Low Sugar Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken

Total time35 min

Prep time15 min

Cook time20 min

Golden, crisp bites of chicken get tossed in a glossy, tangy sauce built from ketchup, rice vinegar, and a splash of reserved pineapple juice, so every piece is coated in that classic sticky-sweet finish. Bell peppers add crunch and a little char, while garlic and ginger bring warmth to the mix, and juicy pineapple chunks round out the sweetness in every forkful. The chicken itself gets a light cornstarch coating before a quick pan-fry, giving you that satisfying golden crust without any deep-frying involved. Served over a bed of white rice with green onions and sesame seeds scattered on top, this comes together fast enough for a weeknight but tastes like a restaurant favorite. It's a solid pick to keep in your added sugar–conscious rotation, since the whole dish comes together from ingredients you control in your own kitchen.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the chicken

1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
Kroger Uncooked Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Foster Farms Simply Raised Simply Raised Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Fillets Simple Truth Natural Thin-Sliced Boneless and Skinless Chicken Breast Cutlets Signature Farms Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts Value Pack - 3.5 Lb PERDUE FRESH CUTS Fresh Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Strips Traypack - 1.25 Lbs
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½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
3 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp vegetable oil, divided

For the sauce

⅓ cup ketchup
¼ cup rice vinegar
3 tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp granulated sugar
Chef's tip
Use the same volume. Baking behavior varies by blend: some brown faster or stay softer, while others brown less. Follow the package's baking guidance and start checking a few minutes early.
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 can (8 oz) pineapple chunks in juice, drained, juice reserved

For the vegetables

1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated

For serving

cooked white rice, for serving
2 green onions, thinly sliced (optional)
1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

1
In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, granulated sugar, 1 tbsp cornstarch, and 1/4 cup of the reserved pineapple juice until smooth and the sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
2
Pat the chicken pieces dry, then toss them in a large bowl with the salt, black pepper, and 3 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated.

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