Sweet And Sour Chicken With Pineapple Recipe

A delicious sweet-and-sour chicken dish with pineapple combines tender chicken in a tangy sauce, that is enhanced still further by juicy pineapple bits.

Often it is served with rice or noodles, all of which go well together to produce a complete meal. Sweet yet light, is both nutritious and tasty. This favorite recipe has enough variety to satisfy every taste, making it a great main dish for Chinese dinner.

This recipe is not difficult to follow and with some very basic ingredients, you can have it out on the table very quickly–perfect for your busy weeknights.

Ingredients

To make this flavorful dish, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 2 eggs
• Salt and pepper
• Vegetable oil

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons of water to thicken)
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice (from canned pineapple)
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (canned or fresh)

Optional Vegetables:

• 1 bell pepper
• 1 small onion
• 1 carrot

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken

1. Cut the skinless, boneless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Fill a shallow bowl with cornstarch, and in another bowl beat the eggs.
3. Coat chicken pieces first in cornstarch and then dip them into the egg.

Fry the Chicken

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Fry the chicken pieces in batches, turning occasionally until they become golden brown and are cooked all the way through (this will usually take about 5-6 minutes). Then you can just eat and wait no more!
3. Lift the chicken from the pan and dispose of it on a plate with paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Prepare the Sweet and Sour Sauce

1. In a small bowl, mix ketchup, white vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, and pineapple juice.
2. Dissolve the cornstarch in water to make a slurry.
3. Add the sauce mixture to the pot, using low heat. Cook and stir constantly. Once it has started to simmer, add the cornstarch slurry. Stir until the sauce is thickened smooth, and glossy.

Combine Chicken and Sauce

1. In the same pan, add the pineapple chunks, and other vegetables like bell pepper, onion, and carrot if you’re using them.
2. Cook 2-3 minutes, or until the vegetables become just cooked.
3. Mix fried chicken back into the pan and stir to coat with sweet and sour sauce.

Serve

Once everything has been thoroughly mixed with the sauce and heated through, take the skillet off the heat. Sweet-and-sour chicken with pineapple Serve over steamed rice or noodles and you’ll have a perfect meal.

Tips for Success

1. Double Fry the Chicken: For an even crisper chicken than before, fry it a second time. After the first frying is done, let them cool for a few minutes and then fry once more until they turn even crisper.
2. Add Vegetables: To make this dish, while pineapple is a must, simply add in some bell peppers; some onions, and some carrots for visual effect if not actual taste.
3. Adjust the Sweetness: If you don’t like your sauce so sweet, reduce sugar or if you prefer more natural sweetness replace it with honey.
4. Use Fresh Pineapple: The canned pineapple is good, but the fresh pineapple adds even more flavor and juiciness. Just don’t forget to utilize the juice from your pineapple in the sauce, and you can make it delicious.

Variations

• Baked Version: Instead of frying the chicken, you may also bake it in the oven. Just coat chicken with cornstarch and eggs, then place it on a greased baking sheet and bake at 375 °F (190°C) for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.
• Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free tamari sauce to replace the soy sauce, and make sure your cornstarch is gluten-free too.
• Vegetarian Version: To make this plant-based, use tofu or tempeh in place of the chicken. Be sure to keep the same sweet and sour sauce and veggies so it is still flavorful and delicious.
• Sweet and Sour Shrimp: A seafood twist on this classic using shrimp instead of chicken. shrimp takes less time to cook than chicken does so be careful about cooking it properly.
• Spicy Sweet and Sour Chicken: To give your sweet and sour sauce a spicy tang add one teaspoon of chilli flakes (or some hot sauce) into it.

FAQs (Sweet And Sour Chicken With Pineapple Recipe)

Can I prepare this dish in advance?

Yes, you can make the Sweet and Sour Sauce beforehand. It can then be kept in the fridge for up to several days. You can also fry chicken up beforehand. Simply store the sauce and chicken separately; when you want to use them together again, sizzle (fry) it.

What other proteins can I use?

You could also use shrimp, pork, or tofu if you aren’t a fan of chicken. Change the cooking time according to your protein choice.

Can sweet and sour chicken be frozen?

Yes, freeze the sauce and the cooked chicken separately. When you want to reheat them, take them both from the freezer and place in the refrigerator overnight so they can thaw.

Conclusion

The sweet and sour pineapple chicken recipe is a blend of flavors that has everything one could wish for. It is therefore a favorite dish for the family to eat at home, and it also goes well in restaurants.

This dish combines delightfully crispy chicken, sweet pineapple juice, warm vegetables, and a rich gravy that holds it all together.

While you can choose between the traditional version and the more unusual ones, sweet and sour chicken with pineapple will become a steady standard.