Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken is a wonderfully flavorful dish that perfectly balances the tanginess of vinegar with the sweetness of sugar, all while letting the savory notes of chicken shine through.
This dish is baked to perfection, allowing the chicken to soak up all the delicious sauce without becoming greasy or heavy. It’s a dish that feels indulgent but is surprisingly light. If you’re a fan of that classic takeout flavor but want something a bit healthier, this recipe is a must-try. The baked method gives you all the crispiness of frying without the extra oil, and the sweet and sour sauce is simply irresistible. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken will hit the spot every time.
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Baking dish
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula or tongs
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Directions
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Coat each piece with cornstarch, then dip it into the beaten eggs.
- Brown the Chicken:
- In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken on all sides, but don’t cook it through. This will take about 3-4 minutes per side. Once browned, place the chicken in a single layer in a baking dish.
- Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic powder until well combined.
- Bake the Chicken:
- Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the chicken in the baking dish. Toss the chicken to ensure it’s fully coated in the sauce. Bake the chicken for 50-60 minutes, stirring occasionally to coat the chicken in the sauce as it bakes.
- Serve:
- Once the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened, remove it from the oven and serve it hot over rice or with your favorite vegetables.
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
1 hour (including baking)
Total Time:
1 hour 15 minutes
Nutrition (per serving):
- Calories: 450
- Total Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
- Sodium: 450mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 53g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 39g
- Protein: 26g
Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken is a delightful combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors that come together to create a dish that’s both satisfying and delicious. The oven-baked method ensures the chicken stays tender and juicy while allowing the sauce to caramelize perfectly. Serve this dish with steamed rice or your favorite vegetables for a complete meal that’s sure to please everyone at the table.
Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Baking dish
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula or tongs
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Coat each piece with cornstarch, then dip it into the beaten eggs.
- Brown the Chicken:
- In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken on all sides, but don’t cook it through. This will take about 3-4 minutes per side. Once browned, place the chicken in a single layer in a baking dish.
- Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic powder until well combined.
- Bake the Chicken:
- Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the chicken in the baking dish. Toss the chicken to ensure it’s fully coated in the sauce. Bake the chicken for 50-60 minutes, stirring occasionally to coat the chicken in the sauce as it bakes.
- Serve:
- Once the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened, remove it from the oven and serve it hot over rice or with your favorite vegetables.
- Prep Time:
- 15 minutes
- Cook Time:
- 1 hour (including baking)
- Total Time:
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- Nutrition (per serving):
- Calories: 450
- Total Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
- Sodium: 450mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 53g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 39g
- Protein: 26g
- Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken is a delightful combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors that come together to create a dish that’s both satisfying and delicious. The oven-baked method ensures the chicken stays tender and juicy while allowing the sauce to caramelize perfectly. Serve this dish with steamed rice or your favorite vegetables for a complete meal that’s sure to please everyone at the table.
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