Description
Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken in 30 minutes! Get dinner on the table fast with tangy, sweet flavors. Your busy weeknights just got tastier.
Ingredients
Scale
- Chicken & Coating:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for frying)
- Sweet & Sour Sauce Staples:
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water or chicken broth
- Veggies & Aromatics:
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (canned, drained, or fresh)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- Finishing Touches:
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 green onions (scallions), thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken & Whisk the Sauce: First things first, let’s get that chicken ready! Grab your boneless, skinless chicken breasts and cut them into nice, even bite-sized pieces. We want them about an inch big so they cook up super quick. In a bowl, whisk that egg, then toss the chicken in it. Now, sprinkle over the cornstarch, salt, and pepper, making sure every piece is coated. Honestly, this is where I usually get a little messy, but it’s worth it! While that’s sitting for a sec, grab another bowl and whisk together your ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, and water (or broth) for the sauce. Give it a good whisk until the sugar dissolves. It smells tangy already, doesn’t it?
- Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat with a splash of oil. Once it’s shimmering, add your coated chicken in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan, hon! If you do, the chicken will steam instead of getting that lovely golden-brown crisp, and we definitely don’t want soggy chicken. You might need to do this in batches. Let it cook for about 3-4 minutes per side until it’s beautifully golden and cooked through. I always sneak a tiny piece here to “test” it – it’s a chef’s perk, right? Remove the chicken and set it aside.
- Sauté the Veggies & Aromatics: Using the same skillet (don’t clean it, those bits are flavor!), add a tiny bit more oil if needed. Toss in your chopped bell peppers, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until the peppers are just starting to soften but still have a nice crunch. We’re not looking for mushy here, just vibrant and fragrant. The smell of the garlic and ginger cooking together? Oh, it’s just the best, instantly makes my kitchen feel warm and inviting. This step is super fast, so keep an eye on it!
- Introduce the Easy Sweet and Sour Sauce: Pour that whisked sweet and sour sauce mixture into the skillet with the veggies. Stir it all together, scraping up any delicious bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, and watch as it starts to thicken. This usually takes just a couple of minutes. The cornstarch in the chicken coating, and any residual on the pan, will help it along. It should coat the back of a spoon. If it gets too thick, a tiny splash of water will fix it right up!
- Combine & Stir in the Pineapple: Once the sauce is thick and glossy, it’s time to bring back our star! Add the seared chicken pieces back into the skillet. Toss everything gently to coat the chicken and veggies completely in that luscious sweet and sour sauce. Now, add your pineapple chunks. I love how the pineapple warms through and releases its juices into the sauce. This is where the magic truly happens, seeing all the vibrant colors come together.
- Final Touches & Serve Your Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken: Give it one last gentle stir to ensure everything is coated and heated through. Drizzle with a tiny bit of sesame oil for that irresistible nutty aroma – it’s a small touch that makes a huge difference, trust me! Sprinkle with freshly sliced green onions. Your Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken is ready! It should look glossy, smell amazing, and taste like pure comfort. Serve it immediately over fluffy rice, and honestly, you’ll feel so proud of what you just whipped up in 30 minutes.