Sweet and Sour Chicken - CJ Eats Recipes (2024)

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By Chris Joe

5 from 20 votes

Aug 02, 2023

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Sweet and Sour Chicken is super popular Chinese American takeout dish! The ultra crispy chicken is nicely seasoned, juicy, and coated in a classic sweet and sour sauce that pairs deliciously with some freshly steamed rice.

If you’re a fan of Sweet and Sour Chicken, you’ll never need to order takeout again after trying this recipe!

Watch the Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe Video Below!

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Ingredients for Sweet and Sour Chicken

This Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe is such a winner and perfect for a weeknight meal with a freshly steamed bowl of rice! Here is what you’ll need for the recipe:

  • Chicken Thigh (You can also use chicken breast for this recipe)
  • Kosher Salt
  • White Pepper
  • Light soy sauce (low sodium)
  • Egg
  • All Purpose Flour
  • Cornstarch
  • Chicken Stock – I always recommend Kettle & Fire – use code CJPINS for 20% off your order here!
  • Ketchup
  • Brown Sugar
  • Distilled White Vinegar
  • Baking Powder
  • Neutral Oil for Frying (canola, avocado, or vegetable work well!)
  • Onion
  • Bell Pepper (Yellow, Green, Red)
  • Pineapple
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INGREDIENTS TIPS

CHICKEN
I like to use chicken thigh in this recipe but if you prefer chicken breast, feel free to substitute here!

NEUTRAL OIL
My favorite neutral oil is avocado oil, but you can also use canola or vegetable oil! I don’t use olive oil when cooking Chinese food for two reasons: 1. It has a low burning point and 2. I find that the flavor profile does not usually go with the dish.

Sweet and Sour Chicken: Recipe Instructions

Cut the Chicken

The first step in making this recipe is cutting the chicken into 2″ pieces. Cut the chicken into uniform pieces so they cook evenly when we fry them.

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Next, place the sliced chicken into a bowl with light soy sauce, kosher salt, white pepper, egg, and flour. Mix well with your hands and let marinate for at least 20 minutes.

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Next, mix the sauce by combining chicken stock (I always use Kettle & Fire – get 20% off your order when you use code CJPINS!), ketchup, brown sugar, distilled white vinegar, and cornstarch. I always like to premix my sauce to have it ready to go during the fast cooking process.

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Dredge the chicken

Mix together flour, cornstarch, kosher salt, white pepper, and baking powder in a large bowl. Give the chicken a final mix to redistribute the wet batter and let any drip off the chicken. Individually coat the chicken pieces in the dry seasoning mix so that there are no dry spots!

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Be sure to pack the dry mix in to the chicken with your hands (I like squeezing it in) to properly coat the chicken so the batter sticks.

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Fry (and double fry) the chicken

Heat a few quarts of neutral oil over high heat until the temperature reaches 350F. Carefully fry the chicken in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. I highly recommend a thermometer to accurately measure your oil temperature, as you do not want the oil temperature to drop below 325F.

Remove the chicken then bring the oil temperature back up to 350F and fry a second time for an additional 1-2 minutes until the chicken is dark golden brown and crispy!

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Cook Peppers and Onions

Heat 1 tbsp of neutral oil in a wok or large pan over high heat and sauté the peppers and onions for 1 minute.

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Add the premixed sauce to the peppers and onions and mix until the sauce has thickened slightly. Add back the chicken and give it a good mix to combine and the pieces are thoroughly coated!

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If you liked this Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe, check out some of the most popular Chinese Take-Out recipes on the blog!

  • Chicken Lo Mein
  • Shrimp Fried Rice
  • Beef and Broccoli
  • Sesame Chicken
  • String Bean Chicken
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RECIPE TIPS

OIL TEMPERATURE
Do not let your frying oil drop below 325F when frying! I highly recommend you use a thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature. If you see it dropping below 325F, fry your wings in batches. Frying at a low temperature will result in too much moisture (AKA SOGGY!)

PREMIX YOUR SAUCE
The cooking process for the sauce is FAST so it’s a great idea to premix your sauce together, then add it straight into the pan! The corn starch will help thicken the sauce into that velvety texture that Chinese restaurants made so famous.

SUCCESS IS IN THE PREP
For a recipe that comes together extremely quickly, the key to pulling this recipe off successfully is having your ingredients prepped and in bowls right next to your wok or pan! Have your premixed sauce, chicken, and vegetables ready and easily accessible during the cooking process.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

By: Chris Joe

Servings: 3

Prep: 30 minutes mins

Cook: 15 minutes mins

Save

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This Sweet and Sour Chicken is perfectly crispy glazed in a sweet and tangy sauce and so much better than takeout!

Ingredients

Sweet and Sour Sauce

Dry Seasoning Mix

Vegetables and Fruit

  • 3 cups bell pepper, I used red, yellow and green bell pepper, cut to 2" pieces
  • 1/2 onion, cut into 2" pieces
  • 1/2 cup pineapple, cut into 2" pieces

Instructions

  • Cut the chicken thigh into similar size 2" pieces and place in a mixing bowl.

  • Season the chicken with light soy sauce, salt, white pepper, egg and flour. Mix until combined and marinate for 20 minutes.

  • In a bowl, mix together ketchup, brown sugar, white vinegar, chicken stock and cornstarch.

  • In a large bowl, mix together the Dry Seasoning Mix ingredients. Give the chicken another mix to evenly distribute the wet batter, then let any excess drip off and dredge the chicken in the dry mix. Pat the chicken pieces well to ensure there are no bald spots.

  • In a large dutch oven or wok, heat neutral oil to 350F and fry the chicken for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and remove.

  • Bring the oil temperature back to 350F and fry the chicken again for 1-2 minutes until dark golden brown and crispy.

  • In a wok or large pan over high heat, add 1 tbsp of neutral oil and cook the peppers and onions for 1 minute. Add pineapple and cook for another 30 seconds.

  • Add the premixed sauce and combine with peppers and onions until the sauce has thickened slightly. Add back the chicken and toss to combine and enjoy!

Additional Info

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Tried this recipe?Mention @cj.eats_ or tag #cjeatsrecipes!

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About CJ

I’m a third generation Chinese-American home cook who has always loved cooking & eating! Welcome to my food blog, where you can find trusted, tested, easy & approachable recipes for the everyday home cook that taste delicious! I am so glad you're here!

Read more about me

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Sweet and Sour Chicken - CJ Eats Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the batter made of in sweet and sour chicken? ›

Mix 1/4 cup cornstarch and 1/4 cup water together in a small bowl until smooth; pour into the sauce, stirring continuously, until slightly thickened. Place flour, 2 tablespoons oil, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, egg, salt, and white pepper in a large bowl; gradually whisk in 1 1/2 cups water to make a thick batter.

What is sweet and sour sauce made of? ›

While sweet and sour can be found in diverse forms in China, the American version builds upon the simple mixture of sugar, vinegar, and spices with the addition of fruit juice—most commonly pineapple—and ketchup, giving the sauce both its red hue and uniquely Western flavor.

Is sweet and sour chicken Hong Kong style the same as Cantonese? ›

Cantonese or Hong Kong Style? Our sweet and sour dishes are either 'Cantonese style' (which is the same as 'Hong Kong Style') or Sweet and Sour 'Balls' (thick battered). Our Cantonese style is cooked with the sauce, onions, peppers and pineapple.

What's the difference between orange chicken and sweet and sour chicken? ›

Basically, the sauce is what distinguishes one flavor from the others, so when making orange chicken, the sauce base is orange juice, with lemon, lemonade, pineapple, pineapple juice, and sweet and sour is tomato sauce or juice and vinegar and sugar or honey.

What is the difference between General Tso and sweet and sour chicken? ›

"General Tso's chicken has origins in Taiwan, but [those] trace back even further to Hunan," explains culinary creator Peter Som, who adds that both dishes feature the "characteristic balance of sour, savory, and salty" found in Hunan cuisine albeit "with General Tso's leaning more spicy and sweet and sour more on the ...

What is chicken batter made of? ›

Whisk egg and water medium bowl. Whisk in flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Let the batter sit for a few minutes. Coat each piece of chicken with dry flour.

What is a substitute for vinegar in sweet and sour sauce? ›

Lemon or lime juice are the two most common substitutes for white vinegar. You can also use rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar or malt vinegar but the taste of your sauce might be a tad different. Soy Sauce – I used low sodium. Ketchup – I used store bought.

What can I use instead of pineapple in sweet and sour? ›

From personal experience of not having canned/fresh pineapples in the kitchen, I just used a bit of lemon juice and an orange cut into large chunks. Chinese plum sweet & sour mix is one of my favorites.

How do you thicken sweet and sour sauce without cornstarch? ›

Use Flour and Water

Combine 2 tablespoons flour with every 1/4 cup cold water and whisk until smooth. Add the mixture to your sauce over medium heat, and continue to stir and cook until you've reached your desired consistency. Test with a spoon.

Is sweet and sour chicken real Chinese food? ›

Sweet and sour chicken is a dish frequently served in Chinese restaurants in various countries in Oceania, Europe, North America, and South America and available at some restaurants in East Asia and Southeast Asia in an essentially identical version.

Does sweet and sour chicken exist in China? ›

unless you are in an expensive high class restaurant. sweet and sour chicken does exist in China, but the sauce is at best light orange. roast duck (and this includes Peking/Beijing duck) is delicious and actually my favorite dish.

What does Cantonese mean? ›

plural Cantonese. 1. : a native or inhabitant of Guangzhou, China. 2. : the dialect of Chinese spoken in Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

Which is hotter General Tso or kung pao? ›

General Tso's is sweeter with a milder spice, featuring deep-fried battered chicken. Kung Pao is spicier with stir-fried chicken, vegetables, and peanuts.

What is healthier General Tso or sweet and sour chicken? ›

General Tso's chicken has slightly more calories

Deep-fried chicken coated in a sweet sauce is certainly not a diet food. Both sweet and sour chicken and General Tso's chicken are fairly calorie-dense offerings on Chinese food menus.

Is General Tso's chicken the same as orange chicken? ›

What is the difference between orange chicken and General Tso? Orange chicken is crispy fried with a fruity, sweet, and tangy sauce that's caramelized into a glaze. General Tso is stir-fried in a sweet, sour, and spicy umami sauce.

What is battered fried chicken? ›

dish consisting of chicken pieces which have been coated in a seasoned batter and pan-fried, deep fried, or pressure fried. Fried chicken are pieces of chicken that have been either battered or floured and then pan fried, pressure fried or deep fried. The breading adds a crisper crust to chickens' exterior.

Does KFC use batter? ›

While KFC won't be revealing its famous secret herb and spices blend (not even the staff know – it's locked away in a secret vault in the US), you can use our not-so-secret blend. The spices are mixed into flour which coats the chicken and becomes the crispy batter.

What is the main ingredient in Mcdonald's sweet and sour sauce? ›

Ingredients: High Fructose Corn Syrup, Water, Apricot Puree Concentrate And/or Peach Puree Concentrate, Distilled Vinegar, Contains 2% Or Less: Soy Sauce (water, Soybeans, Wheat, Salt), Salt, Modified Food Starch, Sherry Wine Powder, Dextrose, Soybean Oil, Xanthan Gum, Spices, Sodium Benzoate (preservative), Natural ...

Do sweet and sour chicken balls contain milk? ›

Make the batter by whisking together the flower, bicarbonate of soda, salt, water and milk. Dip the chicken into the batter and then straight into oil heated to 170c. Cook the chicken balls for 5-6 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 75c. drain onto some kitchen paper.

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