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Sweet and sour chicken

⏱ 30 min🍳 15 min👤 2 pp★★★★☆

How often do we feel like trying something with a completely different flavour, perhaps on a limited budget? With this recipe you can transform some simple chicken - in this case organic chicken pieces - into a superb, economical dish inspired by the Far East. It's a chance to recreate at home the flavours you might have tried at a Chinese restaurant, and to discover that recipes that might seem complicated, are often, in the end, nothing of the kind!

Ingredients

Topping

Nutritional values 285 kcal / serving
Protein
28g
Carbohydrates
28g
Fat
6g
Fiber
1.5g

* approximate values per serving

Information
30 minutes Preparation time
15 minutes Cooking time
Serves 2 persons
★★★★☆ Hard

Preparation

Start with the sauce: put a two-finger depth of water in a saucepan. Add the remaining ingredients: tomato paste, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, cornflour. Mix well, bring to the boil and simmer until this Chinese sweet and sour sauce reaches the correct gelatinous consistency and the desired density. Remove from heat. Dip the chicken pieces in flour and shake off the excess. Brown them well on both sides in a frying pan with a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the bell pepper chopped into small chunks, and the sliced onion. Fry everything for 10 minutes, then add the white wine and reduce. When cooked, add the cubed pineapple and cook for two minutes more. Finish with three or four tablespoons of the sweet and sour sauce. Mix well and serve hot.

Tips
When you are making this Chinese sweet and sour sauce, you can adjust the relative quantities of vinegar and sugar according to taste
Trivia
When you slice up your pineapple, keep the upper green tuft, let it dry for a few days, then plant it in some sandy loam: it will take root and soon you will have a lovely pineapple plant ... at home!

Step by step

Ingredients
Ingredients
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Additional information

Sweet and Sour Chicken with Pineapple and Yellow Peppers

One of the tastiest variations of sweet and sour chicken is undoubtedly the one that includes pineapple and yellow peppers. This preparation enriches the dish with a sweet and fruity note that perfectly complements the salty flavor of soy sauce. To make this variation, simply cut the pineapple into cubes and the yellow peppers into strips, to be added to the chicken during browning. The pineapple not only adds a fresh flavor but also a pleasant texture, while the peppers provide crunch and color. The final result is a vibrant and appetizing dish, ideal for a family dinner or with friends. Served with basmati rice, sweet and sour chicken with pineapple and peppers becomes a true journey in taste, perfect for those who love to explore new culinary combinations.

Chinese Sweet and Sour Chicken

Chinese sweet and sour chicken is one of the most famous recipes of Eastern cuisine, loved for its balance of flavors. This traditional preparation involves the use of ingredients such as soy sauce, white wine vinegar, and sugar, which together create a thick and flavorful sauce. To achieve an authentic result, it is essential to follow the recipe carefully, paying attention to the cooking of the chicken, which must remain tender and juicy. The ingredients can vary according to preferences, but the combination of browned chicken and sweet and sour sauce remains an evergreen classic. Served with rice or noodles, this dish is perfect for an Asian-style evening, bringing a piece of Chinese culinary tradition to the table.

Light Sweet and Sour Chicken without Sugar

For those who wish to enjoy sweet and sour chicken without feeling weighed down, there is a light variation that eliminates sugar, replacing it with natural sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup. This version maintains the typical sweet and sour flavor of the dish but with fewer calories and a reduced sugar content. Additionally, one can opt for oven cooking instead of frying, for an even lighter dish. By using fresh and seasonal ingredients like peppers and pineapple, light sweet and sour chicken becomes an excellent choice for those following a balanced diet. Thus, one can enjoy a flavorful dish without sacrificing health and well-being.

Benefits of Sweet and Sour Chicken: Properties and Calories

Sweet and sour chicken, in addition to being a tasty dish, also offers several nutritional benefits. Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, essential for maintaining muscle mass and for the proper functioning of metabolism. Furthermore, the addition of peppers and pineapple provides vitamins and antioxidants, contributing to overall well-being. The calories in a serving of sweet and sour chicken are around 300-400 kcal, depending on the amount of sauce used and additional ingredients. Thanks to the presence of fresh and nutritious ingredients, this dish can be included in a balanced diet, providing energy and essential nutrients without excess.

Can Sweet and Sour Chicken be Frozen?

One of the most common questions regarding sweet and sour chicken is whether it can be frozen. The answer is affirmative: sweet and sour chicken can be frozen, but with some precautions. It is advisable to freeze it immediately after preparation, ensuring that it is completely cooled. To prevent the sauce from separating during the thawing process, it is helpful to store it in airtight containers or food bags, removing excess air. When you wish to consume it, simply thaw it in the refrigerator for a few hours and reheat it in a pan or microwave. This way, you can enjoy a delicious dish even days after preparation, without compromising flavor and texture.