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Sweet and Sour Chicken

Crispy Homemade Sweet and Sour Chicken You’ll Love

This Crispy Homemade Sweet and Sour Chicken is a delicious and healthier alternative to takeout, perfectly balancing sweet and tangy flavors.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Marinating Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Chicken
Cuisine: Hong Kong
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1 lb Boneless Chicken, cut into cubes options for dark or white meat
  • 1 cup Corn Starch, divided consider using potato starch for extra crunch
For the Sauce
  • 1/4 cup Tomato Paste forms the base of the sauce
  • 1/2 cup White Vinegar provides tanginess
  • 1/2 cup Sugar balances the vinegar's tartness
  • 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce adds savory umami flavor
  • 1/4 cup Water thin the sauce to desired consistency
  • 2 teaspoons Corn Starch Slurry for thickening the sauce
For the Vegetables
  • 1/2 cup Bell Pepper, cut into 1-inch cubes any variety can be used
  • 1/2 cup Pineapple, cut into chunks fresh preferred
  • 1/2 medium White Onion, cut into 1-inch cubes adds aromatic flavor
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced enhances overall flavor
  • 1 slice Ginger, grated adds warmth and spiciness

Equipment

  • Large Bowl
  • Deep Skillet or Wok
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Wooden Chopstick

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Carefully cut the bell pepper, white onion, and pineapple into 1-inch cubes and set aside in separate bowls.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken with minced garlic, grated ginger, chopped onion, light soy sauce, and Shaoxing cooking wine. Mix well and let it marinate for an hour.
  3. Add half of the corn starch to the marinated chicken and mix until evenly coated. Then coat with remaining corn starch for crispy texture.
  4. Heat oil to 350°F in a deep skillet or wok and fry the battered chicken in batches for about 3 minutes until golden brown.
  5. In a large pan, heat a tablespoon of oil and toast the tomato paste for 1-2 minutes. Add white vinegar, water, sugar, and soy sauce, bring to a simmer for 5 minutes.
  6. Gradually pour in the cornstarch slurry while stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
  7. Add bell pepper, pineapple, and white onion to the sauce and cook for 1 minute. Fold in the fried chicken pieces to coat.
  8. Serve immediately over fluffy white rice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 25gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 2gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For extra crunch, consider double frying the chicken and store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.

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