Sweet and Sour Chicken: An Easy 15-Minute Recipe Better Than Takeout!
This quick and delicious Sweet and Sour Chicken is a homemade version of the classic Chinese takeout dish—ready in just 15 minutes! Crispy chicken pieces coated in a tangy, sweet, and slightly sticky sauce make this a family favorite. Serve it over rice for a complete meal!
- Total Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce:
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp light brown sugar (packed)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced or pressed)
- 2 tbsp cold water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
For the Sauce:
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp light brown sugar (packed)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced or pressed)
- 2 tbsp cold water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
For the Chicken:
- 1.25 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
- 3–4 tbsp olive oil (for frying)
- Green onions & sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Notes
1️⃣ Make the Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, and garlic.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
- In a small bowl, mix water + cornstarch, then pour into the sauce.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring until thickened.
2️⃣ Cook the Chicken:
- Toss chicken pieces in cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a ziplock bag.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook chicken for 5–7 minutes, flipping until golden and cooked through.
- Reduce heat, pour in the sauce, and stir to coat evenly.
3️⃣ Serve & Garnish:
- Top with sliced green onions & sesame seeds (optional).
- Best served immediately over steamed rice!
Nutrition
- Calories: 514 kcal per serving
- Sugar: 44g
- Sodium: 594mg
- Fat: 19g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Protein: 32g