Sweet And Sour Chicken(Microwave)
Sweet and sour chicken cooked quickly in the microwave, featuring tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a tangy sauce with pineapple and red pepper for a vibrant flavor.
Ingredients
- 3 to 3 1/2 lb. cut-up frying chicken ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. melted butter ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- dash of black pepper ⓘ
- dash of ground ginger ⓘ
- 3 c. diced celery ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can pineapple chunks ⓘ
- 3/4 c. pineapple juice (from can) ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. water ⓘ
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. soy sauce ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. cider or red wine vinegar ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch ⓘ
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a microwave-safe dish.
- Pour melted butter over the chicken.
- Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and ground ginger.
- Top with diced celery and cover with waxed paper.
- Microwave on High for 16 minutes, turning the dish once.
- In a microwave-safe measuring cup, mix pineapple juice, brown sugar, water, soy sauce, vinegar, and cornstarch.
- Microwave on High for 3 minutes, stirring once, until the mixture thickens.
- Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken.
- Add pineapple chunks and thinly sliced red pepper.
- Cover with waxed paper and microwave on High for another 6 to 8 minutes, until the chicken is tender and juices run clear.
- Serve hot over rice or noodles.
Tips & Substitutions
For a healthier twist, consider using skinless chicken pieces or substituting the butter with olive oil. You can also replace celery with other crunchy vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas. If you prefer a spicier kick, add some crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce. Ensure to monitor cooking times based on your microwave's wattage, as they can vary significantly.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Sweet And Sour Chicken hot over fluffy rice or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce. For a complete meal, pair it with steamed broccoli or a fresh salad. This dish also pairs beautifully with the flavors of Quick Sweet And Sour Supper, making it a versatile choice for any night of the week.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover Sweet And Sour Chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, place the chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover it with a damp paper towel, and heat on medium power until warmed through, about 2-3 minutes. This helps retain moisture and prevents it from drying out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sweet And Sour Chicken(Microwave) contains roughly 465 calories, with 11g protein, 99g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (77% of the Daily Value), iron (52% of the Daily Value), and calcium (30% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2036mg per serving (89% 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 frozen chicken for this recipe?
While fresh chicken is ideal, you can use frozen chicken pieces if thawed properly. Just ensure they are fully defrosted before microwaving to ensure even cooking. This may require adjusting the cooking time slightly.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To adapt this recipe for a vegetarian diet, substitute the chicken with firm tofu or tempeh. Press the tofu to remove excess moisture before cooking, and follow the same steps for preparation, ensuring the sauce still complements the chosen protein.
What can I substitute for pineapple juice?
If you don't have pineapple juice, you can substitute it with orange juice or a mixture of apple juice and a splash of vinegar for similar sweet and tangy flavors. Adjust the sweetness by adding a bit more brown sugar if necessary.
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).