Sweet and Sour Chicken with Fried Rice

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

Instructions:

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!