Sweet & Sour Chicken

When the boys were little, they used to love sweet and sour chicken. We couldn’t afford to go out to eat often, so I thought it would be easier/cheaper to make it at home. (It wasn’t!) I found a fritter recipe and paired it with a sweet and sour sauce recipe that the whole family has come to enjoy. During one of our visits to “Granny and Popo’s,” I made this recipe. It became something that Dad and Steven often requested.

The boys and I made a trip to Texas and Steven requested this meal for his children. I hadn’t put the recipe online yet, but I don’t travel “back home” without my cookbook, so I threw this together. Here you go, Steven!

Sweet & Sour Chicken

This is one of Steven's favorite recipes. Serve on a bed of jasmine rice.
No ratings yet
Print Pin Add to Collection
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Author: Cindy Franco Sawyer

INGREDIENTS

Fritter Batter

  • 1 ⅓ cups flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 1 tbsp melted butter (or cooking oil)
  • 2 eggs (separated)
  • ¾ cup beer (flat)
  • 2 lbs chicken boneless/skinless chicken breasts (cut in 1-inch chunks)

Sweet & Sour Sauce

  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup diced bell peppers
  • 6 slices canned pineapple (cut in chunks, reserve juice)
  • ½ cup vinegar
  • ¾ cup pineapple juice (from canned pineapple)
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ¼ tsp ground ginger
  • ½ tsp salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Fritter Batter

  • Beat egg whites until stiff. Set aside.
  • Mix together the first four ingredients and the beaten egg yolks.
  • Add the beer gradually, stirring constantly.
  • Allow batter to rest covered and refrigerated 3 to 12 hours.
  • Just before using, add stiffly beaten egg whites.
  • Coat chicken and fry, letting cooked chicken drain on paper towels.

Sweet & Sour Sauce

  • Have ready a paste of the first three ingredients (corn starch, chicken broth, soy sauce).
  • Melt butter in heavy pan and add the next three ingredients (chicken broth, peppers, pineapple).
  • Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Add the cornstarch paste and the remaining ingredients to the mixture.
  • Simmer, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.

NOTES

  • You can use any meats or vegetables; we like chicken.
  • If the sauce isn’t thickening, make a little more cornstarch paste and add, stirring constantly.
In a hurry and need to flatten beer quickly?
  1. Take beer out of the fridge and let it warm to approximately room temperature.
  2. Pour the beer in a large bowl. The size of the bowl depends on the amount of beer you’re using. Use a large mixing bowl if you have a can or more. If you’re using less than a can, a large cereal bowl will work.
  3. Whisk the beer for 5-10 minutes to remove the carbonation. 
  4. Let the beer sit for 5 minutes before using.