Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken

If you’re craving something sweet, savory, and downright delicious, this Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe is exactly what you need. Perfectly crispy chicken pieces coated in a flavorful sweet and sour sauce—this dish will quickly become a family favorite. Whether you’re looking for a weeknight dinner or something to impress your guests, this recipe is a winner every time. With minimal ingredients and an easy-to-follow process, you’ll be savoring this tasty dish in no time.

Why You’ll Love Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken

This Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe offers the best of both worlds: crispy, golden-brown chicken and a tangy, flavorful sauce. The contrast in texture between the tender chicken and the crunchy cornstarch coating makes each bite a satisfying experience. Plus, the sauce is a perfect balance of sweetness from the sugar and tanginess from the vinegar, with just enough soy sauce and garlic powder to deepen the flavor.

What makes this recipe even better is that it’s baked instead of fried, which cuts down on the amount of oil used, making it a little bit healthier. It’s easy to customize, so feel free to tweak the seasoning or add some extra vegetables like bell peppers or pineapple for added flavor.

This dish is ideal for serving with a side of steamed rice or noodles, making it a full meal that’s both comforting and satisfying.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken, you’ll need the following ingredients:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 cup corn starch

2 large eggs

1/4 cup vegetable oil (for searing)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup ketchup

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp sea salt

Salt and pepper to season the chicken

These ingredients are simple and can be found in most kitchens, so you don’t need to worry about running out to buy special items. The key ingredients here are the chicken breasts, cornstarch for the crispy coating, and the sweet and tangy sauce that makes the dish so irresistible.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken

Here’s how to make this flavorful dish step-by-step:

1. Prep the Oven and Baking Dish

Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C). This will give your oven time to reach the correct temperature while you prepare the chicken. Line a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup. Set the pan aside and get ready to move on to the next steps.

2. Prepare the Chicken

Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces, which ensures that the pieces cook evenly and are easy to eat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and place the cornstarch in a large Ziploc bag. Add the chicken pieces to the bag, seal it, and shake vigorously until each piece is evenly coated with cornstarch. This cornstarch coating is what will give your chicken that crispy, golden texture after baking.

3. Dip in Eggs and Sear

Next, beat the eggs in a shallow bowl. Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it starts to sizzle. Dip the cornstarch-coated chicken pieces into the beaten eggs, making sure each piece is fully coated, then add them to the hot skillet. Sear the chicken until it turns golden brown on each side. You don’t need to cook the chicken all the way through yet; just get that beautiful crispy exterior.

Once the chicken pieces are golden brown, remove them from the skillet and place them in your prepared baking pan. This will ensure that the chicken stays crispy when it bakes in the oven.

4. Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce

In a medium bowl, combine the granulated sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and sea salt. Whisk everything together until smooth and the sugar is dissolved. This sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, with just a hint of savory from the soy sauce and garlic powder.

5. Coat the Chicken

Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the seared chicken pieces in the baking pan. Use a spoon to make sure all the chicken is covered with the sauce. The sauce will bake into the chicken, enhancing the flavor and creating that mouthwatering sticky glaze that makes this dish so irresistible.

6. Bake and Toss

Place the pan in the oven and bake for 1 hour. Halfway through the baking time, toss the chicken to make sure it cooks evenly and absorbs the sauce. This will help the chicken stay coated in the sauce and prevent it from drying out. By the end of the hour, the chicken will be perfectly cooked, tender on the inside, and crispy on the outside.

7. Serve and Enjoy

Once the chicken is done baking, remove it from the oven. Serve the sweet and sour chicken over a bed of steamed rice or your favorite noodles. Garnish with some fresh herbs like parsley or green onions, if desired. The crunchy, juicy chicken paired with the sweet and tangy sauce will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Helpful Tips for the Perfect Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken

Don’t Skip the Cornstarch: The cornstarch coating is key to getting that crispy, golden-brown texture. Make sure each piece is well-coated before dipping in the egg and searing.

Adjust the Sauce: If you like it sweeter, feel free to add a little extra sugar. If you prefer it more tangy, you can increase the apple cider vinegar for a sharper flavor.

Add Vegetables: For a complete meal, you can add bell peppers, onions, or even pineapple chunks to the baking pan along with the chicken. These veggies will soak up the sauce and make the dish even more vibrant and flavorful.

Serve with a Side: This dish pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice, fried rice, or noodles. For a low-carb alternative, serve it with cauliflower rice.

Nutritional Information

This Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe serves 4 people. Here’s the approximate nutritional breakdown per serving:

Calories: 380 kcal

Protein: 34g

Carbohydrates: 30g

Fat: 16g

Fiber: 1g

Sugar: 22g

Sodium: 500mg

This dish is a great source of protein thanks to the chicken, and while it does have some sugar, it’s balanced with the savory ingredients in the sauce. To make it even lighter, you can reduce the sugar or serve it with a healthier side like cauliflower rice.

Conclusion

This Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken is the perfect blend of crispy chicken and tangy sauce, making it an excellent choice for a family dinner, potluck, or any time you’re craving something flavorful. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this dish comes together in just an hour and is sure to please everyone at the table. Whether you’re serving it with rice or adding your favorite veggies, it’s a meal that brings joy with every bite.

Give it a try tonight, and you’ll see why this sweet and sour chicken will quickly become one of your go-to recipes for any occasion!

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