🍊 Sweet & Sour Crispy Chicken

Servings: 3–4
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes

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🧺 Ingredients

Chicken

• 500 g (1 lb) chicken breast or thigh, cut into bite-size pieces

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Batter & frying

• ½ cup cornstarch

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• 1 egg

• ½ cup cold water

• Vegetable oil, for frying

Vegetables

• 1 small onion, thinly sliced

• 1 medium carrot, julienned

• 2 green onions, cut into strips

Sweet & sour sauce

• ½ cup ketchup

• ¼ cup sugar

• ¼ cup rice vinegar (or white vinegar)

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon chili sauce (optional)

• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

• 2 tablespoons water

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken

1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

2. Set aside for 5–10 minutes.

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2. Make the batter

1. In a bowl, whisk together cornstarch, flour, egg, and cold water.

2. The batter should be smooth and slightly thick.

3. Add chicken pieces and coat evenly.

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3. Fry the chicken

1. Heat oil to 170–175°C / 340–350°F.

2. Fry chicken in batches for 4–5 minutes until golden and crispy.

3. Remove and drain on paper towels.

(Optional extra-crispy step: Fry again for 1–2 minutes.)

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4. Make the sauce

1. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water.

2. In a pan over medium heat, combine:

   • Ketchup

   • Sugar

   • Vinegar

   • Soy sauce

   • Chili sauce

3. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.

4. Add cornstarch slurry and cook until thick and glossy.

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5. Toss everything together

1. Add onion, carrot, and green onions to the sauce.

2. Stir for 30–60 seconds until slightly softened.

3. Add fried chicken and toss quickly until evenly coated.

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🍽️ Serving

• Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

• Garnish with extra green onions or sesame seeds.

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💡 Pro Tips

• Keep the sauce glossy by tossing chicken right before serving.

• Add pineapple chunks for a classic sweet-sour twist.

• Works great with shrimp or tofu as well.