Sweet Sour Chicken Pineapple (Printer-friendly)

Tender chicken pieces sautéed with bell peppers, onions, and pineapple in a tangy sauce.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 2 tbsp cornstarch
03 - 0.5 tsp salt
04 - 0.25 tsp black pepper
05 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil

→ Vegetables & Fruit

06 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
07 - 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
08 - 1 small red onion, cut into wedges
09 - 1 cup pineapple chunks, fresh or canned and drained
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated

→ Sweet and Sour Sauce

12 - 0.33 cup rice vinegar
13 - 0.25 cup ketchup
14 - 0.25 cup brown sugar
15 - 3 tbsp soy sauce
16 - 2 tbsp pineapple juice
17 - 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water

# Directions:

01 - In a bowl, toss the chicken cubes with cornstarch, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
02 - Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes, turning to brown all sides. Remove to a plate and repeat with remaining chicken and oil.
03 - In the same skillet, add garlic, ginger, onion, and bell peppers. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until just tender.
04 - Add pineapple chunks and return the browned chicken to the skillet.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, and pineapple juice. Pour over the skillet mixture.
06 - Bring to a simmer, then stir in the cornstarch slurry. Cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens and chicken is cooked through, approximately 2-3 minutes.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in one skillet, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor without the fuss.
  • The sauce strikes that perfect balance between tangy and sweet without ever tasting cloying or one-note.
  • Tender, juicy chicken with vegetables that stay slightly crisp feels both comforting and a little fancy.
02 -
  • Don't skip browning the chicken properly because those golden bits create flavor you literally cannot get any other way, and rushy cooking shows immediately.
  • If your sauce seems too thin after cooking the chicken all the way through, that's usually because you either didn't whisk your cornstarch slurry smooth or the heat wasn't quite high enough to activate it.
03 -
  • Toast your rice in the pan with a little oil before adding water and this becomes the only side dish you'll ever need.
  • Make the sauce ingredients in advance so you're just whisking them together when the vegetables are ready, which keeps momentum going and prevents overcooking.
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