Sweet-Sour Chicken Breasts
Sweet-sour chicken breasts feature tender chicken with a tangy sauce, pineapple, and vegetables, perfect for a flavorful family dinner with a balanced sweet and savory profile.
Ingredients
- 6 large chicken breasts ⓘ
- 4 Tbsp. flour ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. garlic salt ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil ⓘ
- 3/4 c. chicken broth
- 1 large can pineapple chunks ⓘ
- 1/2 c. pineapple syrup ⓘ
- 1 tsp. curry powder ⓘ
- 1 tsp. ground ginger ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch ⓘ
- 1/2 c. soy sauce ⓘ
- 4 Tbsp. catsup ⓘ
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. vinegar ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. honey ⓘ
- 1 (6 oz.) package frozen Chinese pea pods ⓘ
- 4 Tbsp. green onions, sliced ⓘ
Instructions
- Toss chicken breasts with flour and garlic salt; brown in heated olive oil.
- Add chicken broth; cover and cook slowly for 15 minutes.
- Drain pineapple, saving syrup.
- Combine syrup with curry powder, ground ginger, and cornstarch.
- Blend in soy sauce, catsup, vinegar, and honey.
- Pour sauce over chicken and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, or until barely tender.
- Add drained pineapple and frozen pea pods.
- Cook for 5 minutes longer, or until vegetables are done.
- Arrange chicken with peas and sauce on a serving platter.
- Sprinkle with sliced green onions.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance flavor, marinating the chicken breasts in soy sauce and ginger for 30 minutes prior to cooking can yield a more tender result. If you don't have pineapple chunks, you can substitute them with diced peaches or mango for a different twist. For a thicker sauce, add a bit more cornstarch mixed with water. This recipe can also be adapted for stir-frying, similar to Turkey Stir-Fry.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this dish over a bed of steamed rice or alongside noodles for a satisfying meal. It pairs beautifully with Snow Peas With Water Chestnuts for added crunch and freshness. For a complete dinner, consider serving a light salad or some steamed broccoli on the side.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Sweet-Sour Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to keep it moist. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sweet-Sour Chicken Breasts contains roughly 384 calories, with 5g protein, 65g carbohydrates, and 12g fat. It is a good source of iron (19% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (11% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 690mg per serving (30% 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 boneless thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, boneless chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts. They will add more flavor and remain juicy during cooking. Adjust the cooking time slightly, as thighs may take a bit longer to cook through.
Is it possible to make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time, storing them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply heat the chicken and sauce together and add the vegetables just before serving for freshness.
What can I do if I don't have soy sauce?
If you don't have soy sauce, you can use tamari for a gluten-free option or make a quick substitute by mixing equal parts of balsamic vinegar and water with a pinch of salt. It won't have the exact flavor, but will work in a pinch.
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).