Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
This Sweet & Sour Chicken Recipe makes it easy to bring takeout-style flavor home with simple steps and pantry staples.
This chicken recipe gives you everything you need to make a crispy, tangy dinner that’s fast, family-friendly, and perfect for busy nights.
It’s a reliable go-to when you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen, and it pairs effortlessly with rice, veggies, or noodles for a complete, crowd-pleasing meal.
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What ingredients are in sweet and sour chicken?
- Chicken Thighs stay tender and juicy throughout cooking thanks to their natural richness.
- Cornstarch creates a light, crisp coating that browns well and helps the sauce cling to the chicken. It keeps the texture airy rather than heavy, which is exactly what makes sweet and sour chicken so delicious.
- Sugar adds sweetness and helps create the glossy, sticky finish the sauce is known for.
- Apple Cider Vinegar brings the tangy, sour flavor that balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Ketchup adds color, mild sweetness, and a subtle tomato base that rounds out the flavor.
- Soy sauce adds a savory, salty depth that keeps the sauce balanced so it doesn’t end up too sweet.
How to Make Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Dice the chicken as close in size so they brown evenly and finish cooking at the same time.
- Coat the chicken pieces in cornstarch, dipping them in egg, and browning them in a hot skillet until they’re crisp on the outside.
- Transfer the browned chicken to a bowl while you whisk together the sauce ingredients—sugar, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, and garlic powder—then heat the sauce until it boils and thickens slightly.
- Pour the warm sauce over the chicken, toss to coat, and spread everything onto a greased, parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for about an hour, stirring every 15 minutes so the sauce caramelizes and coats the chicken evenly.
Don’t Forget To…
- Scroll down to print the full recipe with step-by-step instructions and exact measurements.
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Yes! Chicken breasts work just fine—just be careful not to overcook them before baking.
This dish reheats well, but it tastes best fresh from the oven when the coating is crisp. If prepping ahead, store the cooked chicken and sauce separately, then bake together before serving.
Absolutely. Bell peppers, onions, and pineapple are delicious additions. Add them during the last 20–30 minutes of baking.
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Serving Suggestions
- Spoon over steamed white rice, brown rice, or fried rice.
- Add a side of stir-fried veggies like bell peppers, onions, zucchini, or broccoli.
- Serve with egg rolls, dumplings, or a simple Asian-inspired salad.
- Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, or even pineapple tidbits for a fun twist.
- Offer extra sauce on the side if your family loves a saucier dish.
If you’re craving more cozy meals and delicious sides, be sure to check out these great ideas too.
- Comfort Food Recipes are perfect for those nights when you want something warm, satisfying, and guaranteed to make everyone at the table happy.
- Hearty Dinner Recipes offer filling, flavorful options that turn simple ingredients into a comforting meal your whole family will love.
- A side like Thai Cucumber Salad adds a refreshing, tangy crunch that pairs beautifully with something similar like sweet and sour shrimp.
Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced into 2” pieces
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup Corn Starch
- 3 eggs beaten
- ¼ cup Oil
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- chopped green onions optional for serving
- rice, cooked and kept warm optional for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Grease the parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Add cornstarch, salt and pepper to a bowl, mix well and set aside.
- Add beaten eggs to a separate bowl and set aside.
- Add oil to a skillet and heat over medium heat. Once oil is hot, dredge chicken into the cornstarch mixture, coating all sides. Add to egg and place into the pan of hot oil.
- If necessary, work in batches and brown the chicken on all sides, about 2-3 minutes each side. You don't need to fully cook the chicken, just brown and crispy on the outside. Place chicken into a large bowl.
- Add sugar, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce and garlic powder to a small saucepan and mix well. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture begins to boil. Boil and stir for one minute.
- Remove from heat and carefully pour on top of the chicken. Mix well for sauce to evenly coat.
- Bake for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Serve on top of white rice with chopped green onions if desired.
I love sweet & sour chicken! I am definitely trying this recipe! Thanks for sharing.
This looks so yummy and I will have to try out the recipe 🙂
My husband loves sweet and sour chicken. He would eat it all the time if he could. I need to try this recipe for him.