Sweet & Sour Cherry Chicken with Pepper Delight

Sweet and Sour Pepper-Cherry Chicken 🍗🍒

Description

Tender chicken breast strips are pan-fried to golden perfection and enveloped in a tantalizing sweet and sour cherry sauce. This unique and flavorful dish is ideal for a satisfying lunch or snack, and pairs beautifully with steamed rice. Garnish with fresh green onion slices for a pop of color and a hint of freshness.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 5 tablespoons cornstarch, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups dark sweet cherries, pitted and halved
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 bunch green onions, sliced

Instructions

1. Prepare the Coating:
   In a plastic zipper bag, combine 1/4 cup of cornstarch, onion powder, black pepper, and allspice. Shake well to mix the ingredients thoroughly.

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2. Coat the Chicken:
   Dip the chicken strips into the beaten egg, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Then, transfer the chicken to the bag with the cornstarch mixture. Shake the bag to coat the chicken strips evenly with the seasoned cornstarch.

3. Pan-Fry the Chicken:
   Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a splash of oil if necessary, and cook the coated chicken strips until they are golden brown and cooked through, about 10 minutes in total. Turn the strips once during cooking to ensure even browning.

4. Prepare the Cherry Sauce:
   While the chicken is frying, in a medium saucepan, combine the cherry syrup (from the cherry jar), 1/4 cup of water, sugar, white vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat.

5. Thicken the Sauce:
   In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with a small amount of water to create a slurry. This step is crucial for achieving a smooth, lump-free sauce. Once mixed, add the slurry to the boiling syrup mixture.

6. Simmer the Sauce:
   Continue to simmer the mixture, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Stir in the dark sweet cherries and heat through.

7. Combine and Garnish:
   Pour the sweet and sour cherry sauce over the cooked chicken strips. Garnish with sliced green onions for a fresh, vibrant touch.

8. Serve:
   Serve the sweet and sour pepper-cherry chicken hot over a bed of steamed rice. Enjoy the delightful balance of sweet, sour, and peppery flavors in every bite!

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 593.8
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 5.8g
• Cholesterol: 167.3mg
• Sodium: 512.4mg
• Carbohydrates: 56.1g
• Fiber: 2.7g
• Sugar: 38.1g
• Protein: 35g

Serving Size

This recipe yields 3 servings, making it perfect for a small family meal or for enjoying as a hearty snack.

Tips

• For extra crunch, try adding a handful of toasted sesame seeds as a garnish.
• You can substitute the dark sweet cherries with fresh cherries if they are in season.
• Adjust the level of sweetness and sourness by varying the amount of sugar and vinegar to suit your taste preferences.

Enjoy your delicious and unique Sweet and Sour Pepper-Cherry Chicken! 🍽️🌟