Here’s a tasty Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe—crispy, tangy, and healthier than the fried version:
Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the Chicken:
- 1 ½ lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Cooking spray or a little oil
For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tsp water (slurry for thickening)
Optional Add-ins:
- Bell peppers, cut into chunks
- Pineapple chunks
- Sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease.
- Set up a breading station: flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in another, panko breadcrumbs in a third.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece in flour, then egg, then panko, pressing lightly to adhere.
- Place chicken on the baking sheet and lightly spray with cooking oil. Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through.
2. Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce
- In a small saucepan, combine ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, and soy sauce.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Add cornstarch slurry and simmer for 1–2 minutes until sauce thickens.
3. Combine and Serve
- Toss baked chicken pieces in the sweet and sour sauce until evenly coated.
- Optionally, add bell peppers or pineapple chunks to the sauce and heat for 2–3 minutes.
- Serve over steamed rice or noodles, garnished with sliced green onions.
Tips
- For extra crunch, bake chicken on a wire rack over the sheet pan so air circulates.
- Adjust sweetness/tanginess by adding more sugar or vinegar to taste.
- This can also be made in an air fryer: 10–12 minutes at 400°F, shaking halfway through.
If you want, I can also give a one-bowl version where the chicken and sauce bake together for minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
Do you want me to do that?
