Imagine a dish that perfectly balances tangy, sweet, and savory flavors in every single bite - welcome to the world of Saucy Sweet Sour Chicken! This mouthwatering Chinese-inspired recipe is about to revolutionize your home cooking, transforming an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary adventure. Whether you're craving a quick weeknight meal or looking to impress your dinner guests, this recipe promises restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Chinese
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
- 1 cup bell peppers, chopped
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1/2 cup sweet and sour sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by cutting chicken breast into uniform 1-inch cubes. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, ensuring even coating.
- Chop bell peppers into bite-sized pieces and drain pineapple chunks if using canned fruit. Set aside prepared ingredients.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Allow oil to become hot but not smoking.
- Add seasoned chicken cubes to the hot skillet, spreading them in a single layer. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even browning on all sides.
- Once chicken is golden and nearly cooked through, add chopped bell peppers to the skillet. Sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes until peppers are slightly tender.
- Pour sweet and sour sauce and soy sauce over chicken and peppers. Stir to coat ingredients completely.
- Add pineapple chunks to the skillet, gently mixing to distribute evenly. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until sauce is heated and slightly thickened.
- Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 1-2 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or sauce if needed.
- Remove from heat and serve hot over steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired.
Tips
- Cut chicken into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
- Use high heat when initially searing chicken to achieve a beautiful golden-brown exterior.
- Don't overcrowd the skillet - this helps chicken brown instead of steam.
- For extra flavor, marinate chicken in soy sauce for 15 minutes before cooking.
- Fresh pineapple chunks can elevate the dish's flavor compared to canned fruit.
- If sauce is too thin, mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with water and add to thicken.
- Serve immediately for the best taste and texture, preferably over steamed jasmine rice.
- Garnish with fresh green onions or sesame seeds for added visual appeal and flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 85mg
