Sweet and sour chicken: a classic of Chinese cuisine with great flavor

Sweet and sour chicken is a popular dish in Chinese cuisine that combines crispy chicken pieces with a sweet and sour sauce. This sauce is usually composed of ingredients such as vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, tomato sauce and spices, which give it its characteristic sweet and sour flavor and reddish color. The chicken is battered and fried before being covered with the sauce.

It has its roots in Cantonese Chinese cuisine, and is believed to have emerged in the Guangdong province of southern China. It has become very popular both inside and outside the country due to its unique flavor and attractive presentation.

Sweet and sour chicken is typically served as part of a main dish at a Chinese banquet or as an individual dish at a restaurant. It is usually served hot and presented on a large plate, decorated with slices of cucumber, onion and pineapple to give it a touch of freshness and color.

When eating it, you can enjoy the combination of sweet and sour flavors of the sweet and sour sauce, along with the crispy texture of the fried chicken. It can be eaten alone or accompanied by white rice, noodles, or sautéed vegetables.

Sweet and sour chicken is prized for its balanced flavor and versatility, and remains one of the most popular Chinese dishes both in China and around the world.

How to prepare this tasty dish at home

Ingredients:

• 500g chicken breast, cut into pieces
• 1 red pepper, cut into pieces
• 1 green pepper, cut into pieces
• 1 onion, cut into pieces
• 1 carrot, cut into thin slices
• 1 cup chopped pineapple (can be canned)
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the chicken batter:

• 1 beaten egg
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Pepper to taste

For the sweet and sour sauce:

• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
• 1/2 cup of water

1. In a bowl, mix the beaten egg with the cornstarch, salt and pepper. Add the chicken pieces and toss well to coat completely.
2. Heat enough vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on absorbent paper.
3. In a small saucepan, whisk together the sugar, rice vinegar, tomato sauce, soy sauce, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat.
4. Add the cornstarch dissolved in water to the hot sauce and stir constantly until the sauce thickens.
5. In a large skillet or wok, heat a little oil and sauté the peppers, onion and carrot until crisp-tender.
6. Add the fried chicken pieces and pineapple to the pan with the vegetables. Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the chicken and vegetables, and cook for a few more minutes, stirring gently so that all the ingredients are well coated with the sauce.
7. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious sweet and sour chicken accompanied by white rice or noodles.

Enjoy this homemade sweet and sour chicken recipe!