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Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe

Featured in Fast Food at Home.

This Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe is crispy, colorful, and full of bold flavors. Tender chicken is coated in a light crispy batter, then tossed in a homemade sauce made with ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and juicy pineapple. Quick to prepare and even quicker to disappear from the plate, it’s the perfect choice for a weeknight fakeaway meal. Serve it over boiled or egg-fried rice, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and enjoy a family favorite that rivals any takeout version!
Soo Ben
Updated on Fri, 25 Apr 2025 23:18:05 GMT
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Sweet and Sour Chicken | mamamiakitchen.com

Creamy Broccoli & Bacon is a true celebration of simple ingredients coming together to create something unforgettable. With tender broccoli, crispy bacon, and a luscious garlic parmesan cream sauce, this side dish feels indulgent without being heavy. It’s one of those recipes you’ll keep returning to, whether you’re making a quick weeknight meal or putting together a festive holiday table.

This creamy broccoli side dish is one of those recipes that makes even reluctant vegetable eaters ask for seconds. It’s warm, comforting, and surprisingly easy to throw together on a busy evening.

Essential Ingredients and Why They Matter

  • Bacon: Adds smoky, savory crunch to the dish. A little goes a long way to flavor the entire skillet.
  • Butter: Provides richness and helps saute the vegetables.
  • Garlic: Brings aromatic depth that lifts the creamy sauce.
  • Heavy Cream: The luxurious base of the sauce. Light cream can be used with a cornstarch slurry if you prefer.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully over the top for that gooey finish.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, nutty flavor to balance the richness.
  • Broccoli Florets: Fresh is best, but frozen can work if thawed and drained well.

If you want to change it up, swap mozzarella for Gruyere or provolone—the creamy broccoli bake turns out extra decadent.

Quick Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe You'll Love Pin it
Quick Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe You'll Love | mamamiakitchen.com

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Fry the Bacon
In a large oven-safe skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving a little bacon fat in the pan.
Step 2: Saute the Aromatics
Add a small amount of butter to the skillet. Saute diced onion (optional) and minced garlic until fragrant, about 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits.
Step 3: Cook the Broccoli
Add broccoli florets to the skillet. Stir to coat in the butter and garlic. Cook for 2–3 minutes for crisp-tender broccoli, or longer if you prefer it softer.
Step 4: Add the Cream and Bacon
Pour in the cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in the cooked bacon. Let it simmer gently for 2–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
Step 5: Top with Cheese and Broil
Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan evenly over the skillet. Broil for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.

My personal favorite way to serve this is with garlic butter roast chicken or even spooned over a baked potato for a cozy, comforting meal.

Serving Ideas & Pairings

Serve creamy garlic parmesan broccoli & bacon recipe alongside roast beef, garlic herb pork, or seared salmon. It also makes a beautiful side for vegetarian plates or holiday spreads. A slice of crusty no-knead bread makes the perfect companion to soak up every bit of sauce.

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating Tips

  • Make-Ahead: Assemble and refrigerate before the broil step.
  • Fridge Storage: Keeps for 3–4 days in an airtight container.
  • Reheat: Gently reheat in the oven or stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of cream if needed to loosen the sauce.

Recipe Variations & Twists

  • Turn it into broccoli and bacon pasta by tossing it with cooked fettuccine or penne.
  • Make it a broccoli bacon pasta Jamie Oliver style with lemon zest and chili flakes.
  • Swap bacon for pancetta or turkey bacon for different flavors.
Super Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe! Pin it
Super Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe! | mamamiakitchen.com

Whether you're looking for a simple creamed broccoli recipe or a creamy broccoli side dish that steals the show, this one is sure to become a favorite. Rich, hearty, and full of cheesy goodness, it's an irresistible way to get more greens on the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs work well and stay extra juicy after frying.
→ Is it necessary to coat the chicken in three stages?
For best crispiness, yes. Cornflour, egg, and seasoned flour give the perfect crunch.
→ Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?
Definitely! Make it ahead and reheat gently when ready to serve.
→ Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?
You can bake, but frying gives the classic crispy texture.
→ How can I make it less sweet?
Reduce the amount of brown sugar to your taste when making the sauce.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Crispy chicken with a homemade sweet and sour sauce, ready in 25 minutes.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes
By: Sou

Category: Quick Meals

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Asian

Yield: 4 Servings (4 servings)

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Chicken Coating

01 5 tablespoons vegetable oil
02 2 eggs, lightly beaten
03 3 tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch)
04 90 g (¾ cup) plain flour (all-purpose flour)
05 ½ teaspoon salt
06 ½ teaspoon pepper
07 ½ teaspoon garlic salt
08 2 teaspoons paprika
09 3 skinless chicken breast fillets, chopped into bite-size chunks

→ Sauce

10 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
11 1 large onion, peeled and chopped into large chunks
12 1 red pepper, chopped into 1-inch pieces
13 1 green pepper, chopped into 1-inch pieces
14 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped/crushed
15 1 teaspoon minced ginger
16 150 ml (⅔ cup) tomato ketchup
17 2 tablespoons malt vinegar
18 6 tablespoons dark brown muscovado sugar
19 475 g (17 oz) canned pineapple chunks in juice

→ To Serve

20 Egg fried rice or boiled rice
21 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Instructions

Step 01

Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan until very hot. Prepare three shallow bowls: one with beaten eggs, one with cornflour, and one with flour mixed with salt, pepper, garlic salt, and paprika.

Step 02

Dredge chicken pieces in cornflour, then dip in egg, then dredge in seasoned flour. Repeat until all pieces are coated.

Step 03

Fry the coated chicken in the hot oil for 6–7 minutes, turning until browned and cooked through. Remove and drain on kitchen towels.

Step 04

In a separate large pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high. Add onion and peppers; cook for 3 minutes. Add garlic and ginger; cook for 1 minute.

Step 05

Stir in ketchup, malt vinegar, brown sugar, and pineapple (with juice). Bring to a boil, then simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 06

Transfer crispy chicken into the sauce and toss gently to coat.

Step 07

Serve hot over boiled or egg fried rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.

Notes

  1. Slice open the largest chicken piece to ensure no pink remains inside.
  2. You can prepare the sauce while the chicken is frying to save time.
  3. For extra crunch, fry chicken in smaller batches if needed.
  4. Use canned pineapple with juice for maximum flavor.
  5. Goes great with simple steamed vegetables or a green salad on the side.

Tools You'll Need

  • Wok or large frying pan
  • Large skillet or frying pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Kitchen tongs or spatula

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Eggs
  • Gluten (flour)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 634
  • Total Fat: 26 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 78 g
  • Protein: 26 g