Description
This Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe delivers a perfect balance of crispy, tender chicken coated in a light, flavorful batter and smothered in a tangy, homemade sweet and sour sauce. Ideal for a quick weeknight dinner, it combines savory and sweet elements that will satisfy your cravings with every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Batter
- ¾ cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅔ cup ice-cold water
- 1 large egg
Other
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil recommended)
- 1 recipe sweet and sour sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine the bite-sized chicken pieces with onion powder, garlic powder, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, black pepper, and soy sauce. Toss well to coat evenly and set aside for 10 minutes to marinate slightly.
- Make the batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together ¾ cup cornstarch, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and kosher salt. Add the ice-cold water and egg, mixing until you achieve a smooth, thick batter with no lumps.
- Coat the chicken: Heat oil in a deep pan or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). Dip each piece of marinated chicken into the batter, ensuring each piece is completely coated.
- Fry the chicken: Carefully place battered chicken pieces into the hot oil. Fry in batches for about 4-5 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through, turning as needed to ensure even crispiness. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Combine with sauce: Warm the sweet and sour sauce separately. Once the chicken is fried and crispy, toss the pieces in the sauce until well coated, ensuring a balance between crispy texture and flavorful sauce.
- Serve: Serve immediately with steamed rice or your favorite sides for a delightful meal.
Notes
- Make sure the water for the batter is ice-cold to create a light and crispy coating.
- Do not overcrowd the fryer or pan to maintain oil temperature and crispiness.
- You can prepare the sweet and sour sauce ahead of time to save on cooking time.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend.
- Use a thermometer to keep oil temperature consistent during frying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
