Irresistible Homemade Sweet and Sour Chicken: A Flavor Fiesta!

Recipe by Peter G

Published September 02, 2025

Craving the classic taste of Sweet and Sour Chicken but want to make it at home? This recipe delivers perfectly crispy chicken bathed in a glossy, tangy, and sweet sauce, packed with colorful bell peppers and juicy pineapple. It's a vibrant, satisfying dish that's far better than takeout and surprisingly simple to whip up!

Instructions

**Prepare the Chicken:** In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with the beaten egg, 1/4 cup of cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Toss until chicken is evenly coated.

**Make the Sauce:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the ketchup, rice vinegar, granulated sugar, soy sauce, 1/2 cup water (or pineapple juice), 1 tbsp cornstarch, grated ginger, and minced garlic until smooth. Set aside.

**Fry the Chicken:** Heat 2-3 cups of vegetable oil in a large wok or deep skillet over medium-high heat to about 350-375°F (175-190°C). Dredge each piece of coated chicken in the remaining 1/4 cup of cornstarch, shaking off excess. Fry chicken in batches for 3-5 minutes per batch, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack set over paper towels to drain excess oil.

**Sauté Vegetables:** Drain all but 1 tablespoon of oil from the wok/skillet. Add the red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until slightly tender-crisp. Add the pineapple chunks and cook for another minute.

**Combine and Simmer:** Give the sweet and sour sauce mixture another quick whisk, then pour it over the vegetables in the wok. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 2-3 minutes.

**Finish the Dish:** Add the fried chicken back into the wok with the thickened sauce and vegetables. Toss gently until all the chicken pieces are thoroughly coated.

**Serve:** Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, if desired. Serve immediately.

Final Notes

This homemade Sweet and Sour Chicken is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner or a weekend treat. Serve it hot over a bed of fluffy white rice or alongside some stir-fried noodles to complete the meal. Get ready to enjoy a symphony of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors!

About the Author

Peter G

Cooking is my passion. I love blogging and sharing my creative recipes with the world. With my busy lifestyle, it can be challenging to create new recipes, write posts, and ensure everything is formatted and presented well. I started MealMagX for this very reason—for those who share my passion for creative cooking but may not have the time to maintain a blog.

Irresistible Homemade Sweet and Sour Chicken: A Flavor Fiesta!

Ingredients

Instructions

Final Notes

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About the Author

Peter G