Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: ~35 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup cornstarch (for extra crunch)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup flour (or substitute with more cornstarch for extra crispiness)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder (for light, crispy texture)
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
For the Sweet & Sour Sauce:
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup vinegar (white or rice vinegar)
- ¼ cup brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional, for umami)
- ½ cup pineapple juice (or water)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch, dissolved in 1 tablespoon water (to thicken)
For the Stir-Fry Vegetables (Optional but Recommended!):
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- ½ cup pineapple chunks (optional but adds natural sweetness)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- In a bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, and baking powder.
- Dip chicken pieces in beaten eggs, then coat in the flour mixture.
- Let rest for 5 minutes (this helps the coating stick better).
2. Fry or Bake the Chicken (Choose One!)
🔥 Deep Fry (For Crispy Perfection!)
- Heat oil (about 1 inch deep) in a pan to 180°C (350°F).
- Fry chicken in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove and drain on paper towels.
🔥 Air Fry (For a Healthier Option!)
- Preheat air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
- Spray chicken with oil and air-fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
🔥 Oven-Bake (For Less Oil!)
- Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F).
- Arrange chicken on a baking sheet, spray lightly with oil, and bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
3. Make the Sweet & Sour Sauce
- In a saucepan, mix ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and pineapple juice.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens.
4. Stir-Fry the Vegetables (Optional but Recommended!)
- In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil.
- Sauté bell peppers and onions for 2 minutes.
- Add pineapple chunks and cook for 1 more minute.
5. Combine Everything & Serve!
- Toss crispy chicken into the sweet and sour sauce until well coated.
- Add stir-fried vegetables & pineapple (if using).
- Serve over steamed rice and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Sweet and Sour Chicken:
✔ Use cornstarch & baking powder for the crispiest coating.
✔ Fry in batches to avoid soggy chicken.
✔ Balance flavors – Adjust sugar or vinegar to taste.
✔ For extra crunch, double-fry the chicken (let it cool, then refry for 1 minute).
✔ Use pineapple juice – It enhances the sauce’s natural sweetness!
Would you like a spicy version or a cheesy sweet and sour twist? 😊
4o
You said:
Sweet and Sour Chicken
ChatGPT said:
Here’s a better version of Sweet and Sour Chicken—extra crispy, juicy, and coated in a perfectly balanced homemade sauce! This recipe gives you restaurant-quality flavor with healthier cooking options like baking and air-frying.
Better Sweet and Sour Chicken
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: ~35 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup flour (or substitute with more cornstarch for extra crispiness)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder (for extra crunch)
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
For the Sweet & Sour Sauce:
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup vinegar (white or rice vinegar)
- ¼ cup brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional, for umami)
- ½ cup pineapple juice (or water)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch, dissolved in 1 tablespoon water (to thicken)
For the Stir-Fry Vegetables (Optional but Recommended!):
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- ½ cup pineapple chunks (adds natural sweetness)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- In a bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, and baking powder.
- Dip chicken pieces in beaten eggs, then coat in the flour mixture.
- Let rest for 5 minutes (this helps the coating stick better).
2. Fry or Bake the Chicken (Choose One!)
🔥 Deep Fry (For Extra Crispy Chicken!)
- Heat oil (about 1 inch deep) in a pan to 180°C (350°F).
- Fry chicken in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove and drain on paper towels.
🔥 Air Fry (For a Healthier Option!)
- Preheat air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
- Spray chicken with oil and air-fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
🔥 Oven-Bake (For Less Oil!)
- Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F).
- Arrange chicken on a baking sheet, spray lightly with oil, and bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
3. Make the Sweet & Sour Sauce
- In a saucepan, mix ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and pineapple juice.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens.
4. Stir-Fry the Vegetables (Optional but Recommended!)
- In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil.
- Sauté bell peppers and onions for 2 minutes.
- Add pineapple chunks and cook for 1 more minute.
5. Combine Everything & Serve!
- Toss crispy chicken into the sweet and sour sauce until well coated.
- Add stir-fried vegetables & pineapple (if using).
- Serve over steamed rice and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Sweet and Sour Chicken:
✔ Use cornstarch & baking powder for the crispiest coating.
✔ Fry in batches to avoid soggy chicken.
✔ Balance flavors – Adjust sugar or vinegar to taste.
✔ For extra crunch, double-fry the chicken (let it cool, then refry for 1 minute).
✔ Use pineapple juice – It enhances the sauce’s natural sweetness.
