Breaded Chinese Chicken Recipe
Craving take-out? This Sweet and Sour Chinese Chicken is your go-to solution! It’s a budget-friendly meal that’s ready in just 20 minutes. With only a few ingredients and a total cook time under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for when you want something quick and delicious.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts cut into 1-2" pieces
For the Batter:
- 1/4 cup Self-rising flour
- 1/4 cup Cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Sugar
- 1/2 cup Water
For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup Vinegar rice vinegar preferred, but white works too
- 1/2 cup Water
- 3 tbsp Ketchup
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
Instructions
- Prep the Deep Fryer: Preheat your deep fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Make the Batter: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, sugar, and water until smooth. The batter will be thin, which is perfect for creating a crispy coating.
- Fry the Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the batter, then carefully place them in the hot fryer. Fry for 7-8 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with all the chicken.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine sugar, vinegar, and water. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. In a separate bowl, mix the ketchup and cornstarch. Add this mixture to the saucepan once the sugar has dissolved. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Once the sauce thickens and bubbles, remove from heat and let cool.
Notes
- Batter Consistency: The batter is supposed to be thin; it sticks well to the chicken and gets crispy when fried.
- Serving Suggestion: For the best texture, serve the sweet and sour sauce on the side rather than pouring it over the breaded chicken. This way, the chicken stays crispy.
- Chicken Size: Cut your chicken into larger pieces (about 2 inches) for that classic take-out size.