First Step: Prepare the Sauce In a small saucepan, whisk together 1/4 cup fresh pineapple juice, 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 tablespoons water, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons ketchup, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly, whisking frequently to avoid lumps. Once thickened, cover and remove from heat; this step ensures a flavorful base for your sweet and sour chicken.

Second Step: Coat the Chicken Place 1¼ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces, and 1/3 cup cornstarch in a large bag. Shake until the chicken is evenly coated, which helps create that crispy texture when cooked. For a variation, if you’re exploring other recipes on our site, check out our easy chicken stir-fry guide for more coating tips.

Third Step: Cook the Chicken Heat 2-3 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring to brown all sides until fully cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside; this keeps it tender and ready for the sauce in your sweet and sour chicken recipe.

Fourth Step: Cook the Vegetables Add 1 tablespoon oil to the same skillet and cook 1 medium diced large onion for 1-2 minutes until it softens. Then add 1 green bell pepper and 1 red bell pepper, both seeded and diced large, and cook for 2-3 minutes while stirring frequently to keep them crisp. This step adds freshness and color to your sweet and sour chicken without overcooking the veggies.

Fifth Step: Combine Everything Lower the heat to low, return the cooked chicken to the skillet, and cook for 1 minute to warm it up. Pour in the prepared sauce, add 1½ cups fresh pineapple chunks, 2 pinches red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste. Gently stir to combine and warm through for about 2 minutes, ensuring all flavors meld together in this sweet and sour chicken dish.

Final Step: Serve and Enjoy Serve immediately over cooked rice or Chinese noodles to keep everything hot and fresh. The total prep time is 10 minutes, cook time is 20 minutes, so you can have this sweet and sour chicken recipe ready in 30 minutes. For nutritional details, here’s a quick table to reference: