by Holly
Sweet and Sour Chicken is one of those dishes that once you start eating, you almost can’t stop. Similar to Skillet Orange Chicken, this recipe has tender chunks of chicken in a deliciously sweet sauce.
Spoon it over fluffy white rice or some Cauliflower Fried Rice and you might never order out again!
The Perfect Take-Out Fake-Out
There is nothing quite like sweet and sour chicken, it’s a take out favorite and all of my kids love it. These days we are skipping take-out in favor of healthier home cooked options. Luckily for me, this recipe tastes even better than my favorite take-out version!
This Sweet and Sour Chicken is the perfect take-out fake-out to make at home with loads of juicy pineapple, peppers and tender chicken in a tangy sweet and sour sauce.
This recipe comes from Good Fast Eats written by Amy who blogs over at Belly Full and she always creates such yummy food.
Stir Fry for a Quick Meal
If your evenings are anything like mine, this book is going to become a staple in your kitchen. The recipes are super quick allowing fresh family dinners on the table every night of the week!
Stir fry recipes (like Easy Beef Stir Fry or Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry) are great weeknight options because they’re so fast! Pair them with Fried Rice, white rice or even ramen noodles!
Don’t be afraid to change out the veggies for your favorites or whatever you have on hand!
To Make Sweet & Sour Chicken
This sweet and sour chicken recipe is unbelievably easy and delicious! Within 30 minutes you can have this on the table for a delicious and economical dinner that is completely comparable to take-out!
- Chicken & Veggies: Add chicken to cornstarch (this tenderizes it and I use this technique in my other stir fry recipes) Prep veggies (most stores sell fresh stir-fry veggies that are ready to go).
- Sauce: Combine sauce ingredients and set aside.
- Cook: Cook chicken and then cook veggies. Add sauce and let it thicken. So easy!
Serve over rice.
More Take Out Favorites
- Easy Pepper Steak
- Beef and Broccoli
- Chicken Lo Mein
- Shrimp Stir Fry
- Cashew Chicken Stir Fry
- Crispy Homemade Egg Roll
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 1/2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 8 oz pineapple chunks drained, juice reserved
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 pound boneless chicken breast cut into chunks
- salt and pepper
- 1 small red bell pepper cut into one inch strips
- 1 small green bell pepper cut into strips
- 1 small sweet onion cut into strips
- cooked white rice optional
- sesame seeds for garnish optional
Follow Spend with Pennies on Pinterest
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and water until combined. Whisk in rice wine vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar and reserved pineapple juice.
- In a large skillet heat the vegetable oil over medium high heat. Toss the chicken in the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of cornstarch and season with salt and pepper.
- Add to the skillet and cook without stirring for 2-3 minutes. Mix and continue to cook for 6 -7 minutes. With a slotted spoon transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Add red bell pepper, green bell pepper and onion to the skillet; cook for 3 minutes or until vegetables soften. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the sweet and sour sauce mixture, along with the pineapple chunks. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes to warm thoroughly and allow the sauce to thicken slightly. Add the chicken back to the skillet and stir to combine.
- Serve over cooked white rice.
Recipe Notes
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
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I made this about a week ago. I could not find rice wine vinegar. But I believe the one I chose was close. My family loved this!! Huge hit and I will definitely make this again!!
That’s great Kristi! We love when recipes are a hit with the whole family!
I want to make this recipe, but am having trouble finding the rice wine vinegar! I found seasoned rice vinegar but I don’t think its the same thing. Help please!!
Seasoned rice vinegar may have a little bit of extra salt or sugar but either should be fine in this recipe in a pinch. Most grocery stores (including Walmart) will carry both so if you don’t see it maybe ask someone if they can help you to find it.
The recipes look great, can’t wait to try a few. I like to make different meals for the grandkids and they usually like my cooking.
I hope your family enjoys the recipes Alfred! Thanks for dropping by!
Such a good dish! Hubbie even went back for seconds and that’s not a normal thing for him to do. Thanks for sharing.
I am so glad this was a hit with your hubby!
I’m really enjoying your weekly recipes and have tried most of them. Could you please send me a recipe for home made sticky parkin ?
I’m sorry Jeff, I don’t have a recipe for sticky parkin.
This recipe looks really great!! I love that you referenced the book! I’m excited to check it out now that you sold it so well! Thanks so much and thanks for writing a yummy, yummy recipe!!!
Thanks Amanda, I’m glad you like it!!
I like a quick weeknight meal that actually tastes good, too!! Thank you for sharing!! :) This looks really good and who can argue with sweet and sour?!
Thank you Nicole, this recipe was so good!
I love how simple this recipe is. This makes it perfect for weeknight dinners! Can’t wait to check out this cookbook!
I think you’ll love the book Jillian, so many great recipes!
This looks so delicious. Way better than takeout! :-D
So glad you think so! This has been a great recipe :)
This looks delicious. My husband loves sweet and sour chicken. My recipe requires a little more work. Definitely going to try this recipe.
Let me know when you do!
Looks perfect and love that the at-home version is fast to make. Sounds like a weeknight dinner winner!
Thanks Averie!! We love this too, it’s such an easy meal!
Thank you for such a great review of my book, Holly! Since getting my sample copies, I’ve been going through it and revisiting these recipes – this sweet and sour chicken was one of the first ones the kids asked for. So glad you loved it, too!
This will definitely be a regular in our dinner rotation Amy… next on my list is your brownies, they look crazy good!