Hawaiian Sweet and Sour Chicken

Transport your taste buds to the tropics with this vibrant and flavor-packed Hawaiian Sweet and Sour Chicken. Crispy, golden-brown chicken bites are coated in a luscious sweet and tangy sauce made from ketchup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and a touch of brown sugar, perfectly balanced with the zing of fresh garlic and ginger. Tossed with juicy pineapple chunks and colorful bell peppers, this dish is a delightful mix of crunchy, savory, and sweet flavors all in one bite. Ready in just 50 minutes, this easy-to-follow homemade recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing family meal. Serve it over a warm bed of fluffy white rice for the ultimate island-inspired dinner experience that’s sure to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large red bell pepper
• 1 large green bell pepper
• 1.5 cups pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
• 0.5 cup ketchup
• 0.25 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 0.3 cup brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 0.5 cup water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for sauce thickening)
• 2 tablespoons cold water (for slurry)
• 3 cups white rice (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Dice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season the pieces with salt and black pepper.

Step 2

Place 1 cup of cornstarch into a shallow dish. In a separate dish, whisk the eggs.

Step 3

Dip each piece of chicken into the cornstarch to coat, then into the eggs, ensuring the chicken is well-coated.

Step 4

Heat 1/2 cup of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the chicken in batches until golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set it on a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 5

Dice the red and green bell peppers into chunks. If using fresh pineapple, cut it into bite-sized chunks as well.

Step 6

In a medium bowl, mix together the ketchup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Add 1/2 cup of water to the sauce mixture and stir until smooth.

Step 7

In a separate small bowl, prepare a cornstarch slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Set this aside.

Step 8

Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add a small drizzle of vegetable oil, then stir-fry the bell peppers for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.

Step 9

Add the pineapple chunks to the skillet and stir to combine.

Step 10

Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the peppers and pineapple. Bring the sauce to a simmer.

Step 11

Once the sauce begins to simmer, stir in the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until the sauce becomes glossy and coats the vegetables and pineapple.

Step 12

Return the fried chicken pieces to the skillet. Gently toss everything together, ensuring the chicken is coated in the sauce.

Step 13

Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat the chicken through.

Step 14

Serve the Hawaiian Sweet and Sour Chicken over a bed of steamed white rice, if desired, and enjoy immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2318.3 grams (2318.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3232

Total Fat 129.70g	166%
Saturated Fat 22.40g	112%
Polyunsaturated Fat 67.30g
Cholesterol 668mg	223%
Sodium 4297mg	187%
Total Carbohydrate 374.80g	136%
Dietary Fiber 14.50g	52%
Total Sugars 108.80g
Protein 146.30g	293%

Vitamin D 86IU	428%
Calcium 286mg	22%
Iron 10mg	58%
Potassium 2352mg	50%

*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: 35.9%

Protein: 18.0%

Carbs: 46.1%