Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
This sweet and sour chicken recipe delivers crispy, tender chicken tossed in a tangy, homemade sauce, perfect for quick weeknight dinners full of vibrant flavors and comforting textures.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and Cutting Board
- Small bowl (for cornstarch slurry)
- Tongs or spatula
Ingredients
Sauce:
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar packed
- 3 cloves garlic pressed or finely minced
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Chicken:
- 1.25 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces (boneless skinless chicken thighs may be substituted)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil plus more if necessary
- 2 green onions sliced into thin rounds, optional for garnishing
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds optional for garnishing
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, and garlic to make the sauce.
- In a small bowl, combine cold water and cornstarch to make a slurry; add to sauce and whisk well.
- Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces, season with salt and pepper, then coat evenly with cornstarch.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; cook chicken until golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken in the skillet; stir and cook until sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot.
