Sweet and Sour Chicken with Fried Rice

Ingredients

For the Sweet and Sour Chicken:
– 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
– 1 cup cornstarch
– 2 large eggs, beaten
– 1/4 cup vegetable oil for frying
– 1 red bell pepper, diced
– 1 green bell pepper, diced
– 1 cup pineapple chunks
– 1/2 cup peas
– 2 green onions, sliced
– Sesame seeds for garnish

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
– 1/2 cup ketchup
– 1/4 cup rice vinegar
– 1/4 cup soy sauce
– 1/2 cup brown sugar
– 1/2 cup pineapple juice (from the pineapple chunks can)
– 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (slurry)

For the Fried Rice:
– 2 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old)
– 2 tbsp vegetable oil
– 1 small onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1/2 cup peas and carrots
– 2 large eggs, beaten
– 3 tbsp soy sauce
– Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Prepare the Sweet and Sour Chicken:
   – Coat the chicken pieces in cornstarch, then dip them in the beaten eggs.
   – In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towels.
   – In the same skillet, sauté the diced bell peppers for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender.
   – Add the pineapple chunks and peas to the skillet and cook for another 2 minutes.
2. Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
   – In a bowl, whisk together the ketchup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, and pineapple juice.
   – Pour the sauce into the skillet with the vegetables and bring to a simmer.
   – Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce has thickened.
   – Add the fried chicken pieces back into the skillet and toss to coat them evenly with the sauce.
3. Prepare the Fried Rice:
   – In a separate large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
   – Add the diced onion and cook until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
   – Stir in the peas and carrots and cook for 2 minutes.
   – Push the vegetables to the side of the skillet and pour the beaten eggs into the empty side. Scramble the eggs until fully cooked, then mix them with the vegetables.
   – Add the cooked rice to the skillet and stir to combine. Pour the soy sauce over the rice and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Assemble the Dish:
   – Serve the sweet and sour chicken over the fried rice.
   – Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Enjoy your homemade Sweet and Sour Chicken with Fried Rice!