Description
Crispy Oven-Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken delivers a perfect balance of tangy flavors and golden-brown crunch. Homemade comfort meets restaurant-quality deliciousness, offering you a healthier alternative to deep-fried classics that satisfies without compromise.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb (454 grams) chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Coating and Binding:
- 1/2 cup (64 grams) cornstarch
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce and Flavor Ingredients:
- 1 cup (200 grams) sugar
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) distilled white vinegar
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) ketchup
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) vegetable oil
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 325°F and lightly lubricating a spacious baking vessel to prevent sticking.
- Meticulously season chicken fragments with salt and pepper, then generously dust with cornstarch, creating a crisp protective layer before immersing each morsel into whisked eggs for complete coverage.
- Activate a large skillet with vegetable oil at medium-high temperature, carefully introducing chicken portions in strategic batches to achieve a golden-brown exterior, approximately 2-3 minutes per side without fully cooking the protein.
- Carefully relocate the seared chicken fragments into the prepared baking receptacle, arranging them in a single layer for uniform cooking.
- Craft the signature sweet and sour elixir by thoroughly blending sugar, distilled white vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder until achieving a harmonious, smooth consistency.
- Generously cascade the vibrant sauce across the chicken, ensuring comprehensive and even coverage of each piece.
- Position the baking dish in the preheated oven, leaving uncovered and rotating the chicken every quarter-hour to promote sauce thickening and consistent flavor distribution during the one-hour roasting process.
- Present the glazed chicken atop fluffy rice or alongside steamed vegetable medley for a complete, tantalizing culinary experience.
Notes
- Achieve a golden, crispy exterior by thoroughly coating chicken in cornstarch before frying, which creates a perfect texture that locks in moisture.
- Control oil temperature when browning chicken to prevent burning and ensure even, light golden coloration for optimal flavor and appearance.
- Modify sauce sweetness by adjusting sugar levels or substituting with honey or agave for a healthier alternative that suits different dietary preferences.
- Enhance dish versatility by using gluten-free cornstarch and tamari sauce to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 75 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg