Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe

Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe – A Delicious and Easy Homemade Dish

Introduction
Sweet and Sour Chicken is a popular dish that combines crispy chicken pieces with a tangy and slightly sweet sauce. It’s a favorite in Chinese cuisine and can be easily made at home with simple ingredients. This recipe will guide you through making a restaurant-style Sweet and Sour Chicken with a perfectly balanced sauce.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• ½ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 egg
• ½ cup water
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

• ½ cup ketchup
• ⅓ cup rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (to thicken)
• 1 teaspoon ginger (grated)
• 1 garlic clove (minced)
• ½ cup pineapple chunks (optional)
• ½ cup bell peppers (red and green, chopped)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Batter

1. In a bowl, mix cornstarch, flour, salt, black pepper, egg, water, and baking powder until you get a smooth batter.
2. Dip the chicken pieces into the batter, ensuring they are well coated.

Step 2: Fry the Chicken

1. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat.
2. Fry the battered chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and crispy (about 4-5 minutes per batch).
3. Remove and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.

Step 3: Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce

1. In a pan over medium heat, mix ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves.
2. Add ginger, garlic, bell peppers, and pineapple chunks. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
3. Mix cornstarch with water and add to the sauce, stirring until it thickens.

Step 4: Combine and Serve

1. Add the fried chicken pieces to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
2. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Tips for the Best Sweet and Sour Chicken

• Crispy Chicken: Fry in small batches to keep the chicken crispy.
• Balanced Sauce: Adjust the sugar and vinegar ratio for the perfect balance of sweet and sour.
• Extra Flavor: Add sesame seeds or chopped green onions for garnish.

Enjoy this homemade Sweet and Sour Chicken that tastes just like your favorite takeout! 😋