Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe with Pineapple

Sweet and Sour Chicken with pineapple, crispy chicken, and bell peppers that taste just like your favorite takeout place without the food coloring. The perfect balance of sweet yet sour Asian flavors that the whole family will LOVE.

Simple and Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken

Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time: 15 Minutes Total Time: 25 Minutes Servings: 4 Servings

In our house, we LOVE Asian-inspired foods. Sweet and Sour Chicken is a classic Chinese takeout option most of us are too afraid to make at home. And it can become very intimidating to cook a takeout recipe and use a traditional wok, but believe me when I tell you it is easier than you think. I came up with this recipe, Simple and Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken, as an experiment.

Which is how I mainly like to cook. Adding in a little of this and a little of that can be a lot of fun. Some recipes turn out as duds, while others make the “make again” cut. This made the cut, and I have been making it for years.

This recipe calls for a simple sauce that’s packed with the perfect balance of sweet, yet sour Asian flavors. Soy, sesame, garlic, and more. The sauce coats the chicken nicely and makes this dish what it is.

You’ll likely have extra which I could eat by the spoonful. Seriously, no lie! I always keep a spoon nearby for “tasting” purposes. That is at least what I tell everyone. We love all things sweet and sour, including Sweet and Sour Meatballs and Sweet and Sour Pork.

Are you ready to get Cooking?

You can print the ingredient list and the full recipe for Sweet and Sour Chicken below. Prep the sauce, cook the chicken, vegetables, and pineapple, stir and enjoy.

Ingredients Needed For Sweet & Sour Chicken

For Chicken

• 1 lb Chicken (Cut up into bite-size pieces)
• 1 cup Tempura Batter (we use Dynasty Gluten Free)
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 tbsp Sesame Seed oil

Easy Sweet and Sour Sauce

• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2/3 cup water
• 1/4 cup soy sauce – your preferred sauce (Many like Kikkoman Low Sodium Soy Sauce)
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 4 oz can or 4 pineapple rings chopped into chunks

 Sweet and Sour Chicken Cooking Tips

• Don’t try to coat your chicken with a heavy dose of tempura. Keep it light and simple. The heavier you go, the more doughy your bread coating will be.
• Don’t buy pineapple already labeled as “chunks”. These pieces are much too small and more of a mush of chunky pineapple. You want to purchase fresh pineapple or canned rings to be cut at home into bite-size pieces.
• Try using low-sodium soy sauce. This will cut down on the saltiness of this meal. And allows you to taste all the other ingredients.

Begin with the prep work first

I like to begin by prepping all my ingredients, such as cutting pineapple rings into bite-size pieces. Then in a large non-stick skillet or wok, heat oil over medium-high heat. Coat chicken with tempura batter and add to the pan. Cook chicken until browned on all sides.

After the chicken is fully cooked, I like to get as much oil off as I can. Using a paper towel, drain the grease from the chicken. Then set the chicken aside. 

To prepare the sweet & sour sauce; Put all ingredients listed below (for sauce) in a saucepan (dissolve cornstarch in water), stir, and bring to a boil. Stir frequently until thickened.

Add your crispy chicken to your sweet and sour sauce. (hmmm, can you just smell that Sweet and Sour chicken?) Once thick, add in pineapple chunks. Remember your “tasting” spoon? Pull that out and let your taste buds enjoy your cooking. I like to serve this recipe with a side of vegetables. However, I have added my veggies right into the sauce with the chicken.

Either way, if you serve it up, it will be delicious. See the full recipe below.

Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe

Once you make this recipe, you’ll be surprised by how easy it is to mimic Chinese takeout food. I think it tastes fresher and a lot healthier than takeout. After I eat Chinese food takeout, I end up feeling quite bloated and my fingers always swell up as a result. I prefer making my own versions at home. Don’t forget to serve it with a side of steamed white rice and some veggies.

Also, investing in a good wok will help with cooking. It isn’t necessary, but it makes cooking this dish easier. I love using my wok and use it for non-Asian-inspired meals.

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Eating out is easy, and it usually tastes delicious, but it’s expensive. Making this meal at home will save you money. Add this recipe to your weekly meal plan.