Absolutely! Sweet and Sour Chicken with Fried Rice is a classic Chinese-American comfort dish — crispy chicken tossed in a tangy, glossy sauce, served with savory fried rice. Here’s how to make both components from scratch, quickly and easily:
🍍 Sweet and Sour Chicken
🛒 Ingredients:
For the chicken:
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1½ lbs boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
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1 cup cornstarch
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2 eggs, beaten
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Salt & pepper
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Oil for frying
For the sauce:
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1/2 cup sugar
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1/2 cup rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
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1/3 cup ketchup
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1 tbsp soy sauce
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1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry)
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1/2 cup pineapple juice or water
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1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
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1 bell pepper, chopped (optional)
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1/2 onion, chopped (optional)
🔪 Instructions:
1. Prep & fry chicken:
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Season chicken with salt and pepper.
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Dip pieces into cornstarch, then egg.
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Shallow fry or deep fry in hot oil (350°F / 175°C) until golden and crispy, about 4–5 minutes.
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Drain on paper towels or wire rack.
2. Make the sauce:
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In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk sugar, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, and pineapple juice.
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Bring to a simmer, then add the cornstarch slurry to thicken.
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Add pineapple, peppers, and onion. Simmer 3–4 minutes until slightly softened.
3. Combine:
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Toss crispy chicken into the sauce just before serving to keep it crunchy.
🍳 Easy Fried Rice
🛒 Ingredients:
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3 cups cold cooked rice (day-old is best)
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2 tbsp oil (sesame oil or vegetable)
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2 eggs, beaten
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1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots (or any chopped veggies)
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2–3 tbsp soy sauce (to taste)
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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2 green onions, sliced (optional)
🔪 Instructions:
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Scramble eggs:
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pan or wok. Scramble the eggs, then push to the side. -
Stir-fry veggies:
Add a bit more oil, sauté garlic, then add peas and carrots. Stir-fry until heated. -
Add rice & sauce:
Break up rice and stir it into the pan. Add soy sauce and stir everything together. -
Finish:
Mix in green onions if using. Adjust seasoning to taste.
🥢 Serve It Up:
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Plate a scoop of fried rice, top with sweet and sour chicken.
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Garnish with sesame seeds or more green onions.
Want a baked version of the chicken, a vegan tofu twist, or a spicy pineapple version? Let me know!
