Micro-Easy Sweet N Sour Chicken
A quick and flavorful sweet and sour chicken dish featuring tender chicken, crunchy pea pods, and pineapple in a tangy sauce, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 6 oz. frozen pea pods ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. water
- 1 small onion ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 1 large stalk celery ⓘ
- 2 cups cooked, cubed chicken ⓘ
- 15 oz. can pineapple chunks ⓘ
- 4 tsp. cornstarch ⓘ
- 1 tsp. instant chicken bouillon granules ⓘ
- dash ground ginger
- 1 tsp. brown sugar ⓘ
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. soy sauce ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. vinegar ⓘ
Instructions
- Place pea pods and water in a 2-quart covered casserole.
- Microwave on High 2 to 3 minutes or until defrosted.
- Break apart and drain the pea pods. Stir in the onion, green pepper, celery, and cooked chicken; set aside.
- In a 4-cup measure, combine cornstarch, bouillon, ground ginger, and brown sugar.
- Stir in soy sauce, vinegar, and reserved pineapple juice to the cornstarch mixture.
- Microwave on High 2 to 3 1/2 minutes or until the sauce is clear and thickened, stirring every minute.
- Fold the sauce into the chicken mixture. Cover.
- Microwave on High 4 to 6 minutes or until heated through.
- Serve over rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For a quicker defrosting of the pea pods, consider using a microwave-safe bowl with a lid instead of a casserole. If you don’t have chicken bouillon granules, you can substitute with vegetable bouillon for a vegetarian option. Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or carrots to enhance the dish’s flavor. For a different twist, try using pineapple juice from fresh pineapples instead of canned.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Sweet N Sour Chicken over a bed of steamed rice for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Ten Ingredients Fried Rice or a side of Stir-Fried Peas And Peppers for added texture and flavor. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for an extra touch. This dish can also be served as part of a larger Chinese Supper spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave on medium power in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated. Avoid reheating too long to prevent the chicken from drying out. This dish can also be frozen for up to a month; just ensure to cool it completely before freezing.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Micro-Easy Sweet N Sour Chicken contains roughly 596 calories, with 4g protein, 131g carbohydrates, and 4g fat. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1882mg per serving (82% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen?
Yes, you can definitely use fresh vegetables instead of frozen. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly as fresh veggies may require a bit longer to cook through. This could also enhance the crunch and freshness of the dish.
What type of rice works best with this dish?
Jasmine or basmati rice pairs well with Sweet N Sour Chicken due to their fragrant and slightly nutty flavors. However, you can also use brown rice for a healthier option. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may vary for different rice types.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Absolutely! You can substitute the chicken with tofu or tempeh to create a vegetarian version. Additionally, use vegetable broth instead of chicken bouillon granules. This will maintain the flavor profile while accommodating dietary preferences.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).