Go Back
Resep Ayam Asam Manis Simpel dan Cepat

Quick and Simple! Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe

Cooking sweet and sour chicken doesn't have to be complicated. With concise ingredients, basic kitchen tools, and quick steps, you can create a special dish anytime. It's suitable for lunch, dinner, or a convenient, packed meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

  • Prepare the following ingredients for 4 servings:
  • 500 grams chicken breast cut into 3–4 cm cubes
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger about 2 cm, bruised
  • 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper thinly sliced
  • ½ onion thinly sliced crosswise
  • 2 tablespoons tomato sauce ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons chili sauce optional, for mild heat
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 5 tablespoons chicken broth or plain water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons cooking oil for sautéing

Equipment

  • Sharp knife & cutting board – for cutting chicken, vegetables, and seasonings.
  • Large bowl – for mixing chicken slices with basic seasonings (salt & pepper).
  • Wok or heavy frying pan – ideal for sautéing ingredients and thickening the sauce.
  • Spoon and wooden or silicone spatula – used to stir without damaging ingredients during cooking.
  • Small bowl – for making the cornstarch slurry.
  • Strainer or paper towels – useful if you want to remove excess oil from fried chicken.
  • Stovetop – for cooking.

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Chicken Wash the cut chicken, drain, then season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Heat one tablespoon of oil in a wok, then stir-fry the chicken until it changes color—it doesn't need to be fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
  2. Sauté the Seasonings In the same wok, add two tablespoons of oil and sauté the minced garlic and bruised ginger until fragrant and slightly softened. Add the sliced red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and onion. Stir well and sauté for 2–3 minutes, until the vegetables are slightly tender but still crunchy.
  3. Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce Pour the tomato sauce, chili sauce (if desired), sugar, and vinegar into the wok. Stir until thoroughly combined and the sugar dissolves. Add the broth or water, stir gently, and let it simmer briefly to meld the flavors.
  4. Thicken and Combine Flavors Stir in the cornstarch slurry continuously to ensure the sauce thickens evenly. Return the chicken to the wok, stirring gently so the sauce thoroughly coats the meat. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for about 1–2 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce is glossy.
  5. Serving Transfer the sweet and sour chicken to a serving plate, garnish with chopped spring onions (optional) or toasted sesame seeds for extra aroma. Serve hot.
  6. Highlighting the fresh taste from the vinegar and the sweetness from the sugar and tomato sauce, harmoniously blended with the crispy chicken texture, this sweet and sour chicken is perfect served with a plate of warm rice or French fries. This recipe is ready to become a family favorite.

Notes

Vegetable alternatives: You can add thinly sliced carrots or pineapple chunks to make the sweet and sour chicken richer and more complex in flavor.