Sweet & Sour Chicken

Sweet and sour chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish known for its tangy and flavorful sauce. It typically consists of battered and fried chicken pieces tossed in a sweet and sour sauce made with a combination of vinegar, sugar, and various condiments.

Ingredients:

For the chicken:

• 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 2 eggs, beaten
• Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil)

For the sauce:

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 cup water

For the stir-fry:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, cut into chunks
• Optional: pineapple chunks, carrot slices, or any other desired vegetables

Instructions:

1. Prepare the chicken:
   • Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
   • Place the cornstarch in a shallow dish and the beaten eggs in another.
   • Dip each chicken piece into the cornstarch, ensuring it is coated evenly. Shake off any excess cornstarch.
   • Dip the coated chicken into the beaten eggs, making sure it's fully coated.
   • Set aside the coated chicken while you heat the oil for frying.
2. Fry the chicken:
   • In a large skillet or wok, heat enough oil to deep-fry the chicken. The oil should be around 350°F (175°C).
   • Carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the hot oil, a few at a time, and fry them until they turn golden brown and crispy. This usually takes about 4-5 minutes.
   • Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer the fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Repeat until all chicken pieces are fried.
3. Prepare the sauce:
   • In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, cornstarch, and water until the sugar and cornstarch are fully dissolved.
   • Set the sauce aside.
4. Stir-fry the vegetables:
   • In the same skillet or wok used for frying the chicken (remove excess oil if needed), heat one tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
   • Add the sliced onions and bell pepper (and any other desired vegetables) to the pan. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until they start to soften but still have a slight crunch.
   • If using pineapple chunks, you can add them now and cook for another minute.
5. Combine the chicken, sauce, and vegetables:
   • Return the fried chicken pieces to the skillet with the stir-fried vegetables.
   • Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the chicken and vegetables.
   • Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and vegetables. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
6. Serve:
   • Sweet and sour chicken can be served over steamed rice or noodles.
   • Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
   • Enjoy your homemade sweet and sour chicken!

Feel free to adjust the sweetness or tanginess of the sauce by adding more or less sugar or vinegar according to your taste preferences. You can also customize the stir-fried vegetables based on your liking.