Crispy Sweet and Sour Chicken

4.51 from 91 votes

Crispy battered chicken stir-fried with bell peppers, onion and pineapple before being coated in a sticky sauce!

Prep Time15

Cook Time15

Total Time30

Course: dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Keyword: chinese sweet and sour chicken, sweet and sour chicken, sweet n sour chicken, sweet sour chicken

Servings: servings

Calories: 466kcal

Author: TipBuzz

1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces, or chicken breasts
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 cups flour
1 egg beaten
1 tablespoon oil canola oil or similar
1 ¼ cups water
vegetable oil for frying

In a large bowl, mix together the cornstarch, flour and salt. Add the egg, 1 tablespoon oil and water, whisking until smooth. (The consistency should be thick like pancake batter.)
Add the cubed chicken pieces to the batter and coat thoroughly. Let it marinate for 10 minutes at room temperature or up to one hour in the fridge (see note).
Add one inch of oil to a medium saucepan or deep fryer and heat to 350˚F. Set aside a wire rack and slotted spoon or mesh strainer.
Add the chicken to the hot oil in batches, frying for 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove to the rack with a slotted spoon and repeat for remaining chicken.
Place a skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the 1 tablespoon oil, onion and bell peppers and sauté for 2-4 minutes until slightly softened.
Add the pineapple to the pan followed by the sauce ingredients: garlic, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce and ketchup. Bring to a simmer and give it a taste test, adding sugar and vinegar to get the balance to your liking.
Mix the cornstarch and water together in a cup. Then slowly stir it into the pan. Reduce heat slightly and simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the sauce is thick enough to coat the vegetables.
Add the cooked chicken back to the pan and stir to coat evenly. Remove the skillet from heat (the sauce will thicken further and become sticky).
Garnish with optional sesame seeds and serve immediately.

Marinating: Longer marinating makes the chicken more tender, but it should be stored in the fridge and removed 15 minutes before cooking to prevent the oil temperature from dropping.
Lighter variations: Omit the batter and stir fry the cubed chicken in a skillet in 1 tablespoon oil. Alternatively, you can bake the breaded chicken on a baking sheet for 15 minutes at 350°F.
Make ahead: You can store this dish for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge (the flavor will improve but it will lose its crispiness). You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.