Deliciously

• Party Platter Perfection: Create a vibrant buffet-style spread with multiple side dishes like steamed white rice, vegetable spring rolls, and crispy egg rolls to complement the sweet and sour chicken.
• Garnish Galore: Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds, or crispy fried shallots on top for added texture and visual appeal that enhances the dish's flavor profile.
• Family-Style Feast: Serve the chicken in a large central platter with separate bowls of rice and sauce, allowing everyone to customize their own plate and enjoy interactive dining experience.
• Leftover Magic: Store any remaining chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of extra sauce to maintain its crispy texture and delicious taste.

Store & Reheat Sweet and Sour Chicken

• Fridge Storage Magic: Transfer leftovers to airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping chicken and sauce separate to maintain crispiness. Refrigerated portions stay delicious for 34 days.
• Quick Reheat Strategy: Warm chicken in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore original crispiness. Microwave can make chicken soggy, so oven is best for reheating.
• Freezer Friendly Option: Freeze uncoated chicken and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating and assembling.
• Advance Meal Prep Trick: Chop vegetables and mix sauce ingredients ahead of time. Store in sealed containers in refrigerator for 12 hours, reducing day-of cooking time and making meal preparation faster and smoother.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

Sweet and Sour Chicken Ingredients List

• Chicken Breasts: Tender protein base that creates the main texture, choose fresh, boneless cuts for even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
• Salt: Enhances chicken's natural taste and helps seasoning penetrate deeper.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and complexity to the meat's flavor profile.
• Cornstarch: Creates crispy exterior coating that locks in moisture and provides golden crunch.
• Eggs: Helps cornstarch adhere to chicken, forming protective layer during frying.

• Ketchup: Provides sweet base and vibrant red color to sauce.
• White Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness and balances sweetness.
• Sugar: Creates classic sweet dimension in sauce.
• Soy Sauce: Introduces umami depth and rich brown undertones.
• Garlic Powder: Delivers concentrated aromatic flavor without fresh garlic chunks.
• Cornstarch Slurry: Thickens sauce and creates glossy, clingy texture.

• Bell Peppers: Brings colorful crunch and fresh vegetable sweetness.
• Onions: Adds savory undertone and aromatic depth.
• Pineapple Chunks: Introduces tropical sweetness and juicy texture contrast.
• Vegetable Oil: Essential for creating crispy chicken exterior and preventing sticking.

Tools To Prep Sweet and Sour Chicken

• Large Skillet or Wok: Essential for frying chicken and stir-frying vegetables with enough space for cooking.
• Paper Towels: Perfect for draining excess oil from crispy chicken pieces.
• Medium Bowl: Used for whisking together sweet and sour sauce ingredients.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurately measuring sauce components.
• Whisk: Helps blend sauce ingredients smoothly without lumps.
• Tongs: Great for safely turning and handling chicken during frying.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping bell peppers and onions.
• Sharp Knife: Required for preparing vegetables and cutting chicken if needed.

Heavenly Sugar Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Delicate soft sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting offer classic comfort from midwestern kitchens. Sweet layers of nostalgia blend buttery cookie textures with rich, tangy frosting that pulls you back to cherished family gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter (for frosting)
• 1 cup unsalted butter (for cake)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for cake)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• sprinkles (optional)
• food coloring (optional)

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Instructions

1. Mix Foundation: Whip butter and sugar until fluffy and pale, blending eggs and vanilla and almond extracts thoroughly to create a smooth base.
2. Create Dough: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt, then delicately incorporate into wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to maintain tender cookie texture.
3. Chill Preparation: Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for one hour to solidify structure and intensify flavor profile.
4. Prepare Workspace: Preheat oven to 350F (175C), line baking sheets with parchment paper, and dust work surface with flour. Roll chilled dough to quarter-inch thickness.
5. Shape and Bake: Cut desired cookie shapes, positioning them on prepared trays with adequate spacing. Bake 8-10 minutes until edges set but not browned, allowing brief cooling on tray before transferring to wire rack.
6. Craft Frosting: Blend cream cheese and butter until silky, gradually introducing powdered sugar to develop creamy consistency. Enhance with vanilla extract and adjust texture with milk, adding optional food coloring for visual interest.
7. Finish Cookies: Once completely cooled, lavishly spread frosting across cookies and decorate with sprinkles as desired.

Notes

Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and ensure cookies maintain their shape during baking.

Avoid Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients to prevent tough, dense cookies by maintaining a light, tender texture.

Perfect Rolling Technique: Roll dough to consistent 1/4-inch thickness for even baking and uniform cookie appearance.

Customize Creatively: Experiment with different extract flavors like lemon or orange to personalize the cookie’s taste profile and add unique character.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 265
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg