Are you ready to take your taste buds on a culinary adventure that combines the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors? This Festive Sweet and Sour Chicken is not just another ordinary recipe – it's a mouthwatering journey that brings the vibrant essence of Chinese cuisine right to your dining table. In just 45 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality dish that will have your family and friends begging for seconds, proving that gourmet cooking can be both simple and incredibly delicious!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: Chinese
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by cutting chicken breast into uniform 1-inch cubes, dicing bell peppers and onions into similar-sized pieces, and draining pineapple chunks.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth, creating the sweet and sour sauce. Set aside.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until it shimmers and is hot but not smoking.
- Add cubed chicken to the hot skillet, spreading pieces evenly to ensure proper browning. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is golden and cooked through.
- Add diced onions and bell peppers to the skillet, sautéing for an additional 3-4 minutes until vegetables are slightly tender but still crisp.
- Pour the prepared sweet and sour sauce over the chicken and vegetables, stirring continuously to coat evenly and allow the sauce to thicken.
- Gently fold in pineapple chunks and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, ensuring everything is heated thoroughly and sauce reaches desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and let stand for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to meld and sauce to slightly cool.
- Serve hot over steamed rice, garnishing with optional chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Tips
- Chicken Cutting Technique: Cut chicken into uniform 1-inch cubes to ensure even cooking and attractive presentation.
- Sauce Preparation: Whisk the sauce ingredients thoroughly to prevent cornstarch from clumping, creating a smooth, glossy coating.
- High Heat is Key: Use medium-high heat when cooking chicken to achieve that perfect golden-brown exterior without overcooking.
- Vegetable Crunch: Sauté vegetables just until they're slightly tender to maintain a delightful crisp texture.
- Sauce Consistency: Stir continuously when adding sauce to achieve the ideal thickness – it should coat the chicken and vegetables smoothly.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve immediately over steamed rice and garnish with green onions or sesame seeds for an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal.
- Make-Ahead Tip: You can prep ingredients in advance to make cooking even faster on busy weeknights!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 359kcal
Carbohydrates: 27g
Protein: 37g
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 93mg
