Sweet and Sour Chicken

I sprinkled some sesame seeds on mine

I have tried several sweet and sour chicken recipes over the years trying to find one that I really liked.  This was it!  This one is very similar to the sweet and sour chicken at my favorite Chinese restaurant.  It's really quite simple too!  And, if you are rushed for time you can substitute frozen batter-dipped chicken nuggets instead of making your own.  (just don't use the breaded ones, they're not as good with this).  Enjoy!


Sweet and Sour Chicken:


Ingredients:

CHICKEN:
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1 inch cubes
2 1/4 cups self-rising flour (No self-rising flour? Add 1/2t salt & 1 1/2t baking powder to your flour)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 egg
1 1/2 cups water
1 quart vegetable oil for frying

SAUCE:

1 (8 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained (juice reserved)
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 3/4 cups water, divided
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
2 drops orange food color  (or you can use 2 red and 1 yellow to make orange)
2 green bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces

Directions:

1. Combine flour, 2 tablespoons oil, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, salt, white pepper, and egg. Add 1 1/2 cups water gradually to make a thick batter. Stir to blend thoroughly. Add chicken pieces, and stir until chicken is well coated.
2. Heat oil in skillet or wok to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C). Fry chicken pieces in hot oil 10 minutes, or until golden. Remove chicken, and drain on paper towels. 
3. For the sweet and sour sauce, combine 1 1/2 cups water, sugar, vinegar, reserved pineapple juice, and orange food coloring in a saucepan. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low. Combine 1/4 cup cornstarch and 1/4 cup water in a cup; slowly stir into saucepan. Continue stirring until mixture thickens.  Stir in pineapple chunks and bell pepper.  Remove from heat.
4. When ready to serve pour hot sweet and sour sauce over chicken on plate.  Serve with rice. 

I served my sweet and sour chicken with pork-fried rice and egg drop soup