Name: Quick Sweet and Sour Chicken
Cook time: 22 minutes
Total time: 22 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 6 tablespoons cornstarch; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided; 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts and/or thighs; 4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided; 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar; 1/4 cup honey; 1 cup canned pineapple chunks plus 1/4 cup pineapple juice; 3 tablespoons ketchup; 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari; 2 teaspoons light brown sugar; 1 large garlic clove, finely grated; 1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced; 1 medium green or red bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, sliced into 1" pieces; 1 scallion, thinly sliced; Cooked white or brown rice (for serving)

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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone

This panfried version of this classic sweet-and-tangy Chinese-American dish can be cooked in 22 minutes or less.

Cooks' Note

Editor's note: This recipe name and headnote have been updated as a part of our archive repair project.

Recipe information

Total Time
22 minutes
Yield
4 servings

Ingredients

6 tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts and/or thighs

4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup honey

1 cup canned pineapple chunks plus 1/4 cup pineapple juice

3 tablespoons ketchup

2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari

2 teaspoons light brown sugar

1 large garlic clove, finely grated

1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced

1 medium green or red bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, sliced into 1" pieces

1 scallion, thinly sliced

Cooked white or brown rice (for serving)

Preparation

Step 1
Whisk cornstarch, pepper, and 1 1/2 tsp. salt in a large bowl. Pat chicken dry and cut into 1" chunks. Add to cornstarch mixture and toss to coat.
Step 2
Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over high. Add half of chicken and cook, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and a light brown crust forms, about 5 minutes.
Step 3
Meanwhile, stir vinegar, honey, pineapple juice, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and remaining 1/4 tsp. salt in a medium bowl.
Step 4
Transfer cooked chicken to a plate or bowl. Heat remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in skillet and cook remaining chicken, turning occasionally, 3 minutes. Add onion and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened and chicken is cooked through, about 2 minutes more. Add sauce to skillet along with pineapple chunks and first batch of chicken. Toss well to coat in sauce and continue to cook until sauce is reduced and thickened, 1–2 minutes more.
Step 5
Divide chicken mixture among plates and top with scallion. Serve with rice alongside.

Recipe notes

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