Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe based on NeemTime research
Ingredients of Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
600 g boneless chicken breast or thigh, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tbsp homemade corn flour (finely ground dried corn)
2 tbsp all-purpose flour (freshly milled from wheat)
1 large egg
1 medium onion, cut into chunks
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (optional but traditional for sweet and sour flavor)
3 medium tomatoes, blended into puree
2 tbsp homemade sugar or powdered jaggery
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice or natural vinegar made from fermented fruit
3 tbsp homemade vegetable oil for frying and cooking
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp salt or to taste
½ cup water
Detailed Preparation Guide of Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Coating
In a bowl combine chicken pieces, corn flour, all-purpose flour, egg, salt, and black pepper.
Mix well so the chicken pieces are fully coated with the batter.
Calories: Chicken ~990 kcal, flours ~200 kcal, egg ~70 kcal
Time: 8 minutes
Step 2: Fry the Chicken
Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan and fry the coated chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through.
Remove and set aside on a plate.
Calories: Oil absorbed ~240 kcal
Time: 10 minutes
Step 3: Prepare the Sweet and Sour Sauce Base
In the same pan heat 1 tbsp oil (~120 kcal).
Add chopped garlic and onion and sauté until fragrant and slightly soft.
Calories: Onion and garlic ~50 kcal
Time: 4 minutes
Step 4: Cook the Tomato Sauce
Add blended tomatoes and cook for about 6–7 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
Stir occasionally so it does not stick.
Calories: Tomatoes ~70 kcal
Time: 7 minutes
Step 5: Add Sweet and Sour Elements
Add sugar, lemon juice, and ½ cup water to the sauce and stir well.
Cook for another 3 minutes to balance the sweet and tangy flavors.
Calories: Sugar ~90 kcal, lemon juice ~5 kcal
Time: 3 minutes
Step 6: Add Vegetables and Pineapple
Add chopped bell peppers and pineapple chunks to the sauce and cook for 3–4 minutes so they remain slightly crisp.
Calories: Bell peppers ~40 kcal, pineapple ~80 kcal
Time: 4 minutes
Step 7: Combine Chicken with Sauce
Add the fried chicken pieces to the pan and toss everything together so the chicken becomes well coated with the sauce.
Cook for another 3 minutes and then remove from heat.
Calories: Already counted
Time: 3 minutes
Total Preparation Time of Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe for 4 Persons
Preparing chicken coating: 8 minutes
Frying chicken: 10 minutes
Preparing sauce base: 4 minutes
Cooking tomato sauce: 7 minutes
Adding sweet and sour ingredients: 3 minutes
Cooking vegetables and pineapple: 4 minutes
Final mixing and serving: 3 minutes
Total preparation and cooking time: approximately 39 minutes
Total Calories of Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe and Calories Per Person
Chicken: ~990 kcal
Flour and corn flour: ~200 kcal
Egg: ~70 kcal
Oil used in cooking: ~360 kcal
Vegetables and pineapple: ~190 kcal
Sugar and lemon juice: ~95 kcal
Total calories for the entire recipe: approximately 1,905 kcal
Calories per person (4 servings): approximately 476 kcal per person