Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe

I really wish I could have labeled this recipe “quick and easy sweet & sour chicken”, but unfortunately that just wouldn’t be very honest of me. In truth, whenever this is on the menu Ant is making the sauce, I’m frying the chicken, and the kids are usually watching a movie or pressed up against the baby gate screaming to get into the kitchen and “help” (or usually both). No, I’m not neglecting my children, I’m just making dinner. That’s what it’s like around here on almost a daily basis, and I’m sure some of you can relate.

That’s also one of the reasons why I love this recipe. If I’m going to spend an hour or more fixing dinner then by golly everyone in this house is going to eat it and love it. And they do! Reli has pretty much grown out of her picky pharse, but on the off chance that she’s in one of her “prissy moods” this meal easily transforms from sweet & sour to “Yea we’re having chicken nuggets!” (with or without the “dippy dip”). It’s like making an adult meal and a kid’s meal in one. And it’s delicious! Don’t you just love those kinds of recipes?

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Evolved from this recipe on Allrecipes.

serves 4

2 chicken breasts – cubed
1 bell pepper – cut into 1 inch strips
oil for frying

Tempura style batter:
2 1/4 cups flour
2 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 egg
1/2 cup water

Sweet & Sour sauce:
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup white vinegar
4 oz pineapple juice
2 tablespoons cup water
2 tablespoons cup cornstarch
food coloring (optional)

Begin heating the oil, steaming the peppers, and cooking rice if you are planning to serve any.

mix the batter:
Combine flour, oil, cornstarch, spices and egg in a large bowl.
Slowly add 1/2 cup water until a thick batter forms.
Think pancake batter consistency. You may have some water leftover.
Coat the chicken cubes in the batter mix and fry in the preheated oil in small batches until golden.

make the sauce:
In a bowl mix water with cornstarch and set aside.
Combine all other ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
Turn off heat and stir in cornstarch mix and food coloring, stirring slowly until thickened.

Serve however best suits the needs of your brood!