Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe: A Tangy Takeout Classic Made at Home

Craving Takeout? This Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe Is All You Need!

If you’ve ever wondered how to make that perfectly crispy, glossy, and tangy sweet and sour chicken at home, this is it. This restaurant-style dish combines crispy fried chicken bites with a sticky, sweet, and tangy sauce that’s bursting with flavour. Whether you’re craving the Chinese sweet and sour chicken recipe you love from your favourite restaurant or just looking for an easy sweet and sour chicken recipe, this one ticks all the boxes.

What Is Sweet and Sour Chicken?

Sweet and sour chicken is a classic Chinese-American dish featuring bite-sized pieces of battered and fried chicken, coated in a sauce made from sugar, vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce. The flavour balance of sweet and sour is what makes this dish irresistible.

Originating from Cantonese cuisine, this dish was popularised in Western restaurants and is now a go-to favourite on Chinese takeout menus around the world.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Crispy chicken with a golden crust
• Bold, sweet, and tangy flavor from the homemade sauce
• Family favorite for weeknights or dinner parties
• Customizable: add pineapple, bell peppers, or go meat-free

Key Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
• ½ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

• ½ cup white sugar
• ¼ cup white vinegar or rice vinegar
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)
• Optional: ½ cup pineapple juice (for pineapple lovers)

For the Stir Fry (Optional):

• 1 bell pepper (red or green), chopped
• ½ cup canned pineapple chunks
• ½ red onion, chopped

Step-by-Step: How to Make Sweet and Sour Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Step 2: Set Up Your Breading Station

In one bowl, mix the flour and cornflour. In another, beat the eggs. Dip the chicken pieces first into the flour mixture, then into the egg, and back into the flour again. This double-dipping method ensures the crispy texture we all love.

Step 3: Fry Until Crispy

Heat oil in a deep skillet or wok. Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 3–4 minutes per batch. Drain on a wire rack or paper towel.

Step 4: Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce

In a saucepan, whisk together the sugar, vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce. Bring to a simmer. Once bubbly, add the cornflour slurry and stir until thick and glossy.

Step 5: Optional Veggies

In a large wok or frying pan, sauté bell peppers, onions, and pineapple chunks for 2–3 minutes until slightly tender.

Step 6: Combine & Serve

Add the crispy chicken and sauce to the stir-fried veggies. Toss well until everything is coated evenly. Serve immediately over jasmine rice or noodles.

Easy Variations to Try

1. Sweet and Sour Chicken with Pineapple
Add ½ cup pineapple chunks and ¼ cup pineapple juice to the sauce. This makes it sweeter and more tropical, just like the Chinese restaurant version.

2. Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken
Instead of frying, coat the chicken and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes. Then pour the sauce over and broil for 5 minutes.

3. Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken
Place chicken, sauce, and veggies into a crockpot. Cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours.

4. Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls
Use a thicker batter and form into round fritters for a dim sum–style twist.

Nutritional Info (Per Serving Estimate)

• Calories: ~450
• Protein: 28g
• Fat: 14g
• Carbs: 50g
• Sugar: 22g
• Note: You can reduce sugar by swapping for honey or a low-glycaemic sweetener.

FAQs:

What ingredients are in sweet and sour chicken?
Chicken, cornflour, flour, eggs, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, and optional pineapple and bell peppers.

Is sweet and sour chicken healthy?
While delicious, it’s not the lightest dish due to frying and sugar. For a healthier version, bake the chicken and reduce the sugar in the sauce.

What does sweet and sour chicken taste like?
It’s tangy, slightly sweet, and savoury, with crispy chicken pieces that soak up a sticky, flavourful sauce.

Is sweet and sour chicken Chinese or American?
It originates from Cantonese cuisine but became popularised as a Chinese-American takeout dish.

Can I make sweet and sour chicken without frying?
Yes! Try baking or air frying for a healthier alternative.

Pro Tips for Perfect Sweet and Sour Chicken

• Double-dip the chicken for extra crispiness.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying—this keeps the oil hot and ensures golden crusts.
• Use rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar for a more authentic, tangy depth.
• Add a splash of pineapple juice for a Hawaiian twist.

What to Serve With Sweet and Sour Chicken

• Steamed Jasmine rice or fried rice
• Stir-fried vegetables
• Chow mein or lo mein noodles
• Egg rolls or spring rolls
• Cold Asian slaw with sesame dressing

Storage and Reheating

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer: You can freeze the sauce separately, but freshly fried chicken may lose its crispiness. If freezing, reheat in the oven for the best texture.

Reheat: Use the oven or air fryer to regain a crisp texture; for convenience, use the microwave.

Final Thoughts

Homemade sweet and sour chicken is surprisingly simple and incredibly rewarding. Once you try this crispy, tangy version at home, you might skip takeout for good! Whether you go for the traditional fried method or a healthier baked version, this dish brings the flavor.

Let me know in the comments—do you like it with pineapple or without?