Sweet And Sour Chicken

The is the BEST sweet and sour chicken recipe you will find. It's been my favorite food since I was a kid, so this is not just a regular recipe for me. The sauce is made with lychee juice, which is a technique I learned from high-end Chinese restaurants.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 1

Cook Time 10

Total Time 1 10

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Chinese

Servings people

Ingredients

Marinade

1 pound boneless chicken thighs (or breasts)
1 large egg white
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon salt

Sweet and sour sauce

3 tablespoons ketchup
6 tablespoons brown sugar (firmly packed)
3 tablespoons white vinegar
1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup lychee juice (from a can of lychees)
5-6 drops red food coloring (optional)

Dredge

1 cup cornstarch
½ cup tapioca starch
1 teaspoon baking powder

Stir-fry

1 tablespoon neutral oil
1 clove garlic (minced)
½ small onion (chopped)
2 small bell peppers (different colors preferred)

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine the chicken and marinade ingredients. Massage the meat with your hands for one minute then marinate in the fridge for at least 40 minutes (I usually marinate mine overnight).
In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the tapioca starch, cornstarch, and baking powder.
Remove the chicken from the fridge and add a spoonful of the starch mixture to the chicken. Mix well.
Working one at a time, take a piece of chicken and toss it in the dredge. Gently squeeze the chicken so that the starches stick. Transfer to a baking sheet and allow the chicken to rest for at least 10 minutes.
Heat about 1 inch of oil to 375°F. Cook the chicken in several batches for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. After each batch, let the oil reheat to about 375°F. Transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to dry.
In a large nonstick pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions and cook for 1 minute. Add the bell peppers and cook for another minute. Add the sauce mixture and cook until it bubbles and thickens. Add the chicken and toss to coat everything. Enjoy!