Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Canola oil for frying
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 yellow onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 4 teaspoons reduced sodium soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
To prepare the sauce, combine the sugar, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, and minced garlic in a small bowl. Whisk thoroughly until well blended.
Pour enough canola oil into a dutch oven or large frying pan to reach a depth of about an inch to an inch and a half. Heat the oil over medium-high to high heat until it’s hot enough to cook the chicken quickly, approximately 2-3 minutes.
Place the cornstarch into a large ziplock bag. Add the chicken chunks, seal the bag, and shake vigorously until the chicken is well coated with cornstarch.
Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten eggs, then coat with flour. Carefully place the chicken pieces into the hot oil in batches, ensuring they form a single layer and do not overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and crispy. Transfer the cooked chicken to a cookie sheet (avoid using paper towels) and repeat with the remaining batches.
Once all the chicken is cooked, drain off excess oil from the pan, leaving about a tablespoon behind. Add the red bell pepper, green bell pepper, yellow onion, and pineapple chunks to the pan. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
Return the prepared sauce to the pan, stirring to coat the vegetables and pineapple evenly. Cook for about 30 seconds to let the garlic infuse the sauce with flavor. Reintroduce the chicken pieces to the pan, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and starts to bubble.
Serve the sweet and sour chicken immediately. Optionally, garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions for an added touch of flavor and presentation.
