Sweet and Sour Chicken with Fried Rice

 

Ingredients:

**For the Sweet and Sour Chicken:**

– 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

• – 1 cup cornstarch
• – 2 large eggs, beaten
• – 1/4 cup vegetable oil for frying
• – 1 red bell pepper, diced
• – 1 green bell pepper, diced
• – 1 cup pineapple chunks
• – 1/2 cup peas
• – 2 green onions, sliced
• – Sesame seeds for garnish

**For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:**

• – 1/2 cup ketchup
• – 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• – 1/4 cup soy sauce
• – 1/2 cup brown sugar
• – 1/2 cup pineapple juice (from the pineapple chunks can)
• – 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)

**For the Fried Rice:**

• – 2 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old)
• – 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• – 1 small onion, diced
• – 2 cloves garlic, minced
• – 1/2 cup peas and carrots
• – 2 large eggs, beaten
• – 3 tbsp soy sauce
• – Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. **Prepare the Sweet and Sour Chicken:**

– Coat the chicken pieces in cornstarch, then dip them in the beaten eggs.

– In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towels.

– In the same skillet, sauté the diced bell peppers for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender.

– Add the pineapple chunks and peas to the skillet and cook for another 2 minutes.

2. **Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:**

– In a bowl, whisk together the ketchup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and pineapple juice.

– Pour the sauce into the skillet with the vegetables and bring to a simmer.

– Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce has thickened.

– Add the fried chicken pieces back into the skillet and toss to coat them evenly with the sauce.

3. **Prepare the Fried Rice:**

– In a separate large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.

– Add the diced onion and cook until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

– Stir in the peas and carrots and cook for 2 minutes.

– Push the vegetables to the side of the skillet and pour the beaten eggs into the empty side. Scramble the eggs until fully cooked, then mix them with the vegetables.

– Add the cooked rice to the skillet and stir to combine. Pour the soy sauce over the rice and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. **Assemble the Dish:**

– Serve the sweet and sour chicken over the fried rice.

– Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Enjoy your homemade Sweet and Sour Chicken with Fried Rice!

Enjoy!