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Homemade Lighter Sweet and Sour Chicken photo

Lighter Sweet and Sour Chicken

A lighter take on classic sweet and sour chicken with a tangy sauce and tender chicken pieces.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 5 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 tsp extra light olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 Tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 Tbsp peeled, minced ginger
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth divided
  • 2 Tbsp low-sodium chicken broth divided (the 2 Tbsp is the remainder)
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 3 Tbsp honey
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp packed brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 tsp oyster sauce
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch for sauce slurry
  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast diced into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch for coating chicken
  • 2 large egg whites
  • salt to taste; 1/2 tsp used in chicken mix
  • white or black pepper to taste; 1/4 tsp used in chicken mix
  • 2 Tbsp extra light olive oil or vegetable oil for cooking chicken (1 Tbsp per batch)
  • 2 tsp extra light olive oil or vegetable oil for sautéing vegetables
  • 1 1/2 bell peppers diced into 3/4-inch pieces
  • 1 small yellow onion diced into 3/4-inch pieces
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh or canned pineapple chunks drain if using canned

Equipment

  • Small Saucepan
  • Small Bowl
  • large non-stick sauté pan
  • Large Skillet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Spatula or tongs

Method
 

  1. Make the sauce: Heat 1/2 tsp oil in a small saucepan over medium heat; add minced garlic and minced ginger and sauté 30 seconds.
  2. Remove the pan from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chicken broth, rice vinegar, honey, brown sugar, tomato paste, soy sauce, and oyster sauce; season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Whisk the remaining 2 Tbsp chicken broth with 1 Tbsp cornstarch in a small bowl, then return the mixture to the saucepan and bring to a boil, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 1 minute; remove from heat and set aside.
  4. Prepare the chicken: In a mixing bowl whisk together 1/4 cup cornstarch, 2 large egg whites, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper until slightly frothy; add diced chicken and toss to coat evenly.
  5. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large non-stick sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add half the coated chicken in a single layer and cook, turning occasionally, until cooked through and golden on the outside, about 7 minutes; transfer to a plate.
  6. Add the remaining 1 Tbsp oil and cook the remaining chicken the same way, then return all cooked chicken to the plate.
  7. While the chicken cooks, heat 2 tsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add diced bell peppers and onion and sauté until tender, about 6–8 minutes, adding pineapple during the last minute.
  8. Add the cooked chicken and vegetable–pineapple mixture to the sauté pan (or combine in the large skillet), pour the prepared sauce over everything, and toss to coat evenly and heat through.
  9. Serve warm over white or brown rice.

Notes

  • Use low-sodium broth to control saltiness.
  • Drain canned pineapple to avoid thinning the sauce.
  • Cook chicken in batches to avoid crowding the pan.
  • Adjust honey or sugar to taste for sweetness.