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Adding fruit to dishes, can add so much flavor. The secret to Sweet & Sour Chicken is the pineapple.
Jump to RecipeThis recipe has so many complimenting flavors going on in it that blend so well into one cohesive profile. Chinese recipes really are easy to create. The protein is either marinated in a sauce or dredged for pan frying. A sauce is created with corn starch to mix in in the final phase of cooking. If there are vegetables, those are pan fried first. That’s it.
A few examples that I have created and highlight the above process are below. These recipes also highlight the versatility of proteins used.
One of the best things about making Asian dishes is that less pots and pans are used than many of my other recipes. The wok makes this dish a one pot meal. Yes the rice is cooked in a rice cooker but that is so easy to clean.
The cast of characters.
Developing the sweet & sour chicken.
The Sweet & Sour Chicken plated.
Sweet & Sour Chicken
I love how easy Chinese recipes come together and so will you. This Sweet & Sour Chicken can be made in less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Lbs Chicken thighs cut in small pieces
- 1/2 Cup Corn starch
- 2 Whole Eggs beaten
- 1/4 Cup GF flour
- 1/4 Cup Canola oil
- 1 Whole Red Pepper cut in chunks
- 1 Whole Green pepper cut in chunks
- 1 Whole medium yellow onion rough dice
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 1/4 Cup Brown sugar
- 1/2 Cup Apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 Cup Ketchup
- 4 Tsp gf soy sauce
- 2 Cloves Garlic minced
- 1/4 Whole Pineapple diced (or use one can)
Instructions
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Begin by making the sauce. Whisk together the sugar, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce and garlic in a bell jar. Set aside.
Pour enough canola oil into a the wok and heat to approximately 350 degrees.
Meanwhile, set up a dredging station. First, add the cornstarch to a large bowl and dredge the chicken pieces thoroughly. Next, run the chicken pieces through the beaten eggs, and finish by running through the gluten free flour. Add to the oil and cook for approximately 2 – 3 minutes. Add to a strainer over a pot. Cook the remaining chicken pieces. Repeat with all the chicken to get it super crispy. Set aside.
Pour out all but 2 tbsp of the oil. Add the bell peppers and onions and cook for 2 – 3 minutes. Next, add the pineapple and cook for 1 – 2 more minutes. You want the veggies just softened and maintaining some crispness.
Now the sauce is added and cooked for approximately 2 minutes. It is cooked until thickened and all the chicken and veggies are coated.
Serve with white rice. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Recipe adapted from Dinner Then Dessert – httpss://dinnerthendessert.com/sweet-sour-chicken/
“The secret to this recipe is the pineapple..” Will you please reveal the secret and tell me how much pineapple is needed for this recipe? I don’t see it listed in the ingredients. Thanks!
So sorry about that. I updated the recipe. I used about 1/4 of a fresh pineapple. Alternatively, you could use 1 can of pineapples. I hope you enjoy!