The Best Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe: Tangy and Sweet Perfection

Sweet and Sour Chicken is one of the most preferred recipes from the Chinese menu loved and enjoyed by people worldwide. A word of caution though, this has both sweet, tangy, and savory, making it more of a comfort food that can be eaten anytime. Sweet and Sour Chicken is also very easy to make and the presentation with beautiful colors and the glossy sauce is irresistible. This paper will include the following description; the history of Sweet and Sour Chicken, ingredients used in preparing the dish, methods of cooking Sweet and Sour Chicken, and an indication of why it’s a popular dish among many people.

Origins of Sweet and Sour Chicken

 Sweet and Sour Chicken has its origin from Chinese cuisine and it is well known that the basic theme of cuisines here is the idea of yin and yang. The sour and sweet characteristics of the sauce are part of the Chinese recipes, especially those coming from the Cantonese Province. Over the years, this dish has been developed to tip the different demographic pulls in different regions of the world. Now, Sweet and Sour Chicken is a part of every Chinese restaurant and home-made cooking, as well as a favorite dish for everyone, whether he/she is young or adult.

Ingredients that Make Sweet and Sour Chicken Special

 The essence of the perfect dish lies in the ingredients used in preparing the food item, in this particular type or model, the perfect piece is sweet and sour chicken. The chicken used is normally chicken fillet, or chicken breast preferably with the skin removed and the chicken cut into cubes or small pieces. These pieces are then dusted with cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper and then deep-fried to a crispy golden brown. This gives the chicken a crispy skin and then moist, pulpy insides for a great sensation in the mouth.

 This is the area where all the action is, the sauce. The Sweet and Sour is made up of ketchup, white vinegar, Sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and pineapple juice. The combination of these items brings the sauce which is slightly acidic and sweet at the same time which will be perfect with the fried chicken. Some water and cornstarch are used to achieve the thickness of the sauce, and this gives the sauce a shiny surface that sticks to the chicken pieces.

Cooking Methods for Sweet and Sour Chicken

 Nevertheless, there are some crucial procedures for preparing Sweet and Sour Chicken. First, the chicken pieces are coated and then fried to produce crispy chicken. This makes the outside of the chicken crisp while, at the same time, the inside remains soft to the taste buds. Subsequently, the sauce needed in the construction of Sweet and Sour is thickened to the right consistency. This sauce is then poured over the fried chicken ensuring that it covers each piece of the chicken.

 To increase the crispiness and taste, the chicken bell peppers, onions, and pineapples can be stirred to be added to the chicken and its sauce. This not only brings in a better presentation of the dish but also brings in a crispy feel and natural sweetness from the vegetables and the pineapple.

Why Sweet and Sour Chicken is a Favorite

 This is why Sweet and Sour Chicken has remained a preferred dish at many people’s dinner tables to this day. This proves that it is sweet and sour and this characteristic will make it fit most people’s pallets since it can be blended with most tastes. It has the feel-good properties of a great fried chicken base but the gleaming sauce on top is a new experience that also doesn’t bore the dish. Moreover, Sweet and Sour Chicken takes reasonable time in preparation and as such, can be prepared as a meal for a working day or a special occasion.

 It may be reflected by the preparation of the dish that other persons want. For instance, some may wish to add more vegetables, or they may want a change of taste of the sauce which is sour and slightly sweet. This is a comforting fact as Sweet and Sour Chicken is a very adaptable dish and it can easily be visualized in any family’s diet plan.

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The Best Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe: Tangy and Sweet Perfection

Author: Hiren Cooking Method: Frying, Stir Fry Cuisine: Chinese Courses: Dinner, Lunch Recipe Keys: High Protein Seafood

Difficulty: Advanced Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 15 mins Rest Time 10 mins Total Time 40 mins

Servings: 4 Calories: 320

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

Sweet and sour chicken is another mouth-watering Chinese cuisine whereby the chicken pieces are first marinaded, coated in bread crumbled, and fried before they are sautéed in a usually Chinese sweet and sour and somewhat sticky gravy. This is a combination that you will not mind licking off the plate and is favored by children as well as most adults.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (450g)
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• ¹⁄₂ cup all-purpose flour
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon salt
• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon black pepper
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

• ¹⁄₂ cup ketchup
• ¹⁄₂ cup white vinegar
• ¹⁄₂ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ¹⁄₂ cup pineapple juice
• 1 tablespoon 1 cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)

Optional Ingredients:

• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• ¹⁄₂ cup pineapple chunks
• ¹⁄₂ onion, chopped
• Sesame seeds (for garnish)
• Green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • In a bowl, mix the cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper.
   • Dip the chicken pieces into the beaten eggs, then coat them in the cornstarch mixture.
   Mark as complete

1. Fry the Chicken:

   • Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
   • Fry the chicken pieces until golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
   Mark as complete

1. Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

   • In a medium saucepan, combine ketchup, white vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and pineapple juice.
   • Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
   • Add the cornstarch-water mixture and stir until the sauce thickens.
   Mark as complete

1. Combine and Cook:

   • In a large pan or wok, add a little oil and stir-fry the bell peppers, pineapple chunks, and onion (if using) until slightly tender.
   • Add the fried chicken pieces and pour the sweet and sour sauce over everything.
   • Stir well to coat the chicken and vegetables in the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.
   Mark as complete

1. Serve:

   • Serve the Sweet and Sour Chicken hot over steamed rice.
   • Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired.
   Mark as complete

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 320kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 10g16%

Saturated Fat 2g10%

Cholesterol 60mg20%

Sodium 605mg26%

Potassium 396mg12%

Total Carbohydrate 22g8%

Dietary Fiber 2g8%

Sugars 15g

Protein 25g50%

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Vitamin C 32 mg

Calcium 38 mg

Iron 1 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

• Ensure the breading on the chicken is crisp and light by using a cornstarch mixture.
• If you prefer a different texture, try using tapioca flour/starch as a substitute for cornstarch.

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