Heart-Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken

Elevate your weeknight dinners with this "Heart-Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken" recipe, a wholesome twist on a takeout favorite. Packed with lean, protein-rich skinless chicken breast, vibrant bell peppers, sweet pineapple chunks, and a tangy-sweet homemade sauce, this dish is full of bold flavors without compromising your health. The sauce strikes the perfect balance with low-sodium soy sauce, honey, and cider vinegar, thickened just right with a cornstarch slurry for that signature glossy finish. Sautéed in heart-smart olive oil, this dish skips the deep-fried batter, making it a light yet satisfying meal. Serve it over nutrient-packed brown rice and garnish with sesame seeds or green onions for an extra pop of flavor and texture. Ready in just 35 minutes, this recipe is perfect for anyone looking for a quick, flavorful, and nutritious dinner idea!

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Skinless, boneless chicken breast
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 medium Red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium Green bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium Carrot, thinly sliced
• 1 cup Pineapple chunks in juice (no sugar added), drained
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons Low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Tomato paste (no added salt)
• 2 tablespoons Honey
• 1 teaspoon Cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon Water
• 2 cups Cooked brown rice (optional, for serving)
• 2 stalks Green onions, sliced (optional, for garnish)
• 1 teaspoon Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet or wok, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the garlic, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and carrot. Sauté for 5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.

Step 4

While the vegetables cook, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, cider vinegar, tomato paste, honey, and pineapple juice drained from the pineapple chunks. Taste and adjust sweetness or tanginess as needed.

Step 5

In another small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the water to create a slurry.

Step 6

Add the cooked chicken, pineapple chunks, and the sweet and sour sauce to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir to coat everything evenly.

Step 7

Slowly pour in the cornstarch slurry while stirring. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.

Step 8

Serve the sweet and sour chicken over cooked brown rice, if desired. Top with green onions and sesame seeds for garnish, if using.

Step 9

Enjoy your heart-healthy sweet and sour chicken!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1567.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1724.2

Total Fat 36.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 385.6mg	0%
Sodium 1429.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 186.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.6g	0%
Total Sugars 76.4g
Protein 160.7g	0%

Vitamin D 4.5IU	0%
Calcium 233.2mg	0%
Iron 9.8mg	0%
Potassium 2544.4mg	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: 19.1%

Protein: 37.5%

Carbs: 43.4%