25 Best Sweet and Sour Recipes to Try

Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe

Craving a delicious and vibrant meal that’s quick to whip up? This Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir-Fry is the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, with colorful veggies and juicy chicken pieces. It’s ready in under 30 minutes, making it a go-to choice for busy weeknights. Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients

• For the Chicken:

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• For the Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (to make a slurry)
    

    For the Stir-Fry:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 

  1 red bell pepper, sliced

• 1 green bell pepper, sliced

• 1 cup pineapple chunks, drained

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• Cooked rice, for serving

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and cornstarch until they are well-coated.

2. Cook the Chicken:

   • Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
   • Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

3. Make the Sauce:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, and cornstarch slurry until well combined. Set aside.

4. Stir-Fry the Vegetables:

   • In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
   • Sauté the garlic, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper until tender-crisp, about 3-4 minutes.

5. Combine Everything:

   • Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.
   • Add the pineapple chunks and pour the sweet and sour sauce over the stir-fry.
   • Stir well to combine and cook until the sauce thickens and everything is heated through, about 2 minutes.

6. Serve:

• Divide the stir-fry among plates and serve with steaming hot rice.

Tips:

• Feel free to add other vegetables like snap peas or broccoli for extra nutrients and color.
• For a little heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.

Enjoy this delightful Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir-Fry that bursts with flavor and vibrant colors. Perfect for a quick, satisfying dinner that your family will love!

Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken

This baked sweet and sour chicken recipe is a family favorite that has been a hit for over a decade. It’s a healthier alternative to traditional fried sweet and sour chicken, with a delicious browned crust and a tangy, sweet sauce.

Get the full recipe at: Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

Clean Eating Sweet + Sour Chicken Recipe

This sweet and sour chicken recipe is a game-changer for dinner nights. It features tender chicken bites coated in a deliciously sticky homemade sweet and sour sauce, perfect for serving with brown rice and steamed broccoli.

Get the full recipe at: CleanFoodCrush

Sweet and Sour Chicken (Better than Takeout!)

This sweet and sour chicken recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves crispy, juicy chicken and tangy sauce. It pairs well with fried rice, noodles, or on its own, and the secret ingredients make it even more special.

Get the full recipe at: Tiffy Cooks

Sweet and Sour Chicken (Updated!)

This updated sweet and sour chicken recipe is a crowd-pleaser. It features a tangy and savory sauce made with soy sauce, ketchup, plum sauce, oyster sauce, and rice vinegar. The chicken is crispy and juicy, making it perfect for any occasion.

Get the full recipe at: Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

Sweet and Sour Chicken Skewers

Experience the perfect balance of sweetness and tang with these vibrant chicken skewers, ideal for your next barbecue.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 cup pineapple chunks
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• Skewers

Cooking Method:

1. Marinate: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and ketchup. Add chicken cubes and let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Assemble Skewers: Thread chicken, bell peppers, and pineapple onto skewers.
3. Prepare Sauce: In a small saucepan, mix cornstarch and water, then add the remaining marinade. Heat until thickened.
4. Grill: Cook skewers on a preheated grill over medium heat, turning occasionally until cooked through, about 10 minutes.
5. Serve: Baste with thickened sauce before serving.

Sweet and Sour Vegan Stir-Fry

This colorful stir-fry is packed with vegetables, delivering a delicious and wholesome sweet and sour punch.

Ingredients:

• 1 block of firm tofu, cubed
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1/2 cup sugar snap peas
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 cup water

Cooking Method:

1. Prepare Tofu: Pat tofu dry and pan-fry in vegetable oil until golden brown; set aside.
2. Cook Vegetables: In the same pan, stir-fry broccoli, bell pepper, carrot, and sugar snap peas until crisp-tender.
3. Make Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, soy sauce, cornstarch, and water.
4. Combine: Return tofu to the pan, pour the sauce, and stir until the sauce has thickened and everything is well-coated.
5. Serve: Enjoy hot over steamed rice or noodles.

Sweet and Sour Pork Meatballs

Juicy pork meatballs smothered in a rich sweet and sour sauce make for a comforting and flavorful dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground pork
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon oil

Cooking Method:

1. Form Meatballs: Mix ground pork, egg, breadcrumbs, and soy sauce. Shape into meatballs.
2. Cook Meatballs: Heat oil in a pan, add meatballs, and cook until browned and cooked through; remove from pan.
3. Make Sauce: In the same pan, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Mix cornstarch with water and add to the pan.
4. Finish Dish: Return meatballs to the pan, simmer until the sauce thickens.
5. Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and serve over rice or noodles.

Sweet and Sour Shrimp Tacos

Give your tacos a zesty twist with these sweet and sour shrimp, offering a vibrant mixture of textures and flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 1 avocado, diced
• Corn tortillas

Cooking Method:

1. Marinate Shrimp: Mix orange juice, lime juice, honey, and soy sauce. Marinate shrimp for 15 minutes.
2. Cook Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté shrimp until pink and opaque.
3. Assemble Tacos: Place shrimp, cabbage, and avocado in corn tortillas.
4. Serve: Drizzle with any remaining marinade for added flavor.

These sweet and sour recipes prove that with the right combination of ingredients, you can create delightful meals that will satisfy any palate. Enjoy exploring these unique tastes in your kitchen!