Description
Whipping up Sweet and Sour Chicken brings pure comfort right to your dinner table, where crispy chicken pieces dance in a tangy sauce that perfectly balances zesty and sweet flavors. Guaranteed to satisfy your takeout cravings, this homemade version lets you enjoy restaurant-quality goodness without leaving your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Proteins:
- 2 lbs chicken thighs
Supporting Fruits/Vegetables:
- 5 plums
- ½ yellow onion
- ⅓ cup chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
Seasonings/Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Dice 5 plums and ½ yellow onion into 1½ inch chunks. Grate 1 Tbls fresh ginger using a fine grater, keeping the skin on.
- Transfer diced produce and ginger to a saucepan. Pour in 2 Tbls apple cider vinegar, 2 Tbls olive oil, 2 tsp honey, a pinch of salt, and 2 Tbls coconut aminos. Simmer at 190°F for 15 minutes.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the sauce directly in the saucepan until completely smooth. Continue simmering at low heat (around 180°F) for another 20 minutes.
- Heat a cast iron skillet to 400°F. Add a thin layer of coconut or olive oil to prevent sticking. Cook 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Slice cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and return to the hot skillet. Pour prepared sweet and sour sauce over the chicken, stirring to coat completely. Cook for 10 minutes at medium heat.
- Transfer chicken to serving plates. Sprinkle ⅓ cup chopped green onions on top as a fresh garnish.
Notes
- Fresh plums provide the best flavor, so choose ripe, fragrant fruit for maximum sweetness in the sauce.
- Grating ginger with the skin on saves time and adds extra depth to the sauce’s flavor profile.
- Use a cast iron skillet to get a beautiful golden-brown sear on the chicken, which locks in moisture and creates delicious caramelization.
- For a low-carb version, swap honey with a sugar-free sweetener like monk fruit or stevia, and serve over cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg