Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe (2024)

This crispy Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe is filled with tender chicken and stir fry veggies in a delicious homemade sweet and sour sauce!

Skip the take-out and make this classic Asian recipe a complete meal with my Crispy Chicken Egg Rolls, Egg Drop Soup and Quick Fried Rice.

Oh mama, this quick and easy Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe has quickly become one of my favorites.

That sweet and sour sauce coats the crispy fried chicken and crisp-tender veggies… but let’s not forget about that fresh pineapple!! It gives this dish a sweet flavor that’s sure to impress.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe

Making your own sweet and sour chicken at home may seem like a difficult task, but it’s actually very simple and straight forward.

You’ll be majorly impressed with the flavor of this classic dish!

Ingredients Needed For Sweet and Sour Chicken

Here’s a basic list of the ingredients you’ll need to make the recipe. As always, you can find the full, printable list in the recipe card below.

• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs – you could also use chicken breast
• Cornstarch – needed to make a crisp coating on the chicken as well as thicken the sauce
• Egg – for coating the chicken
• All purpose flour
• Canola Oil – for frying the chicken
• Yellow Onion
• Red Bell Pepper
• Green Bell Pepper
• Fresh Pineapple – you can omit this if you’re not a fan of cooked pineapple

How To Make Sweet and Sour Chicken

They key to a good Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe is a light and crispy chicken.

To achieve crispy chicken pieces here is what you’re going to do…

• Coat the chicken in cornstarch
• Dip each piece in lightly beaten egg
• Dredge (or lightly coat) in flour before
• Fry in about 1 inch of hot oil until browned and cooked through

PRO TIP: Set the fried chicken on a cooling rack instead of paper towels to achieve maximum crispiness.

Sweet and Sour Sauce Ingredients

The second key to an amazing homemade Sweet and Sour Chicken is the sauce. Sweet and sour sauce is comprised of sweet ingredients and sour ingredients… surprise, surprise!

Here is what you’ll need to make this amazing sauce at home…

• Sugar
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Ketchup
• Soy Sauce
• Sesame Oil
• Brown Sugar
• Minced Garlic
• Cornstarch + Water slurry

Simply combine the ingredients needed for the sauce in a large measuring cup or bowl and whisk to combine.

Why Is Sweet and Sour Sauce Red?

You’ll notice that this homemade sweet and sour sauce is a muted red color, where most Chinese restaurants serve a very vibrant red colored sauce.

The ketchup is what gives this recipe it’s red color.

However, if you want a more vibrant color, you’ll have to add a red food coloring to it. I don’t think that’s necessary as it doesn’t add anything to the flavor of the dish.

Do I Have To Add Pineapple?

When it comes to the veggies and pineapple, you’re the boss. I’ve included the bell peppers, onions and pineapple to make this Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe a complete meal.

However, if you JUST want chicken and sauce, feel free to do so!

I will say that I’m not typically a fan of cooked pineapple, but when I used FRESH pineapple to make this recipe it really spoke to me. I loved it soooo much!

What To Serve with Sweet and Sour Chicken

Want to make this delicious recipe a complete meal? Here is what we love to serve it with…

• Steamed White or Brown Rice
• Quick and Easy Brown Fried Rice
• Steamed Edamame
• Crispy Chicken Egg Rolls
• Egg Drop Soup

More Asian Chicken Recipes To Try

Craving more? I’ve got you covered with plenty of Asian Recipes to make. Here are a few you might like…

• Kung Pao Chicken
• General Tso’s Chicken
• Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken
• Honey Sesame Chicken Stir Fry
• The Best Orange Chicken Recipe

I can’t wait for you to give this recipe a try! I know you’re going to love it as much as we do!

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