Sweet and Sour Chicken (30 Minutes)

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This sweet-and-sour-chicken recipe is great for when you’re craving takeout but want something you can make at home. Made with simple, fresh ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store, this dish is bursting with flavor. You can easily swap in your favorite veggies or this also makes a great end-of-week meal when you need to clean out the fridge.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 large carrot, sliced
  • 1 zucchini, sliced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • Cooked rice, for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the bell peppers, carrots, zucchini, and onion to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the pineapple chunks (with juice), rice vinegar, honey, and soy sauce.
  4. Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables and bring to a boil.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water. Pour the mixture into the skillet and stir well to combine. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
  6. Serve the sweet and sour chicken over cooked rice.

Notes

This dish is a great way to switch up your daily dinner routine and a flavorful alternative to standard chicken recipes. While I typically serve with steamed white or brown rice, sometimes I’ll throw this dish over rice noodles which my kids particularly love. It’s seriously just as good as ordering takeout (or dare I say better!).

*The following nutritional information is based on estimates.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 385 calories
  • Sugar: 35g
  • Sodium: 1145mg
  • Carbohydrates: 47g
  • Protein: 23g

Pair this with...

Miso Ginger Salad

Start by preparing a mix of your favorite salad greens; think romaine, iceberg lettuce, or baby greens. Toss in sliced radishes, shredded carrots, and sliced cucumbers for that refreshing crunch. For the dressing, whisk together white miso paste, freshly grated ginger, a dash of soy sauce, a bit of rice vinegar, and some sesame oil. If you like a touch of sweetness, a drizzle of honey or agave nectar will do the trick. Blend until smooth, adjusting the consistency with a little water if needed. Drizzle this punchy dressing over your greens and give it a good toss. Garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds if desired.

Sea Salt Edamame

Begin with fresh or frozen edamame pods. If frozen, give them a quick rinse under cold water. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, toss in the edamame, and let them cook for a few minutes until they're tender and bright green. Drain the water and transfer the edamame to a serving bowl. While they're still hot and a tad steamy, sprinkle a generous pinch of coarse sea salt over them. The crystals will cling to the pods, giving them a delightful salty crunch. Serve immediately and enjoy the process of squeezing those succulent soybeans straight from the pods into your mouth.

Green Tea

Brewing the perfect cup begins with quality tea leaves, whether they're in a bag or loose. Start by boiling water, then let it cool slightly – you're aiming for just under boiling point, as water that's too hot can make the tea taste bitter. Add your tea to a teapot or directly to your cup, then pour the hot water over the leaves. Steep for about 1-3 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea. Remember, the longer you steep, the stronger and potentially more bitter the tea becomes. Once it's to your liking, remove the tea leaves or bag. You can enjoy green tea plain, or with a small dash of honey or lemon if desired.

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Hi, I'm Alaina! As a busy mom of two, I'm tired of always wondering "what's for dinner?" That's why I created this website; to share easy and tasty recipe ideas the whole family will love. If you're not subscribed yet, join 47,098 others here - thanks for stopping by!