Last Updated 08-02-2024
EASY SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN — Healthier than take out, this baked sweet and sour chicken is sure to become a family favorite!
I’ve got several picky eaters at my house, so when I find a meal that everyone loves, like this Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken, I make it often.
The chicken is lightly coated and sauteed until it’s just golden, then it finishes baking in the oven in a sweet and tangy sauce. Serve it over hot cooked rice and you’ll feel like you’re eating at your favorite Chinese restaurant.
Fifth time I’m making this! SOOO good! And like you said all the children like it! Just wish it didn’t take so long to make, but it’s worth it! Thank you! ~ Beth
And I love that it’s mostly baked, not fried. Which means it’s healthier than the restaurant version, and less messy to make at home than a deep fried version.
There’s going to be a lot of sauce at first, but it reduces and gets a little sticky so it coats the chicken perfectly by the time it’s ready to eat.
I’ve made this several times now and I absolutely love it! I add some onion and peppers to the sauce for a bit more texture but it is absolutely delicious! Definitely recommend. ~ Catherine
Just make sure to get some rice cooking while your chicken bakes. This is almost as easy as ordering take-out, and tastes so much better.
My kids especially love this sweet and sour chicken, and it’s practically hassle-free, which makes it a winner in my book.
Be sure to save this Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
Here’s what you’ll need to make Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Chicken
- Salt and pepper, ginger
- Cornstarch
- Eggs
- Canola oil
- Brown sugar
- Ketchup
- Vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Garlic
- Rice, for serving
Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons ketchup
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooked rice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut boneless chicken breasts into chunks. Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Dip chicken in beaten egg, then in cornstarch. Cook chicken in oil until golden brown but not cooked through.
- Place chicken in a single layer in a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce and garlic, ginger and salt and pepper, to taste. Mix well and pour over chicken.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, stirring chicken gently halfway through cooking so it is evenly coated with the sauce. Serve over rice.
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Nutrition
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Who Dished It Up First: Adapted from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe.
CAROLYN WOOD
This is such a great recipe. I make extra sauce as we like extra. Also going to try add red pepper and onions next time.
Catherine Flint
I’ve made this several times now and I absolutely love it! I add some onion and peppers to the sauce for a bit more texture but it is absolutely delicious! Definitely recommend.
Danelle
Thanks so much Catherine!
Julia - Vintage with Laces
I made it and we loved it. Thank you for sharing the recipe! I’ll cook it again soon.
Beth S.
5th time I’m making this! SOOO good! And like you said all the children like it! Just wish it didn’t take so long to make, but it’s worth it! Thank you!
Brenda Tyler
Do you HAVE to fry the chicken, or can you bake the chicken as-is with the sauce?
Stacy
We mad this tonight, and it’s FANTASTIC! Thank you!!
Stacy
*made
Seizing My Day
yum.. sounds good… will have to give it a try! 😉
Danelle
Yes, you leave the oven on for the full hour. 🙂
Pink Pixie
def gonna try this! only one question if you will (I’m just a beginner so try not to laugh :P) just to be sure, after i preheat the oven do i still need to have it on for when i put the chicken in it to bake for another hour?
Monica H
mmm, I love sweet and sour chicken. extra sauce over rice is a must.
claire
looks amazing danelle! this is perfect for a sunday night!
Megan
This seems so easy! can’t wait to try it!
SnoWhite
What a great recipe! My husband loves asian food, esp. sweet and sour chicken and now I can make him some! Thank you.
The Procrastobaker
Thank you for reminding me about this one! I too tried this out a while back now and it was a total winner of a recipe, mine didnt look quite as photogenic as yours mind! But tasted pretty darn good considering how easy it is 🙂
Sarah
Oh yumm! I will have to try this!
Tricia ♥Barn Charmer♥
Oh my goodness, that looks & sounds sooo delicious =)
danasfoodforthought
This sounds great…. definitely a crowd pleaser!