This Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe is a healthy and easy recipe, which is made with fresh pineapple and tender chicken breasts. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, ready in about 30 minutes.
Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- ½ small pineapple
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1 onion, cut into wedges
- 1 green and 1 red pepper, seeds removed and chopped
- 1 tbsp cornflour
- 4 spring onions, trimmed and thinly diagonally sliced
For the Sauce:
- 1 tbsp cornflour
- 300ml fresh pineapple juice
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 25g (1oz) piece fresh root ginger, peeled and finely grated
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp soft light brown sugar
- 3 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 1 pinch dried chilli flakes
- Freshly ground black pepper
How To Make Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornflour with two tablespoons of the pineapple juice to create a smooth slurry. In a separate, larger bowl, whisk together the remaining pineapple juice, crushed garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and chili flakes.
- Prep the Chicken and Pineapple: Cut the skin off the pineapple, quarter it, remove the core, and cut the flesh into thick slices. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
- Stir-fry the Vegetables and Chicken: Heat the oil in a large wok or non-stick frying pan over high heat. Add the onion and peppers and stir-fry for 3 minutes. Lightly coat the chicken pieces in the remaining 1 tablespoon of cornflour and add them to the pan. Stir-fry for 4 minutes until lightly colored.
- Combine and Simmer: Add the pineapple chunks and the prepared sweet and sour sauce to the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring, until the chicken is cooked through.
- Thicken and Serve: Stir in the cornflour and pineapple juice slurry. Cook for another 30–60 seconds until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Sprinkle with the sliced spring onions and serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- How do I get everything cooked perfectly? This is a very fast-cooking dish. The key is to have all your vegetables chopped, the sauce mixed, and the chicken prepped before you even turn on the heat.
- Can I use tinned pineapple? Fresh pineapple is recommended for the best flavor and texture, but you can use canned pineapple chunks in a pinch. Make sure to drain them very well before adding them to the pan.
- How do I get that bright red takeaway color? The vibrant orangey-red color you see in many takeaways is artificial. If you want to replicate it, you can add a single drop of red food coloring to the sauce.
- How is this version healthier? This recipe uses less sugar than many takeaway versions and is packed with extra fresh vegetables like peppers and onions, making it a better choice for a weekday meal.
What To Serve With Sweet and Sour Chicken
This classic dish is best served with a simple side to soak up the delicious, glossy sauce.
- Steamed white or jasmine rice
- Egg fried rice
- Plain noodles
How To Store Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Refrigerate: Cool leftovers completely and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Reheat gently in a wok or skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has become too thick. You can also microwave individual portions.
Sweet and Sour Chicken Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Protein: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 4g
- Salt: 0.9g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes, this recipe would work wonderfully with pork tenderloin, cut into bite-sized pieces, or even with large prawns. Adjust the cooking time accordingly; pork will take a similar amount of time, but prawns will cook much faster.
This recipe results in tender, saucy chicken. For a crispy, Hong Kong-style sweet and sour chicken, you would need to deep-fry the chicken in a separate batter before adding it to the sauce at the very end.
Absolutely. Feel free to taste the sauce before you add the final cornflour slurry. If you prefer it sweeter, add a little more brown sugar. For more tang, add an extra splash of white wine vinegar.
Try More Recipes:
Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
Description
A healthier, homemade version of the takeaway classic, featuring tender chicken and fresh pineapple in a glossy, tangy sauce.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix the main sauce ingredients. In a separate small bowl, make a slurry with 1 tbsp cornflour and 2 tbsp pineapple juice.
- Stir-fry onion and peppers for 3 minutes.
- Coat chicken pieces in 1 tbsp cornflour and add to the pan; stir-fry for 4 minutes.
- Add the pineapple and the main sauce mixture. Simmer for 4-5 minutes until the chicken is cooked.
- Stir in the cornflour slurry and cook for 1 minute until the sauce is thick and glossy.
- Garnish with sliced spring onions.
- Serve immediately with steamed rice.
Notes
- Prepare all your vegetables and mix the sauce before you start cooking, as this dish comes together very quickly.
- Fresh pineapple provides the best flavor and texture for this recipe.
- For a truly authentic takeaway look, a single drop of red food coloring can be added to the sauce.
- This recipe is intentionally lower in sugar and higher in vegetables than many other versions.
