Sweet And Sour Chicken(It'S Time For A Hawaiian Delight!)
Sweet and tangy Hawaiian-inspired chicken dish with pineapple, peppers, and rice, perfect for a flavorful family dinner or entertaining guests craving bold, tropical flavors.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water ⓘ
- 5 Tbsp. cornstarch ⓘ
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 (20 oz.) can pineapple chunks, drained, reserving juice ⓘ
- 2 cups Chicken Mix, thawed ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. soy sauce ⓘ
- 1/4 cup white vinegar ⓘ
- 2 cups Chicken Broth, thawed ⓘ
- 2 cups water ⓘ
- 2 cups uncooked long grain rice ⓘ
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced onion ⓘ
- 3/4 cup thinly sliced green peppers ⓘ
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup water, cornstarch, brown sugar, and salt.
- Stir until the mixture is smooth.
- Combine the mixture with the reserved pineapple juice in a large saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat about 5 to 7 minutes, until the mixture starts to thicken.
- Add the Chicken Mix, soy sauce, and vinegar.
- Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a separate saucepan, put Chicken Broth and 2 cups water, then add the rice.
- Cover and cook about 25 minutes.
- Add pineapple chunks, onion slices, and green peppers to the Chicken Mix mixture.
- Cook until vegetables are slightly tender.
- Just before serving, stir in tomato wedges.
- Serve the sauce over the hot, cooked rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For a thicker sauce, increase the cornstarch slightly but ensure to mix it well with water to avoid lumps. If you're out of brown sugar, you can use white sugar with a little molasses for a similar flavor. To enhance the dish, consider adding some ginger or garlic for extra depth. Feel free to substitute chicken with tofu for a vegetarian option, or browse more Chinese recipes for inspiration.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the sweet and sour chicken over the cooked rice, allowing the sauce to soak in for extra flavor. It pairs wonderfully with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside a refreshing cucumber salad or even the Crispy Chicken Stir-Fry for a delightful combination.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much. Alternatively, you can microwave it in short bursts, stirring in between until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sweet And Sour Chicken(It'S Time For A Hawaiian Delight!) contains roughly 772 calories, with 7g protein, 162g carbohydrates, and 10g fat. It is a good source of protein (14% of the Daily Value), iron (12% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (10% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2846mg per serving (124% 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 pineapple instead of canned?
Yes, fresh pineapple can be used for a brighter, fresher flavor. Just make sure to cut it into chunks similar in size to the canned variety. The sweetness of fresh pineapple will enhance the dish even more.
What can I serve with sweet and sour chicken?
This dish goes well with steamed jasmine rice or fried rice. You can also serve it alongside spring rolls or egg rolls for an appetizer. For a healthier option, consider a side of sautéed greens like bok choy or broccoli.
Can I make this dish in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the sauce and chicken mix ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, simply cook the rice and combine everything in a saucepan to heat through before serving for a quick and easy meal.
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).