Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken

This Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe offers a delightful blend of sweet and tangy flavors, perfect for a delicious meal that’s sure to impress. The baked method ensures the chicken is tender and juicy, while the sweet and sour sauce caramelizes beautifully.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1″ pieces
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat and Prep:
   • Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Set it aside.
2. Prepare the Chicken:
   • Season the chicken breast pieces with salt and pepper.
   • Add the cornstarch to a large Ziploc bag and add the chicken breast pieces. Seal the bag and shake it to coat the chicken evenly with cornstarch.
   • In a shallow bowl, beat the two large eggs.
3. Sear the Chicken:
   • Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it’s sizzling.
   • Dip each cornstarch-coated chicken piece into the beaten eggs, ensuring they are well coated.
   • Sear the coated chicken pieces in the skillet until they turn golden brown. Then, transfer them to the prepared baking pan.
4. Make the Sauce:
   • In a medium-sized bowl, combine the granulated sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder, and sea salt. Whisk these ingredients together until well mixed.
5. Bake the Chicken:
   • Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the chicken pieces in the baking pan.
   • Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, making sure to toss the chicken halfway through to ensure even coating and cooking.
6. Serve:
   • Once the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened, remove it from the oven.
   • Serve the Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken with rice or your preferred side dish.

Tips:

• Vegetables: Add bell peppers, onions, and pineapple chunks to the baking pan for a more authentic sweet and sour experience.
• Garnish: Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for added flavor and presentation.
• Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutritional Information:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Servings: 4 servings
• Calories: Approx. 400 kcal per serving (without rice or additional sides)

Enjoy your homemade Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken, a perfect combination of flavors that’s sure to satisfy!