Sweet and Sour Chicken

4 servings
1 hr

Back in the late 1980’s I used to make Sweet and Sour Chicken with a jar of Ragu Sweet and Sour sauce and it was so good, but they stopped making it. So, I needed to come up a new recipe because I really missed having Sweet and Sour Chicken. After a lot of trial and error I finally arrived at this recipe and I really hope everyone loves it as much as we do.

Sweet and Sour Chicken is an incredibly popular dish that can be prepared in many ways. From the classic pineapple and bell peppers to hotter and more unique variations, this beloved takeout dish is a favorite for many. Creating this great recipe starts with good quality chicken, fresh ingredients, and a balanced combination of flavors. Give it a try and find your favorite way to make Sweet and Sour Chicken.

What is Sweet and Sour Chicken?

Sweet and Sour Chicken is a popular Chinese dish that offers a delightful mix of contrasting flavors. The main component of the dish is tender pieces of chicken cooked to perfection. The distinctive feature of this dish is the sauce, which is a blend of sweet and sour elements. A combination of tangy vinegars, sweet sugars, and vibrant fruit flavors like pineapple, peach or apricot creates a taste sensation that encompasses both ends of the flavor spectrum.


Ingredients

Chicken breast


  • Pineapple
  • Pineapple juice
  • Green pepper
  • Red pepper
  • Brown sugar
  • Cornstarch
  • Vinegar
  • Soy Sauce
sweet and sour chicken ingredients

How to make Sweet and Sour Chicken

Add vegetable oil to a large skillet, and add chicken and brown over medium heat. Drain and set aside.

sweet and sour chicken browning

Drain pineapple, saving the juice. Add water to the juice to measure 1 cup; pour liquid into the skillet. Add another ⅓ cup of water, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch.

sweet and sour sauce

Cook over medium heat until thick, stirring constantly. Add the pineapple, chicken, and peppers.

Simmer, uncovered until heated through, about 20 minutes. Serve over rice and chow mein noodles.

Tools For This Recipe

(Amazon affiliate links)- These are the tools I use when making this recipe!


  • GreenPan Frying PanGreenPan has the best frying pans, healthy nonstick and oven safe.
  • Bamboo Spatula– Bamboo utensils help keep my GreenPan’s scratch free.
  • Bamboo Cutting BoardsSmooth Bamboo cutting boards won’t dull your knives and feels easy to cut on.
  • Pinch Bowls for measuring out ingredients ahead of time.


More Delicious Recipes To Try

Maid-Rite Sandwiches – Copycat

Crème Brûlée

Steak Shish Kabobs

Parsley Buttered Potatoes

French Onion Chip Dip


Recipe Card

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Make an easy and delicious dish with this simple step-by-step tutorial on sweet and sour chicken. Enjoy the perfect balance of salty and sweet with this classic and flavorful meal.

sweet-and-sour-chicken

Cuisine:

Chinese

Courses:

Main Course

Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

40 min

Total Time

1 hr

Servings:

4

Ingredients

Servings

  • 1 can (8 oounces) pineapple tidbits in 100% juice
  • ⅓ cups water
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • ½ cups packed brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 (14 ounces) boneless chicken cut into small pieces
  • 1 green pepper
  • 1 red pepper
  • hot cooked rice
  • crunchy chow mein noodles
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil


Instructions

  1. Add vegetable oil to a large skillet, and add chicken and brown over medium heat. Drain and set aside.
  2. Drain pineapple, saving the juice. Add water to the juice to measure 1 cup; pour liquid into the skillet. Add another ⅓ cup of water, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch.
  3. Cook over medium heat until thick, stirring constantly. Add the pineapple, chicken, and peppers.
  4. Simmer, uncovered until heated through, about 20 minutes. Serve over rice and chow mein noodles.


Keywords:

Chicken, Chinese, Sweet and Sour

Recipe details
  • 4  servings
  • Prep time: 20 Minutes Cook time: 40 Minutes Total time: 1 hr
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Ingredients

  • 1 can (8 oounces) pineapple tidbits in 100% juice
  • ⅓ cups water
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • ½ cups packed brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 (14 ounces) boneless chicken cut into small pieces
  • 1 green pepper
  • 1 red pepper
  • hot cooked rice
  • crunchy chow mein noodles
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 
Instructions

Add vegetable oil to a large skillet, and add chicken and brown over medium heat. Drain and set aside.
Drain pineapple, saving the juice. Add water to the juice to measure 1 cup; pour liquid into the skillet. Add another ⅓ cup of water, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch.
Cook over medium heat until thick, stirring constantly. Add the pineapple, chicken, and peppers.
Simmer, uncovered until heated through, about 20 minutes. Serve over rice and chow mein noodles.
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