Here’s a restaurant-style Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe — crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and coated in a glossy homemade sauce. 🍍🍗
It’s healthier than deep-fried versions but just as delicious!
🍽️ Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken
Serves: 4
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes
🧂 Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 1 ½ lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts — cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2–3 tbsp vegetable oil
For the sweet and sour sauce:
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 4 tbsp ketchup
- ½ cup distilled white vinegar (or rice vinegar for milder tang)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Optional: 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (for thicker sauce)
🍳 Instructions
- Preheat oven:
- Set to 325°F (165°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare chicken:
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Coat each piece in cornstarch, then dip in beaten eggs.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Quickly sear the chicken until golden on all sides (you’re not cooking it through — just browning).
- Transfer browned chicken to the prepared baking dish.
- Make the sauce:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic powder until smooth.
- Pour sauce evenly over the chicken. Toss gently to coat.
- Bake:
- Bake uncovered for 45–55 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes so all pieces get coated in sauce.
- The sauce will thicken and cling to the chicken as it bakes.
- Serve:
- Serve hot over steamed white rice or fried rice.
- Garnish with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, or pineapple chunks if desired.
🍍 Optional Add-Ins
- Add bell peppers and onions during the last 15 minutes of baking for a colorful, stir-fry-style twist.
- For extra tang, mix in pineapple tidbits just before serving.
🧊 Make-Ahead Tips
- You can prepare and brown the chicken up to 1 day ahead, refrigerate, and bake when ready.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully — crisp them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes.
Would you like me to give you a sheet-pan version that includes vegetables (a one-pan meal with less cleanup)?
