Description
Culinary magic happens when sweet and sour chicken dances on your plate, bringing together crispy textures and bold flavors from Chinese-American cuisine. Perfectly balanced sauce and golden-brown chicken pieces promise a delightful meal that will make you crave seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein Ingredients:
- 1 lb (500 g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Coating and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ cup (65 g) cornstarch
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Sweet and Sour Sauce Ingredients:
- ½ cup (120 ml) white vinegar
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) ketchup
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Preheat the culinary workspace by warming the oven to a robust 200C (400F), creating a perfectly calibrated environment for transforming raw ingredients into a delectable meal. Prepare the baking vessel with a light coating of oil or protective parchment paper to prevent unwanted sticking.
- Craft the chicken coating by establishing two distinct preparation zones: one with fine cornstarch and another with whisked eggs. Meticulously season the chicken pieces with a delicate balance of salt and pepper, then methodically enrobe each morsel first in cornstarch, followed by a thorough egg bath, ensuring complete coverage.
- Ignite a large skillet with vegetable oil, bringing it to a sizzling medium-high temperature. Execute a strategic searing technique, browning the chicken pieces in carefully managed batches until they develop a golden, crisp exterior. Transfer the partially cooked morsels to the awaiting baking dish with precision.
- Choreograph the sweet and sour sauce by combining vinegar, ketchup, sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder in a saucepan. Orchestrate the ingredients over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Introduce a cornstarch slurry to transform the liquid into a luxurious, glossy sauce that clings magnificently to the chicken.
- Cascade the vibrant sauce over the prepared chicken, ensuring each piece becomes thoroughly coated. Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven, allowing the chicken to bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes. Midway through the cooking process, gently redistribute the pieces to guarantee uniform flavor absorption and consistent cooking.
- Present the finished dish atop a bed of steamed rice, adorning it with a sprinkle of freshly chopped green onions or a delicate shower of sesame seeds to elevate the visual and flavor profile of this culinary creation.
Notes
- Swap cornstarch with arrowroot powder for a gluten-free version that provides the same crispy coating and thickening power.
- Use coconut sugar or honey instead of white sugar to create a more complex, less processed sweetness that enhances the dish’s natural flavors.
- Consider marinating chicken pieces in a mixture of soy sauce and ginger for 30 minutes before coating to infuse deeper umami and aromatic notes.
- For a lighter version, air fry the chicken pieces instead of pan-searing, which reduces oil usage while maintaining a crispy exterior.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg