BAKED SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN!

🍗 Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken

Serves

4–6

Time

• Prep: 20 minutes

• Bake: 45 minutes

🥩 Chicken Ingredients

• 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cubed

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

Coating

• 1 cup cornstarch

• 2 large eggs, beaten

• ¼ cup vegetable oil (for baking dish)

🍯 Sweet & Sour Sauce Ingredients

• ¾ cup sugar

• ½ cup ketchup

• ½ cup apple cider vinegar

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp garlic powder

Optional Add-Ins

• 1 cup pineapple chunks

• 1 bell pepper, chunked

• ½ onion, chunked

🔥 Instructions

1. Preheat oven

• Preheat to 325°F (165°C).

• Pour oil into a 9×13-inch baking dish.

• Place dish in oven to heat while prepping chicken.

2. Coat the chicken

1. Season chicken with salt & pepper.

2. Toss chicken in cornstarch until fully coated.

3. Dip into beaten eggs, shaking off excess.

3. Bake – round 1

• Carefully remove hot dish.

• Place chicken evenly in the oil.

• Bake uncovered 30 minutes, flipping once after 15 minutes.

4. Make the sauce

• Whisk sugar, ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic powder.

5. Bake – round 2

1. Pour sauce evenly over chicken.

2. Add pineapple, peppers, and onion if using.

3. Return to oven and bake 15 minutes, stirring once.

6. Serve

• Serve hot over steamed rice or fried rice

• Garnish with sesame seeds or green onions if you’re feeling fancy ✨

❓ Q & A

Q: Why bake at 325°F instead of higher?

Lower heat:

• Keeps chicken tender

• Prevents sauce from burning

• Allows that glossy, sticky finish

Q: Can I use chicken thighs?

Absolutely.

• Juicier

• Same cooking time

Q: Can I make it less sweet?

Yes!

• Reduce sugar to ½ cup

• Add 1 tbsp extra vinegar for more tang

Q: Can I make it gluten-free?

It already is, just:

• Use gluten-free soy sauce (tamari)

Q: Can I prep this ahead?

Yes.

• Coat chicken and refrigerate up to 8 hours

• Bake when ready

Q: Can I air fry this?

Kind of 😅
Best method:

• Air fry chicken pieces at 380°F for 10–12 min

• Toss with warm sauce after baking sauce separately

Q: Why isn’t my chicken crispy?

Common reasons:

• Overcrowded pan

• Oil not hot

• Sauce added too early