Sweet and Sour Chicken with Fried Rice

Here’s a detailed recipe for Sweet and Sour Chicken with Fried Rice, broken into two parts:

1. Sweet and Sour Chicken
2. Fried Rice

---

🥡 Sweet and Sour Chicken

🍗 Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 500g (1 lb) boneless chicken breast or thigh, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil for deep frying

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
• 1/3 cup brown sugar (adjust to taste)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (for slurry)
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice (from canned pineapple)
• 1/2 cup water

Optional Add-ins:

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup canned pineapple chunks

---

🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Prepare and Fry the Chicken

1. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
2. Set up dredging station: Place cornstarch in one bowl and beaten eggs in another.
3. Dredge each chicken piece in cornstarch, then dip in egg, and set aside.
4. Heat oil in a deep skillet or wok (~350°F / 175°C).
5. Fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden and crispy (~3-4 minutes per batch). Drain on paper towels.

---

Step 2: Make the Sauce

1. In a saucepan or wok, combine:
   • Ketchup
   • Vinegar
   • Brown sugar
   • Soy sauce
   • Pineapple juice
   • Water
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
3. Add bell peppers, onions, and pineapple chunks (if using) and cook for ~5 minutes until slightly tender.
4. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer until thickened (~1-2 minutes).

---

Step 3: Combine

• Add the crispy chicken pieces to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
• Serve immediately with hot fried rice.

---

🍚 Fried Rice

🍽 Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked rice (preferably cold and day-old)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots (optional)
• 2–3 tbsp soy sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional for umami)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
• Sesame oil (a few drops for finish, optional)

---

🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the rice: Break up any clumps if using leftover rice.
2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Scramble the eggs until just cooked. Remove and set aside.
4. Add remaining oil, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
5. Add peas and carrots; stir-fry until heated through.
6. Add rice, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Stir-fry everything together, pressing rice down to get it slightly crispy.
7. Return the eggs to the pan and mix well.
8. Season with salt, pepper, and a few drops of sesame oil if desired.
9. Garnish with green onions.

---

🥢 Serving Suggestion

Plate a generous scoop of fried rice and top or serve alongside the sweet and sour chicken. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds.

---

Would you like a vegetarian version or a simplified 30-minute version of this?