Zesty Pineapple Sweet and Sour Chicken

Name: Zesty Pineapple Sweet and Sour Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 cup pineapple juice; 0.5 cup brown sugar; 0.5 cup apple cider vinegar; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 red bell pepper, sliced; 1 green bell pepper, sliced; 1 cup pineapple chunks; 0.25 cup cornstarch; 0.25 cup all-purpose flour; 2 eggs, beaten; Salt and pepper to taste; 3 tbsp vegetable oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp grated ginger; 2 green onions, chopped; 1 tbsp sesame seeds

🕒 Prep: 15 min

🔥 Cook: 20 min

🍽 Serves: 4

★★★★★

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If you’re craving a delightful mix of sweet and tangy flavors, this Zesty Pineapple Sweet and Sour Chicken is your ticket to culinary bliss. It’s a vibrant dish that combines tender chicken pieces with a symphony of colorful vegetables and a luscious pineapple-infused sauce.

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Ingredients for Zesty Pineapple Sweet and Sour Chicken

The star of this dish is the chicken breast. It’s lean and cooks quickly, making it perfect for this recipe. The secret to the sauce is pineapple juice, which adds natural sweetness and a hint of tropical flair. Brown sugar deepens the sweet notes, while apple cider vinegar provides the essential tang that makes sweet and sour so irresistible. Soy sauce adds umami and saltiness, balancing the flavors beautifully.

For the vegetables, red and green bell peppers add color and a slight crunch, while pineapple chunks contribute bursts of juicy sweetness. Cornstarch and all-purpose flour create a light coating on the chicken, ensuring each piece is crispy and golden. Eggs help the coating adhere to the chicken. Garlic and ginger bring aromatic depth, while a garnish of green onions and sesame seeds adds a fresh, nutty finish.

Tips & Tricks

For a thicker sauce, dissolve a bit more cornstarch in cold water and add it to the simmering sauce.
Prep all your ingredients before you start cooking to keep the process smooth and stress-free.
If you like more heat, toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic and ginger.

Serving Suggestions

This dish is perfect served over a bed of fluffy white rice or nutty brown rice. For a low-carb option, try it with cauliflower rice. A side of steamed broccoli or snap peas can add extra greens and balance the flavors nicely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use canned pineapple?: Absolutely! Just make sure to use the juice from the can for the sauce.
What if I don’t have apple cider vinegar?: You can substitute it with rice vinegar for a similar tangy kick.

Zesty Pineapple Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe Walkthrough

Start by prepping your chicken. In a bowl, mix cornstarch, flour, a pinch of salt, and some pepper. Beat eggs in a separate bowl. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg, then dredge it through the cornstarch mixture until well-coated. This step ensures that your chicken will have that perfect crispy exterior.

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the coated chicken pieces. You’re aiming for a golden color, which should take about 6-8 minutes. Once cooked through, remove the chicken and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

In the same skillet, toss in minced garlic and grated ginger. Sauté these fragrant ingredients for about a minute, just until they release their aroma. Add the bell peppers and pineapple chunks, stirring for another 3 minutes until the peppers start to soften.

Pour in the pineapple juice, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and soy sauce. Mix everything well and bring to a simmer. The sauce will start to thicken slightly. Return the chicken to the skillet, tossing it in the sauce to ensure each piece is well-coated. Allow everything to simmer together for about 5 more minutes to meld the flavors.

Finally, sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds over the top before serving to add that extra layer of flavor and color.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors.
Quick enough for a weeknight dinner but special enough for company.
Uses simple ingredients you probably already have at home.
Easy to customize with your favorite vegetables.

Ingredients

1.5 lbs chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 cup pineapple juice

0.5 cup brown sugar

0.5 cup apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 red bell pepper, sliced

1 green bell pepper, sliced

1 cup pineapple chunks

0.25 cup cornstarch

0.25 cup all-purpose flour

2 eggs, beaten

Salt and pepper to taste

3 tbsp vegetable oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp grated ginger

2 green onions, chopped

1 tbsp sesame seeds

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper. Dip chicken pieces into beaten eggs, then coat with the cornstarch mixture.

2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken until golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove and set aside.

3. In the same skillet, add garlic and ginger, sauté for 1 minute. Add bell peppers and pineapple chunks, sauté for another 3 minutes.

4. Pour in pineapple juice, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and soy sauce. Stir well and bring to a simmer.

5. Return the chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.

6. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

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