Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sweet and Sour Chicken is a takeout favorite made easily at home with crispy golden chicken bites coated in a glossy, tangy-sweet sauce. Paired with colorful bell peppers and juicy pineapple chunks, this dish delivers bold flavors and satisfying textures in every bite. It’s family-friendly, fun to make, and better than what you’d get from a restaurant.

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

chicken breastscornstarchall-purpose floureggsalt and peppervegetable oilbell peppers (red, green, or yellow)pineapple chunksgarlic

for the sauce:
ketchuprice vinegarsoy saucebrown sugarpineapple juicecornstarch (for thickening)

directions

Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.

In a bowl, combine flour and cornstarch. In another bowl, beat the eggs.

Dip chicken pieces into egg, then dredge in the flour-cornstarch mixture.

Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat and fry chicken pieces until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.

In a separate pan, sauté garlic, chopped bell peppers, and pineapple chunks until just tender.

In a bowl, whisk together ketchup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, and cornstarch.

Pour sauce into the pan with the veggies and bring to a simmer, stirring until it thickens.

Add fried chicken to the pan and toss everything together until evenly coated in sauce.

Serve hot with steamed rice.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 4.Preparation time: 15 minutesCooking time: 20 minutesTotal time: 35 minutes

Variations

Use chicken thighs for a juicier result.

Swap pineapple for mango or orange segments for a fruity twist.

Add onions, snap peas, or carrots for more crunch and color.

Make it spicy by adding chili flakes or sriracha to the sauce.

Use tofu for a vegetarian version.

storage/reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until hot and bubbly.For best texture, re-crisp the chicken in the oven or air fryer before saucing.

FAQs

Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?

Yes, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes or air fry for a lighter version.

Do I need fresh pineapple?

Canned pineapple chunks in juice work perfectly and add convenience.

Why is my sauce too runny?

Make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved and let the sauce simmer until thickened.

Can I prepare this ahead?

You can prep the chicken and sauce separately, then combine and heat when ready to serve.

Is this gluten-free?

Use gluten-free soy sauce and substitute cornstarch for any flour used to coat the chicken.

Can I freeze sweet and sour chicken?

Freeze the chicken and sauce separately for best texture. Reheat and toss together when serving.

Conclusion

Sweet and Sour Chicken brings a colorful, flavor-packed meal to your dinner table with crispy bites and a perfectly balanced sauce. It’s quick, delicious, and sure to become a go-to favorite whenever you’re craving that irresistible sweet-tangy combo.