Sweet and sour chicken is my go to meal when I want to do something nice on a Sunday. It’s simple enough to do in time for Sunday lunch, yet tasty and healthful without the colouring you normally get when you buy it at the restaurant. But sweet and sour chicken is more than just a meal. It’s a reminder that we can create something beautiful out of simple ingredients. In life, we may face challenges that seem insurmountable, but just like how we can turn a few pantry staples into a delicious dish, we can turn our setbacks into victories.
Sweet and sour chicken also teaches us the value of balance. We need the sweetness to balance out the sourness, just like how we need to balance work and play, rest and productivity, and all the other opposing forces in our lives. So the next time you cook up some sweet and sour chicken, remember the lessons it has to offer. Let it inspire you to find beauty in simplicity, strive for balance, and embrace the sweet and sour moments in your life.
Prep Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: Chinese
Servings: 10
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. chicken diced
- 1 lime
- 1 tbsp. soy sauce low sodium
- 1 tbsp. rice cooking wine
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp. peanut oil
- 2 tbsp cornstarch + 3 tbsp. water
- cornstarch for dredging
- 1- 20 oz. tin pineapple chunks
- oil for deep frying
- 1 tsp. salt optional
- 1 tsp. five spice powder
- 1 tsp. complete seasoning optional
- 2 sprigs chive chopped ( for garnish)
- 1 green and red sweet pepper optional
Instructions
- Wash diced chicken with lime and water. Drain. Season with soy sauce, cooking wine, complete seasoning and 5 spice powder. Marinate for at least 20 minutes. Note: The longer the chicken marinates the better it will infuse the seasoning and taste better. If you can leave it overnight it would be best.
- Dredge chicken in cornstarch and set aside for 5 minutes. Heat oil……When ready, deep fry chicken for about 3 minutes or until golden brown.Drain on paper towels.
- Now for the Sweet and Sour Sauce Place pot over medium flame and add peanut oil. When hot add vinegar, water, sugar and 1 tsp salt. Stir and bring to a boil.
- Add pineapple, and cornstarch mixed in 3 tbsp of water. Allow to reduce until thick, stirring occasionally. Then add the chicken and mix well. Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped chive (optional) Serve hot.
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Recipe © Simply Trini Cooking. All rights reserved
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. chicken diced
- 1 lime
- 1 tbsp. soy sauce low sodium
- 1 tbsp. rice cooking wine
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp. peanut oil
- 2 tbsp cornstarch + 3 tbsp. water
- cornstarch for dredging
- 1- 20 oz. tin pineapple chunks
- oil for deep frying
- 1 tsp. salt optional
- 1 tsp. five spice powder
- 1 tsp. complete seasoning optional
- 2 sprigs chive chopped ( for garnish)
- 1 green and red sweet pepper optional
Instructions
- Wash diced chicken with lime and water. Drain. Season with soy sauce, cooking wine, complete seasoning and 5 spice powder. Marinate for at least 20 minutes. Note: The longer the chicken marinates the better it will infuse the seasoning and taste better. If you can leave it overnight it would be best.
- Dredge chicken in cornstarch and set aside for 5 minutes. Heat oil……When ready, deep fry chicken for about 3 minutes or until golden brown.Drain on paper towels.
- Now for the Sweet and Sour Sauce Place pot over medium flame and add peanut oil. When hot add vinegar, water, sugar and 1 tsp salt. Stir and bring to a boil.
- Add pineapple, and cornstarch mixed in 3 tbsp of water. Allow to reduce until thick, stirring occasionally. Then add the chicken and mix well. Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped chive (optional) Serve hot.
