The crispy chicken with sweet and sour sauce is a simple and quick second course to prepare, perfect for bringing a tasty and enveloping recipe to the table. The contrast between the crunchiness of the chicken and the sweetness of the sauce makes this dish particularly delicious, while still being easy to prepare: indeed, it’s really easy to make and in just a few minutes.
The chicken is also very light as it doesn’t even require frying, as it is cooked in the air fryer or in the oven. Alternatively, for those who prefer the traditional version, it can also be fried in oil. The sweet and sour sauce is prepared literally in two minutes: just a few ingredients and the result will win everyone over. Below you will find all the cooking variations with precise times and instructions to choose the method that suits your needs best.
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- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients
- 15 oz chicken breast
- 2 eggs
- to taste spicy paprika
- to taste salt
- to taste unsweetened cornflakes
- to taste extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tbsp ketchup
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- to taste chili powder
- to taste sesame seeds
Tools
- Air Fryer
Steps
Start by cutting the chicken breast into thick strips, to get pieces similar to strips but slightly larger, ideal for maintaining a juicy texture during cooking. Transfer them to a large bowl and season with salt and spicy paprika (or smoked or sweet, according to your taste). Mix well so that the spices are evenly distributed.
In another bowl, beat two eggs, then dip each piece of chicken first in the egg and then in the crushed cornflakes (unsweetened), or alternatively, in breadcrumbs if you prefer a more traditional breading.
Place the breaded pieces in the basket of the air fryer, add a light spray of oil and cook at 375°F for about 12–14 minutes, adjusting the time based on the thickness of the chicken. Alternatively, you can cook the chicken in a static oven at 390°F for about 20–25 minutes, or opt for classic frying: immerse the pieces in plenty of hot sunflower seed oil and fry for about 10 minutes or until they are golden and crispy.
In the meantime, prepare the sweet and sour sauce: in a non-stick pan, combine ketchup, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and chili powder (optional). Mix and heat everything over low flame for about a minute. Separately, dissolve the cornstarch in a little water, then add it to the mixture in the pan. Continue to stir for another minute of cooking: the sauce will thicken quickly. Once ready, transfer it to a small bowl and top with sesame seeds.
All that remains is to brush the chicken with the sweet and sour sauce, and add more sesame seeds as decoration if desired. Serve hot (or warm) and enjoy this crispy chicken with sweet and sour sauce. Bon appétit!
Tips for You
• Chicken Cutting: For the best result, choose a compact and uniform chicken breast. Cut it into similar pieces to ensure even cooking. Avoid pieces that are too thin to prevent them from drying out.
• Lighter Breading: If you prefer an even lighter version, you can replace cornflakes with whole-wheat breadcrumbs or Japanese panko, which still provides good crunchiness.
• Sweet and Sour Sauce: The sauce thickens very quickly, so we recommend stirring constantly and keeping the flame low to avoid burning or over-thickening. You can store it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, covered.
• Variations: You can enrich the dish with toasted sesame seeds or fresh scallion sliced into rounds. It’s also great served with basmati rice or sautéed vegetables.
• Substitutions: If you don’t have honey or prefer plant-based alternatives, you can use maple syrup or agave syrup in the same quantities. Regarding cornstarch, it can be replaced with potato starch, always dissolved first in a little cold water, to avoid lumps and ensure a smooth sauce consistency.
• To cook the chicken, I used the Cosori Dual Blaze Air Fryer with 6.4 liters and dual heating. You can find it here: air fryer.
Don’t miss the latest recipe of 👉 sliced steak cooked in air fryer: discover all my tricks for perfect cooking!
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