Welcome back to our Box the Lunch family! Today, we’re bringing the sunshine into your kitchen with our Sweet and Sour Pineapple Chicken recipe. This dish marries traditional Chinese flavours with a tropical flair and promises to transform your regular meal into a culinary fiesta. So, get ready to cook with us and savour the vibrant, deliciously balanced flavours in every bite. Let’s dive into the recipe, shall we?
This sweet and sour chicken recipe, with its tropical pineapple twist, brings together succulent chicken breast, fresh vegetables, and a homemade sauce that hits all the right flavour notes. Here’s everything you’ll need to create this delectable dish:
Ingredients:
- 2 large chicken breasts
For the chicken marinade:
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 medium-sized egg
- 10 tbsp cornstarch
For the sauce:
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 1 can of pineapple (567g) with juice
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 1 onion, diced
Instructions:
- Begin by marinating the chicken. Dice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, mix the chicken with the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, soy sauce, and egg. Allow this mixture to marinate for about 15-20 minutes.
- While the chicken is soaking up all those flavours, prepare the vegetables. Dice the onion and peppers into 2-3cm cubes, mince the ginger and garlic, and separate the pineapple pieces from the juice.
- Stir-fry the onions and peppers over medium heat until they soften slightly. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Now, it’s time for the magic – the sauce. Sauté the minced ginger and garlic in some oil until fragrant. Then, stir in the paprika, rice vinegar, maple syrup, and soy sauce. Slowly add the pineapple juice, letting the sauce simmer and thicken slightly. Toss in the pineapple chunks and sautéed vegetables.
- Add cornstarch to the marinated chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated. This will result in a crispy finish after frying.
- Heat a generous amount of oil in a separate pan or wok and cook the marinated chicken until golden brown and thoroughly cooked. (6 – 8 minutes)
- Drain the excess oil from the chicken and combine it with the sauce and vegetables. Let the mixture simmer to let the flavours mingle.
- Taste your creation and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve this scrumptious sweet and sour pineapple chicken with steamed rice or your side dish of choice.
Tips:
- For an even more authentic taste, consider using Chinese rice vinegar.
- Substitute maple syrup with honey or brown sugar if necessary.
- You can use all-purpose flour if you don’t have cornstarch.
- To make the chicken extra crispy, consider using a combination of cornstarch and egg before frying.
- Complement this dish with your preferred side dishes, such as steamed rice, noodles, or sautéed vegetables.
Voilà! Enjoy the heavenly balance of sweet and sour in this delightful sweet-and-sour pineapple chicken dish. The combination of tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a sauce bursting with flavour will undoubtedly satisfy your palate.
If you haven’t seen our Soy Garlic Salmon, we must insist you do! You can find this recipe here: https://boxthelunch.com/soy-garlic-salmon/.
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