Prep: 30 Minutes Cook: Approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes total (3 hours on low, plus 20 minutes on high). Numbers of Serves: 5 Serves

sweet-and-sour-chicken-american-homemade-recipe

Ingredients

  • 1-1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 can (8 ounces) pineapple chunks
  • 1 can (8 ounces) sliced water chestnuts, drained
  • 2 medium carrots, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 4 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 cup sweet-and-sour sauce
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 3 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen snow peas
  • Hot cooked rice
    •

    Instructions

    1. In a large skillet, saute chicken in oil for 4-5 minutes; drain. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
    2. Drain pineapple, reserving juice; set pineapple aside.
    3. In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the chicken, water, chestnuts, carrots, soy sauce and pineapple juice.
    4. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours.
    5. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch, sweet-and-sour sauce, water and ginger until smooth.
    6. Stir into the slow cooker. Add onions and pineapple; cover and cook on high for 15 minutes or until thickened.
    7. Add peas; cook 5 minutes longer.
    8. Serve with rice.

    Yield: 5 servings


    For Nutritional And Health Benefits

    This delicious and appetizing dish not only provides the tongue with an exquisite flavor but also offers immense benefits for human health. The chicken meat it contains is an excellent source of high-quality protein, which is essential for muscle growth, repair, and strength. Additionally, vegetables like carrots and peas are packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants, which help boost the immune system and maintain sharp vision. The use of pineapple not only adds a unique sweet-tart flavor to this dish but its natural enzymes also help improve digestion and reduce inflammation. The inclusion of low-fat, fiber-rich vegetables makes this dish a balanced meal that keeps you energized for longer and plays a key role in keeping your body's systems active and healthy.

    For Pro Tips And Substitute Ingredients

    To make this traditional dish absolutely perfect and aromatic, it's essential to keep a few special things in mind. While cooking over low heat, make sure the vegetables don't overcook so that their natural crispness is preserved. A common mistake is not dissolving the starch mixture properly when adding it, which causes lumps in the gravy, so always mix it thoroughly in cold water or sauce before adding. If you want to make this dish even healthier and more nutritious, you can use a natural alternative like honey or apple cider vinegar instead of the usual white sugar–based sauce. Additionally, choose a low-sodium soy sauce so that people with high blood pressure can enjoy it, and replacing white rice with brown rice or boiled oatmeal can further increase the fiber content.

    For Serving And Storing

    This hot, aromatic dish is considered best served with boiled basmati rice, but if you wish, you can also make it the centerpiece of a meal with egg fried rice or noodles. A light mint chutney, pickled onions, and chopped green chilies really elevate its flavor. If there are any leftovers, seal them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for three to four days. When reheating, use a saucepan or frying pan over low heat instead of the microwave, and add one or two tablespoons of water or broth to keep the sauce from thickening and the vegetables tender on the inside. Heating it on low heat for a few minutes restores the vegetables' crispness and the pineapple's fresh flavor just as if it had been freshly prepared.