This Sweet and Sour Chicken is a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savoury flavours. Tender chicken pieces are lightly coated and fried until golden, then simmered in a vibrant sauce with peppers, onions, and juicy pineapple. It’s quick enough for weeknights but delicious enough for a weekend treat.
500 g (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breast
6 tablespoons (⅓ cup) cornstarch
50 ml (¼ cup) vegetable oil, for frying
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
6 tablespoons (⅓ cup) ketchup
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
6 tablespoons (⅓ cup) demerara or brown sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, grated
432 g (15 ¼ oz) canned pineapple pieces, drained (juice reserved)
Place cornstarch in a medium bowl and season generously with salt and pepper.
Toss the diced chicken in the cornstarch until evenly coated.
Heat the vegetable oil in a high-sided skillet over medium-high heat.
Fry the chicken on all sides until golden brown.
The chicken does not need to be fully cooked yet.
Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate.
Add sliced onion to the skillet, scraping up the browned bits.
Add the bell peppers and cook until they start to soften.
In a bowl or jug, whisk together ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.
Pour the sauce into the skillet and bring to a gentle simmer.
Stir in the pineapple pieces.
Add reserved pineapple juice as needed to thin the sauce.
Return the partially cooked chicken to the skillet.
Simmer for 5–6 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens to your liking.
Customize the sweetness: Add more pineapple juice or a splash of orange juice for extra sweetness.
Make it spicier: Add a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
Protein swap: This recipe works great with diced pork or tofu.
Crispier chicken: For a crispier coating, double-coat the chicken in cornstarch before frying.