Sweet 'N Sour Baked Chicken
Sweet 'N Sour Baked Chicken offers tender chicken in a tangy, sweet, and savory sauce with pineapple, perfect for family dinners and entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 1/4 c. butter ⓘ
- 1/2 c. chopped onion ⓘ
- 1/2 c. coarsely chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 c. coarsely chopped carrots
- 3/4 c. ketchup ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. vinegar ⓘ
- 1/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar ⓘ
- dash of red pepper ⓘ
- ground ginger ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. soy sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. garlic salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1 c. pineapple chunks, drained ⓘ
- 1 c. pineapple juice ⓘ
- 1 (3 lb.) chicken, cut up ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a medium skillet, heat butter until melted.
- Add chopped onion, green pepper, and carrots; cook for 5 minutes, stirring.
- Stir in ketchup, pineapple juice, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic salt, salt, pepper, and ginger.
- Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture boils.
- Add pineapple chunks to the sauce.
- Arrange chicken pieces in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken.
- Bake uncovered for 45 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for an additional 30 minutes or until done.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier kick, consider adding more red pepper or serving with a side of hot sauce. If you don't have pineapple juice, you can substitute with orange juice for a different flavor profile. Fresh vegetables can also be swapped in; bell peppers or snow peas work well in place of carrots. Keep stirring the sauce to prevent it from sticking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this sweet 'n sour baked chicken over a bed of fluffy white rice to soak up the delicious sauce. Steamed broccoli or a fresh garden salad make excellent side dishes, adding color and nutrition to your meal. For a unique twist, pair it with the Honey Curry Chicken for a delightful contrast of flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for quicker reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sweet 'N Sour Baked Chicken contains roughly 550 calories, with 3g protein, 42g carbohydrates, and 42g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (62% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2590mg per serving (113% 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 skinless chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use skinless chicken pieces. However, keep in mind that the skin adds flavor and moisture during baking. If using skinless, consider marinating the chicken in the sauce beforehand to enhance its flavor.
What can I substitute for brown sugar?
If you don't have brown sugar, you can use white sugar with a touch of molasses, or even honey or maple syrup as a substitute. Just adjust the quantity slightly, as these alternatives are sweeter.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the chicken and sauce a day ahead, store them separately in the fridge, and bake them just before serving. This can save you time and allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
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).