Best Crispy Sweet And Sour Chicken: A Step-By-Step Guide

Sweet and sour chicken is an incredibly appealing dish thanks to the harmonious blend of tangy and subtly sweet flavors, combined with lean yet tender chicken meat. A touch of fried garlic, red onion, bell peppers, or pineapple (optional) adds to the rich flavor. If you’re looking for a nutritious and unique option, sweet and sour chicken is sure to impress.

Name of the dish	Storage time	Notes on preparation
Sweet and sour stir-fried chicken	1-2 days in the refrigerator	Don’t stir-fry for too long; the sauce will evaporate, and the chicken will become dry.

Ingredients needed

To make sweet and sour chicken, you’ll need fresh chicken breast, seasonings to create sourness (such as vinegar, lemon juice, or tomato sauce), and sweetness (sugar, honey, etc.). You’ll also need a deep frying pan, a sharp knife, and a cutting board specifically for chicken. The right proportions will result in a fragrant and perfectly flavored dish.

Type of ingredient	Quantitative
Chicken	400 – 500g
Lemon juice or vinegar	1-2 tablespoons (depending on your preference for sourness)
Sugar or honey	Just enough to create a sweet taste.
Garlic, red onion, bell pepper (optional)	Sufficient
Oil	2-3 tablespoons

Helpful tip:

You can substitute vinegar with ketchup or pureed pineapple to add a sour flavor.
Honey gives the dish a delicate aroma and a beautiful golden color. If you don’t have honey, you can use sugar instead.
Colorful bell peppers or onions will add nutritional value and visual appeal to your stir-fry.

Pre-processing the ingredients

The preparation process includes cleaning the chicken breast, removing any excess fat, and cutting it into bite-sized pieces. At the same time, you need to prepare the sweet and sour sauce separately, or prepare ingredients like bell peppers and onions to stir-fry alongside, which will enhance the flavor.

Wash the chicken breast with salt water, drain, cut into pieces about 1 cm thick, and marinate with salt, pepper, and a little fish sauce.
If using bell peppers or onions, wash them thoroughly and cut them into cubes or wedges.
To make sweet and sour sauce: mix vinegar (or lemon juice), sugar (or honey), a little ketchup, and stir until dissolved.
Peel and finely chop the garlic and shallots.

Ingredients to make the sweet and sour chicken

Make sweet and sour stir-fried chicken.

In this step, you stir-fry the chicken breast until cooked through, then add the sweet and sour sauce along with the other ingredients. The key is to control the heat and cooking time properly so that the chicken absorbs the sauce but remains tender and not tough.

Sauté the garlic and shallots in oil until fragrant. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry over medium heat.
When the chicken is cooked through (about 70-80%), add the sweet and sour sauce mixture, and taste to adjust the sweetness and sourness to your liking.
Add bell peppers and onions (if using), stir well, and cook over high heat for about 2-3 minutes.
If you want a thicker sauce, you can dissolve some cornstarch in water and add it in.
Turn off the heat when the sauce has thickened, and the chicken is tender.

Enjoy sweet and sour stir-fried chicken with white rice

Sweet and sour chicken is considered perfect when it has a mild sourness, a subtle sweetness, tender chicken, and a smooth, creamy sauce. Pairing it with hot white rice creates a balanced, easy-to-eat, and nutritious meal.

Scoop the sweet and sour chicken onto a plate, and drizzle with the sauce to coat the chicken evenly.
Serve hot with white rice, and you can add lettuce or cucumber to balance the richness.
Garnish with a little chopped green onion or sprinkle with roasted sesame seeds to make the dish look more appealing.
If there’s any sauce left, you can use it as a dipping sauce for boiled vegetables.
The meal is made more varied when combined with vegetable soup or a light broth.

Enjoy sweet and sour stir-fried chicken with white rice

Tips for preserving sweet and sour stir-fried chicken

Sweet and sour sauces can cause food to spoil more quickly if not stored properly. Make sure you let the food cool completely before storing it and use food-safe containers.

Let it cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for about 1-2 days.
When reheating, you can stir-fry it again, adding a little water or pre-made sauce to prevent the dish from drying out.
Check the color and aroma before serving, especially the sweet and sour sauce.
Avoid leaving food exposed to the air for too long, as bacteria can easily grow and spoil it.
If you don’t finish it all, you should divide the portion into smaller servings to reduce the number of times you open the container.

Guide to choosing fresh and delicious ingredients

The quality of the chicken breast and the sweet and sour dressing will determine whether the dish is appealing or not. Pay attention to the origin, expiration date, and appearance of the ingredients.

Chicken breast: Choose meat that is still moist, light pink in color, and free of bruises or strange odors.
Vinegar or lemon: Traditional rice vinegar or fresh, juicy lemons are preferred.
Sugar and honey: Carefully check the quality and expiration date. Pure honey has a golden color and a mild aroma.
Bell peppers, onions: The outer skin should be fresh and not bruised or rotten.
Where to buy: Choose reputable stores or supermarkets that clearly state the origin of the product.

Guide to choosing fresh and delicious ingredients

Sweet and sour chicken is the perfect choice for those who love a light, tangy, and sweet flavor while maintaining a slim figure. Each tender piece of chicken is infused with the sweet and sour sauce, complemented by the vibrant colors of bell peppers or onions, making it both delicious and visually appealing. You can adjust the level of sourness and sweetness to suit your family’s taste.

Read More: R4 Sweet & Sour Chicken

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