Description
This Oven-Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken is a delightful blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. With juicy, tender chicken pieces coated in a sticky sauce, this recipe is perfect for a family dinner or a special treat. The baking method ensures each bite is packed with flavor, while the simple ingredients make it easy to prepare. Serve it with rice or steamed vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Lightly grease a large baking dish.
- Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Coat the chicken in cornstarch, then dip each piece into the beaten eggs, ensuring they are well-coated.
- In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in batches and cook until browned on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
- Transfer the browned chicken to the prepared baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, distilled white vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth.
- Pour the sweet and sour sauce evenly over the chicken in the baking dish, ensuring all pieces are coated.
- Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour, stirring the chicken every 15 minutes to ensure the sauce thickens and the chicken is evenly coated.
- Serve the sweet and sour chicken over rice or with steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Stir the chicken every 15 minutes during baking to ensure it is evenly coated in the sauce.
- This recipe can be made with chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or on the stovetop over low heat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 50g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 110mg