If someone asks me to recommend the best chicken recipe, I suggest this Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe. The chicken is crispy outside and just as juicy and flavorful on the inside.
Perhaps that’s the only reason I’m writing a blog about it. It’s also one of my favourite dishes, so I keep trying it. I have experimented with it using different methods and seasonings, but I will share the best method with you in this recipe.
Contents
Ingredients For Easy Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
I will explain in detail what ingredients we need and how to use them in this recipe. To make this dish, you need 1 pound of chicken. It’s very important to wash the chicken well. Wash, drain, and then dry it with a paper towel.
After this, we use vegetable oil; take about 1 cup or adjust according to the chicken you use. Then, we will use a little dash of salt, some corn starch, about half a cup, two large eggs, and a tablespoon of honey.
Then, a quarter cup of ketchup, some tiny black pepper, half a cup of apple cider vinegar, and a tablespoon of soy sauce.
Some ingredients for seasoning are Grease Caribbean Traditions ginger and garlic pimento. Also, add the robust garlic teriyaki seasoning.
Ingredients List In Short
- Chicken breast: 1 pound (bite-sized pieces)
- Vegetable oil: About ¼ cup (or more, as needed)
- Salt: A little dash
- Cornstarch: About ½ cup
- Eggs: 2 large
- Honey: About 1 tablespoon
- Ketchup: ¼ cup
- Black pepper: A little
- Apple cider vinegar: ½ cup
- Soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
- Grease Caribbean Tradition
- Grease ginger garlic pimento: To taste
- Robust garlic teriyaki seasoning: To taste
How To Make Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken: Easy Steps
Preheat Oven
Since this is baking, we will preheat the oven to 325 degrees before starting the cooking. Preheating is beneficial because it cooks evenly when you put the dish in the oven.
Season The Chicken
Now, we need to season our chicken. Just remember the recipe name: Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken. You can use any seasoning you like. Since I prefer light flavours, I use garlic seasoning. As I mentioned above, I’ve tried many different seasonings on this, each with a different and delicious flavour.
Prepare Sauce & Coating
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
Combine all these ingredients. Your dish will have a slightly sour flavour. Our half recipe is ready with this sour chicken, but the process for the baked chicken is still remaining.
I remember I lost my kitchen gloves but do not worry if you also lost your gloves just use your hand to coat the chicken with sauce. Be sure it’s coated properly.
Baking the Chicken
After frying the chicken to crispiness, transfer this to a baking dish. Cooking spray the dish to prevent sticking, then pour sweet and sour sauce on the the chicken. The magic is in this—the flavours blend & the sauce thickens while baking. Bake for about 45 minutes.
Cooking Process
To cover the chicken evenly, you want to turn them every 15 to 20 minutes. It also helps the sauce hide the chicken completely, so every bite is tasty & juicy.
Final Result
Sweet and sour chicken should take between 35 minutes to one hour to cook, depending on the type of chicken you’re starting with. It’s nice and moist, the chicken isn’t dry, and the sauce has thickened beautifully.
It is a delightful dish for the sweet, spicy, & savoury flavours that combined make for a lovely dish.
Can I Use Frozen Chicken For This Recipe?
- Cooking Time
If you’re using frozen chicken, cook it for about 50% longer than the original cooking time, such as if the recipe specifies baking for 1 hour, bake the frozen chicken for approximately one hour and fifteen minutes.
- Initial Baking
Put fresh frozen chicken pieces inside the baking dish. Cover the dish with foil for the first part of cooking to keep the chicken moist.
- Add the Sauce
- After 20-30 minutes, check the chicken.
- When it softens a bit, pour sweet & sour sauce over it.
- Add the sauce and continue baking.
- Check Temperature
Make sure the chicken’s internal temperature is at least 165° Fahrenheit to ensure it is safe to eat.
- Texture Notes
Textures from frozen might change and become less tender when cooking. Check for it to make sure it’s cooked well.
What’s The Difference Between Baked Sweet & Sour Chicken & Orange Chicken?
Both of these are popular cuisines in America, but there are many differences between them; their preparation methods, preparation time, and even ingredients differ.
- Taste Profile
Sweet & Sour Chicken balances sweet and tangy using sugar or honey, vinegar, soy sauce, and sometimes ketchup. With a strong tang from the vinegar, it has a sweeter taste.
However, orange Chicken comes with a less sweet sauce, the more orange flavour from fresh orange juice & zest, ginger, garlic, and sometimes chilli for some heat, if you like.
- Sauce Consistency
It’s thicker & stickier and sticks to the chicken well. As a result of its higher sugar content, it has a bit more of an incredibly
On the other hand, the orange sauce is light and syrupy, letting the crispy chicken’s crunch come through and providing flavour.
- Preparation Method
Sweet and Sour Chicken is usually sliced, fried until crispy, & dumped in the sauce with vegetables like sliced bell peppers & pineapple.
Orange Chicken does the same thing, though it matches the chicken in soy sauce, then fries it and tosses it in the orange glaze.
- Spiciness
Sweet and Sour Chicken is usually not hot unless you add some chilli. Orange Chicken, though, sometimes comes with chilli flakes or sauce.
Can I Make It a Healthy Option?
If you eat healthy foods, then don’t worry, you can make it a healthy option too.
Chicken Choice
For a leaner protein option, use skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Turkey breast is another great alternative that is lower in fat. These choices help cut overall calories.
Coating
Whole wheat or almond flour may be substituted for cornstarch to add some extra fibre. Cut cholesterol and fat by using egg whites rather than whole eggs. It leaves a crispy texture while being healthier.
Oil Usage
Use nonstick cooking spray to reduce oil. Or, lightly brush the chicken with oil and bake. It minimizes the fat content but still makes the chip crisp.
Sugar Reduction
To cut the calories, lower the sugar in the sauce from ¾ cup to ¼ cup. Instead of artificial sweeteners, try natural sweeteners such as honey or stevia. Sweetened ketchup is also richer in sugar, though you can cut back by opting for unsweetened ketchup.
Sauce Adjustments
You can add vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, or broccoli for extra nutrients and fibre. Using these ingredients helps give flavour and texture, but not adding too many calories.
Simply add a little fresh ginger and garlic to your dishes, which will add a burst of flavour without extra calories.
FAQs
Can you prepare the sauce a day in advance?
You can prepare the sauce three days before and keep it in the fridge until you can use it.
How do I store leftovers?
Put leftovers in an airtight container & refrigerate for up to four days.
Can I freeze Baked Sweet and Sour chicken?
You can freeze this for up to three months. Cool it thoroughly first, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers.
So what should I serve with this dish?
To make it complete with dal and rice, or to turn it into the main course for a healthy, balanced meal, add it over steamed rice or quinoa along with an accompaniment of vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Final Takeaways
When you make baked sweet and Sour Chicken at home, you can choose the ingredients and make better, healthier choices, like using thin chicken, cutting back on the sugar, & adding more veggies.
Everything about this thing is crispy, from the chicken to the sauce with tang and sweetness.