Cheater Sweet and Sour Chicken

Satisfy your takeout cravings at home with this quick and easy Cheater Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe! Perfect for weeknight dinners, this dish delivers all the tangy-sweet flavor you love in a fraction of the time. Tender chicken cubes are coated in a light cornstarch crust, seared until golden, and tossed with crisp bell peppers, juicy pineapple tidbits, and an irresistible homemade sauce made from pantry staples like ketchup, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Ready in just 30 minutes and served over fluffy white rice, this family-friendly meal is a perfect balance of savory and sweet, with a pop of vibrant colors and fresh garnishes like green onions for presentation. Skip the takeout and bring this delicious stir-fry straight to your table!

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 0.5 cup ketchup
• 0.25 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 0.5 cup pineapple tidbits (drained)
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 stalks green onions (optional for garnish)
• 4 cups cooked white rice (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Cut the chicken into bite-sized cubes and place them in a bowl.

Step 2

Sprinkle the chicken with cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.

Step 3

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

Step 4

Add the chicken to the hot pan, spreading it out evenly. Sear on one side for 3-4 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes until fully cooked. Remove the chicken and set aside.

Step 5

In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.

Step 6

Add the diced bell peppers and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly to avoid burning.

Step 7

In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar to create the sweet and sour sauce.

Step 8

Pour the sauce into the skillet with the bell peppers and garlic. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 9

Add the cooked chicken and the pineapple tidbits to the skillet, tossing everything together to coat in the sauce.

Step 10

Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes until the chicken and pineapple are heated through and the sauce slightly thickens.

Step 11

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed (add a pinch of salt or sugar to balance flavors).

Step 12

Serve hot over cooked white rice and garnish with chopped green onions, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2083.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2765.2

Total Fat 58.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 10.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 25.2g
Cholesterol 385.6mg	0%
Sodium 3192.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 379.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.4g	0%
Total Sugars 69.6g
Protein 172.7g	0%

Vitamin D 4.5IU	0%
Calcium 243.1mg	0%
Iron 17.7mg	0%
Potassium 2312.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 19.3%

Protein: 25.2%

Carbs: 55.4%