This sweet and sour chicken recipe features tender chicken pieces coated in a tangy sauce, combined with colorful bell peppers and pineapple. It’s a popular dish that balances flavors and textures, making it a favorite for family dinners.
The recipe is simple and can be prepared in under an hour, perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete dish.
Quick and Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken
This dish consists of crispy chicken pieces stir-fried with vibrant vegetables and coated in a homemade sweet and sour sauce. The recipe serves about 4 people and takes approximately 40 minutes to prepare and cook.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (red or green)
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup vinegar (white or apple cider)
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooked rice or noodles for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then coat them in cornstarch until evenly covered.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until they are tender.
- Make the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together sugar, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, and garlic powder. Pour the sauce into the skillet with the vegetables.
- Combine: Add the cooked chicken and pineapple chunks to the skillet. Stir well to coat everything in the sauce and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Serve: Serve the sweet and sour chicken over cooked rice or noodles.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 4 servings
- Calories: 300kcal
- Fat: 8g
- Protein: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
This recipe is part of my 35 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes. Just click that link to see all the amazing options!
Jeff was a leader for Whole Foods Market for over 2 decades and is now a recovering foodie. When he's not spending time in the kitchen, he can usually be found with 3 daughters, practicing martial arts, making music, or blogging on his other sites. Click Here to learn more about me. Click Here to learn more about my site. Editorial Policies.
Latest posts by Jeff Campbell (see all)
- Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread Recipe (plus optional bacon) - November 20, 2025
- 53 Super Bowl Party Food Ideas and Recipes for Game Day - November 20, 2025
- Crispy Popcorn Shrimp Recipe - November 20, 2025