Sweet and Sour Chicken with Pineapple
This sweet and sour chicken with pineapple is a deliciously balanced dish featuring tender chicken, vibrant veggies, and juicy pineapple in a tangy-sweet sauce. It’s quick to prepare, takes only 35 minutes, and serves 4. Perfect for a family dinner or entertaining guests!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- ¼ cup soy sauce use low sodium if preferred
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp pineapple juice from canned pineapple or fresh
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water
For the Stir-Fry:
- 1 cup pineapple chunks fresh or canned
- 1 medium red bell pepper diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper diced
- ½ medium onion sliced (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
- Toss the chicken pieces in a mixture of cornstarch, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
Make the Sauce:
- In a bowl, whisk together ketchup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and pineapple juice.
- Heat the mixture in a saucepan over medium heat. Once simmering, add the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes.
Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
- In the same skillet, sauté bell peppers, onion (if using), and pineapple chunks until slightly softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Combine Everything:
- Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet with the vegetables.
- Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the mixture, stirring to coat everything evenly.
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve over steamed rice or noodles, garnished with sesame seeds or chopped green onions if desired.