Sweet and Sour Skillet Dinner
Description
Experience the delightful balance of sweet and sour flavors with this quick and easy skillet dinner. This recipe, cherished for over a decade, features tender chunks of chicken, crisp vegetables, and juicy pineapple, all enveloped in a tangy sauce. Perfectly suited for busy weeknights, this dish is ready in just 30 minutes and pairs beautifully with fluffy rice.
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes
Recipe Category
One Dish Meal
Keywords
Chinese, Asian, < 30 Mins, Easy
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup carrots, sliced
- 1 large green pepper, chopped
- 1 can (about 20 ounces) pineapple chunks in juice, undrained
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
-
Prepare the Chicken: Start by cutting the boneless chicken into bite-sized pieces, ensuring they are uniform for even cooking. Heat a large pan or wok over medium-high heat, adding a small amount of oil to prevent sticking. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces. Cook, stirring frequently, until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
-
Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan with the chicken. Stir well and cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the onion to become translucent and the garlic to release its aromatic flavor.
-
Simmer the Vegetables: Stir in the sliced carrots and chopped green pepper. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to begin softening.
-
Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the pineapple chunks with their juice, white vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, cornstarch, and ground ginger. Mix well until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and the sauce is smooth.
-
Combine and Cook: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and vegetable mixture in the pan. Stir everything together to ensure that the sauce evenly coats the ingredients. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
-
Serve: Remove from heat and give the dish a final stir. Serve the sweet and sour chicken over a bed of steamed rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Pair this dish with a side of steamed broccoli or a fresh garden salad to round out your meal. For a touch of extra flavor, sprinkle some sesame seeds or chopped green onions on top before serving.
Enjoy your Sweet and Sour Skillet Dinner—an easy, flavorful meal that brings the tastes of the far East right to your table in under 30 minutes! 🍍🍗🍚
