Crackly-Good Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe for Dinner Joy

Weeknight dinners come alive with this irresistible sweet and sour chicken that brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your kitchen.

Every bite of this crispy sweet and sour chicken promises a perfect balance of tangy and sweet notes that dance across your palate.

Golden-brown chicken pieces coated in a glossy, vibrant sauce make this dish a true crowd-pleaser.

The recipe combines simple ingredients with an easy cooking technique that guarantees delicious results every single time.

Fresh vegetables add color and crunch to complement the succulent chicken pieces.

Each serving delivers a mouthwatering blend of textures that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for those nights when only a spectacular meal will do.

Presentation Tips For Baked Sweet And Sour Chicken

• Flavor Fusion Feast: Pair this sweet and sour chicken with fluffy steamed jasmine rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Asian-Inspired Side Kick: Serve alongside quick stir-fried vegetables like crisp broccoli, bell peppers, and snap peas for a balanced meal bursting with color and nutrition.
• Texture Boost Technique: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions over the dish to add a delightful crunch and fresh herbal note that elevates the entire meal's taste profile.
• Gourmet Garnish Option: Drizzle extra sauce around the plate and top with crushed peanuts or cashews for an unexpected layer of nutty richness that complements the sweet and tangy chicken perfectly.

Storage Strategies For Baked Sweet And Sour Chicken Leftovers

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Fridge Fresh Keeping: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Refrigerated meals stay delicious for 3-4 days when sealed tightly.
• Freezer Batch Preparation: Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Frozen sweet and sour chicken maintains excellent quality for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
• Reheating Smart Techniques: Warm refrigerated chicken in the oven at 175C (350F) for 10-15 minutes to maintain crispy texture. Microwave works in a pinch, but might soften the coating slightly. Add a tablespoon of water to prevent drying out.
• Advance Meal Strategy: Prepare chicken coating and sauce one day ahead. Store separately in the refrigerator to streamline dinner preparation. Keep cornstarch-coated chicken pieces on a separate tray, covered with plastic wrap, to maintain crispiness before cooking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 435 kcal

Servings: 4

What Goes Into Baked Sweet And Sour Chicken

• Chicken Pieces: Tender protein that forms the heart of the dish, selecting fresh, boneless cuts ensures even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
• Cornstarch: Creates a crispy exterior coating that locks in chicken's moisture and provides a delightful crunch.
• Eggs: Helps cornstarch adhere to chicken, forming a golden, protective layer during cooking.

• White Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness and helps balance the sweet elements in the sauce.
• Ketchup: Provides rich, deep tomato undertones and natural sweetness to the sauce.
• Sugar: Balances the acidic notes and creates a glossy, caramelized finish.
• Soy Sauce: Introduces umami depth and enhances overall savory complexity.
• Garlic Powder: Delivers subtle, aromatic warmth without overwhelming other flavors.

• Vegetable Oil: Enables perfect golden searing of chicken pieces before baking.
• Water: Used to create cornstarch slurry for sauce thickening.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds vibrant color and sharp, crisp flavor.
• Sesame Seeds: Provides nutty crunch and visual appeal to the final dish.

Must Have Tools For Baked Sweet And Sour Chicken

• Large Baking Dish: Essential for baking the chicken, preferably lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
• Skillet: Perfect for searing chicken to achieve a golden-brown exterior.
• Saucepan: Needed to prepare the delicious sweet and sour sauce.
• Shallow Bowls: Two are required – one for cornstarch, another for beaten eggs.
• Whisk: Great for beating eggs and mixing sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Cutting Board and Knife: Used for preparing garnishes like green onions.
• Tongs: Helpful for turning and transferring chicken pieces during cooking.

How To Bake Baked Sweet And Sour Chicken The Right Way

• Warm Up The Oven

Get your oven toasty at 200C (400F). Gently coat a baking dish with cooking spray or parchment paper.

• Dress The Chicken

Sprinkle salt and pepper on chicken pieces. Create a crispy coating by rolling each piece in cornstarch, then giving it a quick egg bath.

• Golden Brown Magic

In a sizzling skillet, quickly fry chicken chunks until they turn a beautiful golden color. You’re not cooking them completely, just creating a gorgeous outer layer.

• Whip Up The Sauce

Mix vinegar, ketchup, sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder in a pan. Bring to a gentle bubble and stir until sugar melts. Add a quick cornstarch mixture to thicken the sauce.

• Bake To Perfection

Pour the tangy sauce over the chicken, making sure every piece gets cozy. Slide into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, giving everything a quick toss halfway through.

• Plate And Enjoy

Serve your masterpiece over fluffy rice. Sprinkle some green onions or sesame seeds on top for an extra flavor punch.

Ideas For Enhancing Baked Sweet And Sour Chicken Flavor

• Smart Meal Prep Tricks: Chicken can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking, making weeknight dinners super easy.
• Crispy Coating Secret: Pat chicken pieces completely dry before cornstarch dredging to achieve the perfect golden-brown exterior.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Swap rice with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a keto-friendly version of this classic dish.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use tamari instead of regular soy sauce and confirm cornstarch is certified gluten-free to make this recipe safe for gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Spice Level Options: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce for those who enjoy extra heat, or keep it mild for kids and sensitive palates.

Crispy Sweet And Sour Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Baked sweet and sour chicken brings classic Chinese-American flavors to home kitchens with crispy, tender meat. Tangy sauce and golden-brown chicken pieces create a restaurant-quality meal you can enjoy without complicated preparation techniques.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (500 g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized cubes
• ½ cup (65 g) cornstarch
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 tbsps vegetable oil
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• ½ cup (120 ml) white vinegar
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) ketchup
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp water

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 200C (400F) and line a baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Chicken Coating: Dredge chicken pieces in cornstarch, then dip into whisked eggs, creating a crisp protective layer.
3. Initial Searing: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and quickly brown chicken pieces until they develop a golden exterior, working in rotating batches.
4. Sauce Creation: Combine vinegar, ketchup, sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder in a saucepan, bringing to a gentle simmer while whisking continuously; thicken with cornstarch slurry until the mixture transforms into a glossy glaze.
5. Baking Process: Transfer seared chicken to prepared baking dish, generously coat with sweet and sour sauce, and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, pausing midway to redistribute sauce and ensure even cooking.
6. Serving Presentation: Plate the baked chicken over steamed rice, garnishing with chopped green onions or a delicate sprinkle of sesame seeds for an elevated culinary experience.

Notes

• Optimize Cornstarch Coating: Shake off excess cornstarch before egg dipping to prevent clumpy, uneven breading and ensure a crisp, light exterior.
• Control Oil Temperature: Maintain medium-high heat when searing chicken to achieve golden-brown color without burning, which preserves juiciness and prevents tough meat.
• Sauce Consistency Trick: Adjust cornstarch slurry gradually to reach perfect thickness – add slowly while whisking to prevent lumps and create a glossy, smooth sauce.
• Prevent Soggy Bottom: Space chicken pieces apart on baking dish to allow heat circulation, ensuring crispy texture and even sauce distribution during baking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 452
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 267 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 65 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 186 mg