SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN

Sweet and Sour Chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish known for its delightful combination of tangy and sweet flavors. Here’s a simple recipe for making Sweet and Sour Chicken at home:

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 cup cornstarch, for coating
• 2 eggs, beaten
• Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch, mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)

For Stir-Frying:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
• Green onions, chopped, for garnish
• Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Chicken:
   • Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Coat each piece in cornstarch, then dip in beaten eggs, ensuring they are well coated.
2. Fry Chicken:
   • In a large skillet or wok, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken pieces until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. Make Sweet and Sour Sauce:
   • In a bowl, whisk together ketchup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, and granulated sugar. Adjust the sweetness and tanginess according to your taste.
4. Thicken Sauce:
   • In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water. Add this mixture to the sweet and sour sauce. Stir well and set aside.
5. Stir-Fry Vegetables:
   • In the same skillet or wok, add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Stir-fry the diced bell pepper and onion until they are slightly tender.

1. Combine Sauce and Vegetables:
   • Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the stir-fried vegetables. Allow the sauce to thicken as it simmers.
2. Add Fried Chicken and Pineapple:
   • Add the fried chicken pieces and pineapple chunks to the sauce. Gently toss everything together until the chicken is well coated and heated through.
3. Garnish and Serve:
   • Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve the Sweet and Sour Chicken over rice.

Enjoy this homemade Sweet and Sour Chicken with its deliciously balanced flavors!