🍗🍍 Sweet and Sour Chicken with Fried Rice

A takeout favorite made at home! Crispy chicken is coated in a tangy, sweet-and-savory sauce with colorful vegetables and juicy pineapple, served alongside flavorful fried rice.

⏱️ Time

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Servings: 4

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🛒 Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 1½ pounds (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup cornstarch
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Sweet and Sour Sauce

• ½ cup ketchup
• ⅓ cup rice vinegar
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ¼ cup water
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Vegetables

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 small onion, cut into chunks
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)

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🍚 Fried Rice Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked and chilled jasmine rice (day-old works best)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken

• Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Dip each piece into the beaten eggs.
• Coat thoroughly in the mixture of cornstarch and flour.

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2. Fry the Chicken

• Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
• Fry the chicken in batches for 4–5 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
• Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

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3. Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce

• In a bowl, whisk together the ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, cornstarch, water, ginger, and garlic.
• Set aside.

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4. Cook the Vegetables

• Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
• Stir-fry the bell peppers and onion for 3–4 minutes, keeping them slightly crisp.
• Add the pineapple chunks.

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5. Finish the Chicken

• Pour the sauce into the skillet with the vegetables.
• Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring until the sauce thickens.
• Add the fried chicken and toss until evenly coated.

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6. Make the Fried Rice

• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok.
• Scramble the eggs, then push them to one side.
• Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
• Stir in the peas and carrots and cook for 2 minutes.
• Add the cold rice, breaking up any clumps.
• Stir in the soy sauce, sesame oil, black pepper, and green onions.
• Cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until everything is heated through.

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7. Serve

• Spoon the fried rice onto plates.
• Top or serve alongside the sweet and sour chicken.
• Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

• Egg rolls
• Crab rangoons
• Steamed broccoli
• Asian cucumber salad
• Hot and sour soup
• Fortune cookies for dessert

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💡 Tips

• Use cold, day-old rice for fried rice—it stays fluffy and doesn’t become mushy.
• Fry the chicken in small batches to keep the oil hot and ensure a crisp coating.
• For extra heat, stir a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes into the sauce.
• You can air fry the coated chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes, turning halfway, for a lighter version.

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🧊 Storage

• Refrigerator: Store chicken and fried rice separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze the chicken (without the vegetables if possible) for up to 2 months.
• Reheating: Warm the chicken in a skillet or oven to help maintain crispness, and reheat the fried rice in a skillet with a splash of water or soy sauce.

🍴 Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: 760
• Protein: 38 g
• Carbohydrates: 74 g
• Fat: 34 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 1,050 mg

This Sweet and Sour Chicken with Fried Rice delivers crispy chicken, vibrant vegetables, juicy pineapple, and perfectly seasoned fried rice for a delicious homemade meal that’s every bit as satisfying as your favorite takeout.