20 Chinese Takeaway Sweet And Sour Chicken Recipe You Won't Believe The Taste!
Published on: Mar 24, 2024
Sweet and sour chicken is a classic Chinese dish that never fails to satisfy cravings for something tangy, savory, and packed with flavor. The dish is a popular choice in Chinese takeout menus and has become a staple in many households. But instead of ordering it from a restaurant, why not try making it at home? Not only is it a more budget-friendly option, but you also get to control the ingredients and make it as healthy or indulgent as you want. In this article, we will share a delicious and easy-to-follow recipe for Chinese takeaway sweet and sour chicken that will impress your family and friends.
Looking for a delicious and easy way to prepare chicken? Look no further than Chinese sweet and sour chicken! This classic dish is a staple in Chinese cuisine and is loved by people all over the world. With its combination of tangy and sweet flavors, it's sure to be a hit at your next meal. Plus, it's easy to make and can be customized to your liking. So, put on your apron and get ready to make the best Chinese sweet and sour chicken you've ever tasted!
If you're following a Paleo or Whole30 diet, you'll be happy to know that Chinese sweet and sour chicken can be easily adapted to fit your dietary needs. Instead of using cornstarch for the sauce, you can use arrowroot powder or tapioca flour. And for a healthier version, you can bake the chicken instead of frying it. The end result is a delicious and guilt-free meal that everyone can enjoy.
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Sweet and Sour Chicken
Main Ingredients: Skinless Boneless Chicken Breast, Cornstarch, Large
Sweet and sour chicken is a classic Chinese dish that is loved by people of all ages. It consists of crispy chicken pieces coated in a sticky and tangy sauce, usually served with rice and vegetables. The key to making the perfect sweet and sour chicken is finding the right balance between sweetness and sourness. This can be achieved by using a combination of vinegar, sugar, and ketchup in the sauce.
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Crockpot Sweet and Sour Chicken
Main Ingredients: Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, Salt, Pepper
If you're short on time but still want to enjoy a delicious homemade meal, try making sweet and sour chicken in a crockpot. Simply add all the ingredients – chicken, sauce, and vegetables – into the crockpot and let it cook on low for 4-6 hours. The result is tender and flavorful chicken that falls apart in your mouth. You can serve it over rice or noodles for a complete meal.
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Chinese Sweet and Sour Chicken (Paleo, Whole30)
Main Ingredients: Chicken Breasts, Coarse Sea Salt, Coconut Aminos, White
For those who want an authentic Chinese experience, try making sweet and sour chicken the traditional way. This involves marinating the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch before frying it. The sauce is made from a combination of vinegar, sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, and chicken broth. The end result is a flavorful and crispy dish that will transport you straight to China.
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Sweet And Sour Chicken - Authentic Chinese Style
Main Ingredients: Chicken Breast Meat, Cornflour, Light Soy Sauce, Egg
If you're looking for a healthier alternative to fried sweet and sour chicken, try baking it in the oven instead. Simply coat the chicken in a mixture of cornstarch, salt, and pepper, and bake it until it's crispy. Then toss it in the homemade sweet and sour sauce and serve it with your favorite vegetables. This version of sweet and sour chicken is just as delicious as the fried version, but with fewer calories.
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Easy Oven Baked Chinese Sweet and Sour Chicken
Main Ingredients: Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, Cornstarch, Sugar
Another way to make sweet and sour chicken in the oven is to bake it with the sauce already on top. This method makes the chicken even more flavorful and saves you the hassle of tossing the chicken in the sauce afterwards. Simply mix together the sauce ingredients and pour it over the chicken before baking it. The result is tender and juicy chicken coated in a delicious sauce.
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Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken
Main Ingredients: Boneless Chicken Breasts, Salt, Pepper, Cornstarch
For those with dietary restrictions, making sweet and sour chicken can be a bit tricky. But fear not, you can still enjoy this delicious dish by making a few substitutions. Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, and arrowroot powder or tapioca flour instead of cornstarch. You can also use honey or maple syrup instead of sugar. The end result is a sweet and sour chicken that is gluten-free and Paleo-friendly.
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Sweet and Sour Chicken (Paleo, Gluten Free)
Main Ingredients: Chicken Stock, Apple Cider Vinegar, Honey, Tomato
No Chinese meal is complete without a side of fried noodles. These crispy noodles are easy to make at home and are the perfect accompaniment to sweet and sour chicken. Simply fry the noodles until they're golden brown and crispy, then drain them on a paper towel to remove excess oil. Serve them alongside your sweet and sour chicken for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Homemade Chinese Fried Noodles
Main Ingredients: Noodles, Chinese Chives, Medium Carrot, Shredded
If you love the tangy and sweet flavors of sweet and sour chicken, you'll definitely enjoy Chinese orange chicken. This dish is similar to sweet and sour chicken, but with a citrus twist. The chicken is coated in a tangy orange sauce that is sure to make your taste buds dance. Serve it with rice and vegetables for a delicious and well-rounded meal.
If you're not a fan of chicken, you can still enjoy the delicious flavors of Chinese sweet and sour sauce by making sticky Chinese pork belly. This dish involves marinating pork belly in a mixture of soy sauce, honey, and Chinese five-spice powder before roasting it in the oven. The result is tender and flavorful pork belly that pairs perfectly with the tangy and sweet sauce.
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Sticky Chinese Pork Belly
Main Ingredients: Pork Belly, Chicken, Ginger, Garlic, Rice Wine, Caster
If you like a bit of heat in your food, try making Chinese spicy chicken. This dish is similar to sweet and sour chicken, but with the addition of spicy ingredients like chili paste, Szechuan peppercorns, and dried red chilies. The result is a mouth-watering combination of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors that will leave you wanting more.
For a twist on the traditional sweet and sour chicken, try using chicken thighs instead of chicken breast. Chicken thighs are juicier and more flavorful than chicken breast, making them the perfect choice for this dish. Simply marinate them in a mixture of soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch before frying and tossing them in the homemade sweet and sour sauce.
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Chinese Chicken Thighs
Main Ingredients: Chicken Thighs, Olive Oil, Minced Ginger, Minced
If you're in the mood for something warm and comforting, try making Chinese hot and sour soup. This soup is a popular dish in Chinese cuisine and is known for its spicy and tangy flavors. It's usually made with a combination of chicken broth, mushrooms, tofu, and vinegar. The end result is a hearty and flavorful soup that will warm you up from the inside out.
For a healthier option, try making Chinese chicken and broccoli. This dish is made with marinated chicken, broccoli, and a homemade sauce that is similar to the sweet and sour sauce. However, it's made without the added sugar, making it a healthier choice. Serve it over rice or noodles for a filling and nutritious meal.
If you're looking for a more traditional Chinese soup, try making Southern Chinese sour and hot soup. This soup is made with a spicy and tangy broth, pork, and various vegetables like bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms, and lily buds. It's a popular soup in Southern China and is perfect for those who love bold and spicy flavors.
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Southern Chinese Sour & Hot Soup
Main Ingredients: Dried Shiitake Mushrooms, Lily Flowers, Stock
If you're not a fan of chicken, you can still enjoy the delicious flavors of sweet and sour sauce by making sweet and sour pork. This dish is made with chunks of pork that are coated in a crispy batter and then tossed in the homemade sauce. You can also add vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and pineapple for a more well-rounded meal.
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Chinese Sweet and Sour Pork Chine
Main Ingredients: Pork, Black Fungus, Eggs, Sliced Green Onions, Ginger
For those following a keto diet, making Chinese hot and sour soup can be a bit challenging since it usually contains cornstarch and other high-carb ingredients. However, you can still enjoy this soup by making a few substitutions. Use konjac noodles instead of rice noodles and xanthan gum instead of cornstarch to thicken the soup. The result is a keto-friendly soup that is just as delicious as the traditional version.
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Keto-Friendly Chinese Hot And Sour Soup
Main Ingredients: Onion, Ginger, Chicken, Water, Dried Shiitake
If you're craving Chinese takeout but want to make it at home, try making easy lemon chicken. This dish is similar to sweet and sour chicken, but with the addition of lemon juice for a bright and tangy flavor. You can make it using an air fryer for a healthier option, or fry it in a pan for a more indulgent meal. Serve it with rice and vegetables for a complete and satisfying dish.
The Key to Perfect Sweet and Sour Chicken
The Marinade
The key to achieving that perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors in this dish lies in the marinade. This step is crucial as it allows the chicken to absorb all the flavors before being cooked. The marinade is a combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and cornstarch which not only adds flavor but also tenderizes the chicken. For a healthier option, you can use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and apple cider vinegar instead of rice vinegar.
The Sauce
The sauce is what gives this dish its signature tangy and sweet taste. To make the perfect sauce, you will need ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. If you prefer a less sweet sauce, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar or use a sugar substitute. For a spicier kick, you can also add sriracha or chili flakes.
The Chicken
When it comes to the chicken, it is important to use boneless and skinless chicken breast for the best texture and flavor. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and coat them in the marinade before cooking. You can use a stir-fry technique to cook the chicken quickly and evenly. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan to avoid steaming the chicken instead of stir-frying it.
How to Serve Sweet and Sour Chicken
With Rice
The most common way to serve sweet and sour chicken is over a bed of steamed white rice. The rice will soak up all the delicious sauce and complement the tangy flavors of the dish. For a healthier option, you can use brown rice or cauliflower rice.
With Vegetables
For a more well-rounded and nutritious meal, you can add a variety of stir-fried vegetables to the dish. Bell peppers, onions, and carrots are popular choices and add color and crunch to the dish. You can also add some pineapple chunks for a tropical twist.
With Noodles
For a change of pace, you can serve sweet and sour chicken with lo mein noodles instead of rice. The noodles will soak up the sauce just like rice and add a different texture to the dish. You can also add some chopped scallions on top for a pop of color and freshness.
In conclusion, making sweet and sour chicken at home is easier than you think. With the right ingredients and techniques, you can recreate the classic Chinese dish that is sure to impress. So the next time you're craving some Chinese takeout, skip the delivery and try this delicious recipe instead. Your taste buds (and wallet) will thank you.
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