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Home Collections Asian Takeout

Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir Fry

By:Nagi
Published:26 Sep '16Updated:1 Aug '20
151 Comments
Recipe v Dozer v

Bright and colourful, this Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir Fry is super fast to make! The sweet and sour sauce is truly like what you get at good Chinese restaurants, but not tooth-achingly sweet. This is not a deep fried version of Sweet and Sour Chicken, it’s a much healthier stir fry.

Make this using whatever veggies you have, switch up the chicken with prawns/shrimp, pork, beef or even fish. This is a winner!

Bright and colourful, this Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir Fry is made with a sauce that rivals the best Chinese restaurants! recipetineats.com

I know my local supermarkets pretty well. I know exactly where to go for most items (except cling wrap, which, for some reason, I always forget which aisle it’s in and Woolies people tell me it’s the single most asked question) and I know the aisles pretty well.

At least, I thought I did. It dawned on me the other day that there is one whole section of the supermarket that I don’t know at all – the prepared meal base aisle. You know the section of the supermarket that sells things like Honey Mustard Sauce in jars and vacuum seal packs?

I am honestly not trying to sound snobby because I don’t judge. She who does the drive through of shame through KFC and Maccers on the odd occasion cannot judge. 😉

Anyway, I actually stopped to take a look the other day and was quite astonished at the range of meal bases that are on offer. Everything from Chow Mein, to Chicken Cacciatore, Goulash, Chilli Con Carne – all the favorites. Including Sweet and Sour Sauce.

I have no idea what the jar stuff tastes like, but I’m pretty sure it won’t be as nice as homemade. And it’s so darn fast to mix together!

Bright and colourful, this Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir Fry is made with a sauce that rivals the best Chinese restaurants! recipetineats.com

Bright and colourful, this Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir Fry is made with a sauce that rivals the best Chinese restaurants! recipetineats.com

Bright and colourful, this Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir Fry is made with a sauce that rivals the best Chinese restaurants! recipetineats.com

PS It looks watery but once simmered, it thickens. 🙂 See? Look how nicely it coats the stir fry?

Bright and colourful, this Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir Fry is made with a sauce that rivals the best Chinese restaurants! recipetineats.com

Oooh – quick little tip for you for chopping capsicum / bell peppers. Doesn’t it annoy you when the seeds inside fly around all over the place?

Well, maybe it doesn’t annoy you, but it annoys me! So this is how I chop capsicum. Fast and mess free!

Bright and colourful, this Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir Fry is made with a sauce that rivals the best Chinese restaurants! recipetineats.com

I like to use chicken thigh for stir fries because it’s juicier than breast and tenderloin. If I make this with chicken breast, I always tenderise it using a Chinese restaurant technique using baking soda (bi-carb). It’s super simple, see directions here: How to Velvet Chicken.

Now, when it comes to stir fries, I am very generous with my sauce. Because the 7 year old inside this 30 something year old body still thinks that the best part of stir fries is scooping up the rice soaked in the delish sweet and sour sauce.

So as with all my stir fries, there is plenty of sauce. Plenty!! – Nagi x

Bright and colourful, this Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir Fry is made with a sauce that rivals the best Chinese restaurants! recipetineats.com

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Bright and colourful, this Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir Fry is made with a sauce that rivals the best Chinese restaurants! recipetineats.com

Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir Fry

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 20 mins
Dinner, Stir Fry
Chinese
4.91 from 50 votes
Servings4
Tap or hover to scale
Print
  • 134
This bright and colourful stir fry is made with a classic Sweet & Sour Sauce which is truly like what you get at good Chinese restaurants. This is not made by deep frying the chicken - it's tasty enough as it is without adding more calories!! Also see Baked version of the fried Sweet & Sour Chicken - recipe here. I know 1/2 cup of sugar sounds like a lot, but it works out at 1 1/2 tbsp per serving, which isn't too bad!

Ingredients

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup white sugar (Note 1)
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tbsp pineapple juice (from the canned pineapple pieces)
  • 3 tbsp ketchup (Australia: tomato sauce)
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (Note 2)
  • 1 tsp soy sauce , light or all purpose (Note 2)
  • 1 tsp Oyster Sauce (Note 2)
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Thickener

  • 1 tbsp cornflour / corn starch + 2 tbsp water , mixed together

Stir Fry

  • 1 1/2 tbsp peanut oil (or vegetable)
  • 1 garlic clove , minced or finely chopped
  • 1 onion , halved and sliced (brown, yellow or white) (see photo in post)
  • 400 g / 13 oz chicken thigh fillets , cut into bite size pieces (Note 3)
  • 1 red capsicum / bell pepper , cut into bite size pieces
  • 1 green or yellow capsicum / bell pepper , cut into bite size pieces
  • 1 can (8oz/250g) canned pineapple pieces in natural juice. Separate pineapple from juice.
  • Sliced shallots / scallions , for garnish

Instructions

  • Mix together Sauce ingredients. Mix together Thickener in a separate small bowl.
  • Heat oil in a wok or skillet over high heat. Add garlic and onion, cook for 1 minute.
  • Add chicken and stir fry until it it is white all over but still pink inside.
  • Add capsicum and stir fry for 2 minutes.
  • Add Sauce ingredients. Stir until sugar has dissolved and the sauce begins to bubble.
  • Add Thickener. Bring to simmer, stirring constantly. Then cook until it thickens to a syrup consistency - about 3 minutes.
  • Stir through pineapple pieces (just to warm) and remove from stove.
  • Serve immediately with rice - or for a low carb, low cal option, try Cauliflower Rice! Garnish with shallots if desired.

Recipe Notes:

1. I know 1/2 cup of sugar sounds like a lot, but it works out at 1 1/2 tbsp per serving, which isn't too bad!
I use 1/4 cup when I'm trying to be healthy. 🙂 It's still quite sweet, but not restaurant sweet. Using 1/2 cup makes it closer to restaurant sweet, but definitely not tooth-achingly sweet. I use less sugar than many recipes you'll find on the internet - some use 1 cup of sugar!!
2. These 3 ingredients are what makes this sauce more like the Sweet & Sour sauce that is served at Chinese restaurants. They are my "secret ingredients"! You can omit one (substitute with more of one of the others) and it will still taste similar. But please don't leave out all 3! The sauce will taste quite flat and bland.
3. If you are using chicken breast which is leaner, I would recommend tenderising it to make it juicier - see How to Velvet Chicken the Chinese restaurant way.
4. Nutrition per serving, stir fry only. If the sugar is reduced to 1/4 cup, then it reduces to 351 calories per serving.Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir Fry nutrition

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 290gCalories: 398cal (20%)Carbohydrates: 44.7g (15%)Protein: 28.3g (57%)Fat: 12.2g (19%)Saturated Fat: 2.8g (18%)Cholesterol: 82mg (27%)Sodium: 455mg (20%)Potassium: 511mg (15%)Fiber: 2.1g (9%)Sugar: 38g (42%)Vitamin A: 500IU (10%)Vitamin C: 107.3mg (130%)Calcium: 40mg (4%)Iron: 1.8mg (10%)
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

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Life of Dozer

I can’t help but think that if he was just 10 cm / 4 inches shorter, he wouldn’t be able to see what’s on the table and he wouldn’t suffer so much……

dozer-sweet-and-sour-chicken-stir-fry-12

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Hi, I'm Nagi!

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151 Comments

  1. Sam Fuchs says

    November 16, 2020 at 10:23 pm

    People, this is a extremely high sugar content meal!! Its not healthy at all. Try substituting some sugar for stevia.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      November 17, 2020 at 7:35 pm

      Hi Sam, it’s not supposed to be a “healthy” meal. But everything in moderation is fine! N x

      Reply
  2. Phill Brown says

    August 25, 2020 at 6:44 pm

    5 stars
    This meal, like all meals on this site was delicious. I added two stalks of celery as well,

    Reply
  3. Jasmine says

    August 13, 2020 at 4:31 pm

    5 stars
    This was spectacular ! It tasted just like the shop and the whole family loved it. Thank you so much !!!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      August 14, 2020 at 5:54 am

      You’re so welcome Jasmine!! N x

      Reply
  4. Alyce says

    August 8, 2020 at 7:57 pm

    5 stars
    OMG!!! Amazing! Thank you Nagi xx

    Reply
  5. Eleanor C says

    August 4, 2020 at 11:24 am

    5 stars
    Great recipe! First time trying it and I doubled the recipe for 4 adults. Everyone loved it. Had maybe 2 servings left which is perfect for tomorrow.

    Reply
  6. Margaret Johnston says

    July 19, 2020 at 7:08 pm

    I make sweet & sour dishes a lot , & found adding the Worcestershire sauce was a huge improvement– thank you, Nagi !

    Reply
  7. Kirsten Fox says

    July 6, 2020 at 11:08 pm

    5 stars
    Simple enough for my teenage daughter to cook – the whole family loved it! We used a third of a cup of sugar and that was sweet enough. Thanks for this super recipe Nagi!

    Reply
  8. Maria says

    June 25, 2020 at 12:14 am

    Love this food… thx

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      June 25, 2020 at 1:11 pm

      You’re so welcome Maria! N x

      Reply
  9. Sabrina says

    June 1, 2020 at 10:43 am

    5 stars
    Another delicious recipe! And so fast! Honestly, the longest time was waiting for the frozen veggies to heat up in the wok. I used a pound of stir fry veggies, half pack of tofu, and added some onions (scallions and Vidalia), and also subbed tapioca starch. The sauce is perfect! Served with red rice. The hubby went back for seconds 🙂 Nagi, I love your recipes because it’s so easy to convert to vegetarian. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Carys says

      April 6, 2021 at 12:17 am

      I’m interested in doing this for my sil. Did you sub the oyster sauce and Worcestershire sauce to make it veggie friendly? Many thanks.

      Reply
      • Sabrina J says

        April 6, 2021 at 12:22 am

        5 stars
        Hi Carys, I used vegetarian oyster sauce (I think it’s mushroom based) and omitted the Worcestershire.

        Reply
  10. Jane says

    May 20, 2020 at 11:11 am

    5 stars
    Made this last night. Sauce is what makes it! Great tasting and made from pantry items. Any combo of protein and vegetable would work. Honestly, I could eat just the sauce with rice!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 20, 2020 at 6:56 pm

      Wahoo, I’m so glad you enjoyed it, thanks so much for letting me know Jane! N x

      Reply
  11. El says

    May 9, 2020 at 8:37 am

    Can I make this in the slow cooker?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      May 11, 2020 at 12:17 pm

      Not this one sorry El! N x

      Reply
  12. James says

    April 23, 2020 at 4:56 am

    5 stars
    I only used the sauce, but it was so fantastic that I had to write it down in my recipe book straight away! <3

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      April 23, 2020 at 9:09 am

      I’m so glad you loved it James!! N x

      Reply
  13. Michele says

    February 3, 2020 at 10:29 am

    5 stars
    Yummy! Thanks for recipe. Cut sugar to 1/4 cup & used brown sugar. Sweet enough for me but family wanted sweeter. No peppers but used onions & sliced carrots. Still amazing

    Reply
  14. Michele Scott-Akanbi says

    January 21, 2020 at 10:36 pm

    I have sachets and no oyster sauce so will be using those plus your twist because your recipes always taste great ams next time, I will get some oyster and Worcestershire sauce and see if it’s even better. Also using pork, looking forward to it.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      January 22, 2020 at 1:59 pm

      Love to know how it turns out Michele!

      Reply
  15. Natalie says

    January 14, 2020 at 1:02 pm

    Can you substitute brown sugar for the white sugar? Can’t wait to try this recipe!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      January 15, 2020 at 7:44 pm

      You can Natalie, it will have a slightly more caramelised flavour and colour however 🙂

      Reply
  16. Gord says

    September 19, 2019 at 1:17 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe as usual. I used the 1/4 cup of sugar and still found it a little too sweet for my taste. I’m thinking 1/8th cup will do the job. I used red and green peppers from my greenhouse for this as they were just ripe enough. They are so much better than store bought and made a wonderful recipe even better.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      September 20, 2019 at 8:49 am

      Sounds perfect Gord!

      Reply
  17. Michelle says

    August 1, 2019 at 9:18 am

    5 stars
    This is soo good! I’ll definitely be making this recipe again, although I only used one red capsicum, which was plenty for me.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      August 1, 2019 at 3:21 pm

      Hi Michelle, I’m so glad you loved it!

      Reply
  18. Karen L Claudino says

    April 25, 2019 at 1:51 pm

    5 stars
    Excellent! I’ve tried a couple other recipes for sweet & sour chicken, but your’s is the best. You didn’t call for carrots, and I’ve always had them in this dish so I added some along with the onions.

    Reply
  19. Diana H says

    March 1, 2019 at 6:14 am

    5 stars
    Delicious and so easy to make!! My husbands favorite dish when we order out! …No need to now!! 🙂 Thanks again!!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      March 1, 2019 at 9:58 am

      You won’t look back now, you can make it better at home! – N x

      Reply
  20. Noreen says

    February 27, 2019 at 8:38 pm

    5 stars
    I thank you so much for this recipe. Especially the sauce. I wanted to find an alternative to sauce in a jar. Now i know what needs to go in…i can make it myself. Its my daughter’s favourite.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 28, 2019 at 8:56 pm

      You’ll never look back now you can make something even better than anything jarred!

      Reply
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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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