Description
This Breaded Chinese Chicken recipe features tender chicken pieces coated in a crispy batter and fried to golden perfection, then tossed in a tangy and sweet homemade sauce. Perfect for a delicious and easy Chinese-inspired meal that can be enjoyed at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Batter
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into 1–2 inch pieces
- 1/4 cup self-rising flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Sauce
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup vinegar (rice vinegar preferred, white vinegar acceptable)
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Prep the Deep Fryer: Preheat your deep fryer to 375°F (190°C) ensuring the oil reaches the ideal temperature for frying the chicken to a crispy golden brown.
- Make the Batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the self-rising flour, cornstarch, salt, sugar, and water until you achieve a smooth, thin batter that’s perfect for creating a crispy coating on the chicken pieces.
- Fry the Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the batter thoroughly, then carefully place them into the hot oil. Fry for 7-8 minutes or until the chicken pieces turn golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. Repeat until all chicken pieces are fried.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine sugar, vinegar, and water and heat over medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves. In a separate small bowl, mix the ketchup and cornstarch to form a smooth slurry. Add this ketchup mixture to the saucepan, bring the sauce to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until it thickens and bubbles. Remove from heat and let the sauce cool slightly before tossing with the fried chicken or serving on the side.
Notes
- Rice vinegar is preferred for the sauce to achieve authentic flavor, but white vinegar can be substituted if necessary.
- Ensure the batter consistency is thin enough to make a light, crispy coating on the chicken.
- Drain fried chicken on paper towels to prevent sogginess.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
- Adjust sugar in the sauce according to taste for sweetness preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Deep Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 150g)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: breaded chicken, Chinese chicken, crispy chicken, sweet and sour sauce, fried chicken, homemade Chinese recipe
