The best quick and easy recipe for Sweet & Sour Chicken! A Chinese takeout favorite that's homemade, gluten-free, paleo, and allergy-free! This healthier unfried version is made in a wok or skillet on the stove and tossed with a sweet and sticky sauce that's naturally sweet!
People are always telling me that sweet & sour chicken is their FAVORITE Chinese takeout dish. For good reason too! It's battered and deep-fried chicken, coating in that iconic reddish/orange sweet, tangy, sticky sauce that's just to die for! But, it is the healthiest? Is it gluten-free? Is it easy to make at home on a busy weeknight? No. However, we can fix that! This super easy allergy-free version of sweet & sour chicken is just the recipe you need to satisfy the craving no matter what your dietary needs are!
Homemade Sweet & Sour Sauce
Since we're not frying this chicken, the SAUCE has to be on point! This sweet & sour sauce is 6 ingredients, allergy-free, no added sugars, no oils, no soy!
- Pineapple
- Coconut Aminos
- Rice Vinegar
- Ketchup
- Garlic
- Onion Powder
Blitz those ingredients together in a blender or food processor and you'll have the BEST sweet & sour sauce! It's tangy, sweet, salty, umami; you may just want to whip up an extra batch to keep on in the fridge for other meals besides this chicken!
How to Make Sweet & Sour Chicken
Once you've made that bangin' homemade sweet & sour sauce, you just need to grab some chicken tenders, corn starch (or arrowroot for a paleo version!), and a touch of black pepper.
- Cut the chicken into 1-inch chunks and toss it in the starch and black pepper to coat.
- Add the coating chicken pieces to a hot oiled skillet and stir fry for 5 minutes.
- Pour in the prepared sweet and sour sauce, continue cooking till the sauce thickens and the chicken is cooked through for about 8-10 minutes!
Serve your sweet & sour chicken with rice and chopped scallions or cauliflower rice for a grain-free paleo meal! It's a perfect quick weeknight gluten-free dinner for the family and if you don't have a crowd to feed, don't worry! This takeout chicken makes an amazing leftover lunch option (we all know how good Chinese takeout is the next day! *hint: even better*)
Healthy Sweet & Sour Chicken
This stir-fried version uses one tablespoon of oil, no deep-frying or heavy breading is required! No refined sugars in the sauce, just the natural sugars in the pineapple! It's top 9 allergen-free, with no soy, nuts, sesame, or egg. Of course, it's also gluten-free, grain-free, and paleo, but can you even tell? You'll have to decide for yourself, but this recipe won't leave you feeling heavy and weighed down (those takeout sodium hangovers!). It's perfect a 15-minute meal for the whole family to enjoy! You can even make these sweet and sour chickpeas if you need to satisfy vegetarians!
Other Homemade Takeout Recipes:
- Classic Vegetable Fried Rice
- 10-Minute Vegetable Lo Mein
- Gluten-Free General Tso's Chicken
- Gluten-Free Orange Chicken
- Chinese Cashew Chicken
Gluten-Free Sweet & Sour Chicken
Sweet & Sour Chicken (Gluten-Free, Paleo, Allergy-Free)
The best quick and easy recipe for Sweet & Sour Chicken! A Chinese takeout favorite that's homemade, gluten-free, paleo, and allergy-free! This healthier unfried version is made in a wok or skillet on the stove and tossed with a sweet and sticky sauce that's naturally sweet!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Chicken Tenders (cut into 1-inch chunks)
- 1 TB Corn Starch (or Arrowroot Starch)
- Black Pepper (to taste)
- 1 TB Neutral Oil
Sweet & Sour Sauce
- 1 Cup Pineapple Chunks in 100% Juice
- ¼ Cup Homemade Ketchup (or a Natural Ketchup)
- 3 TB Rice Vinegar
- 2 TB Coconut Aminos
- ½ Tsp Minced Garlic
- ½ Tsp Onion Powder
Instructions
- Add al the sweet and sour sauce ingreindts to a food processor or blender and blend together until fully combined. Set aside.
- Cut your chicken tenders into 1-inch pieces and toss with the starch and pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon or a nuetral oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken to the hot skillet and stir-fry for 5 minutes.
- Pour in the prepared sauce and continue stir-frying the chicken for 8 to 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and the chicken is fully cooked through and coated in the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
Just 15 minutes and you can whip up a delicious dinner for yourself and family! Safe "fakeout" takeout that happens to be healthy and delicious too! Bonus: you can save money in the process instead of ordering out!
So tell me:
+ Are you a sweet & sour lover? Growing up we always had it when we dipped the battered and fried chicken in the sauce separately!
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Miz Helen
Sweet & Sour is the best! Can't wait to make this chicken for the fam!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Glad to hear, enjoy!
Ellen Jacobson
That looks so delicious! And you're so right about Chinese food tasting better the next day 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right? The best time to eat it...when it's not "fresh" Haha!
Toni
This will be a huge hit for dinner at my house!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I bet it would, Toni.
Briana
I'm so hungry right now I was to eat it all!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Enjoy!
Molly
This sounds SO GOOD! (And now I'm really hungry, so thanks for that...) I'll definitely be trying this soon!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Perfect for lunch then!
Nicolette Muro
This looks sooo good! I will def have to try 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Glad to hear.
Jasmine Watts
Looks yummy and healthy! Definitely perfect for my family this weekend.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
A weekend of homemade takeout sounds good!
Candice
Yum! I need gluten free dishes and this one looks amazing! Thank you!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Such an easy lunch or dinner to whip up!
Beth Ann
What a delicious looking meal! These pictures make the chicken look so tasty I am about ready to lick my screen! I can't wait to add this to my weekly meal plan! yumyumyum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you and your family enjoy!
Christa
I’ve never tried to make this at home before. It looks so good! I’m going to have to give it a try. Sweet and sour chicken is my husband’s favorite but I usually just get it from takeout. He’ll be so surprised if I make it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right? So many people love sweet and sour! Hope he enjoys!
Indya | The Small Adventurer
I love sweet and sour ANYTHING. Chicken, pork, sauce to go with chips... if it's sweet and sour, I will eat it! I do want to try eating at home more as it's just too easy (and expensive!) to eat out, so I'll have to save this recipe for a later date. It sure does sound delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That flavor combo just can't be beat!
Huda
Absolutely delicious! I have all the ingredients, I’ll make it tomorrow!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'm so glad to hear! Enjoy!
Leigh Suznovich
Love sweet and sour chicken, this version is great for my gluten and allergy free friends and family! Looks so flavorful.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Such a delicious classic!
Dorothy Reinhold
I love finding healthier homamde versions of our faves! This looks great!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Homemade takeout is always the way to go!
Susan Dubose
Wow, could this get any more delicious!? Perfect for a quick and super tasty weeknight meal- and so much better than takeout! A must-try for sure!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
100% healthier, but just as delicious!
Marissa | Marissa's Teachable Moments
This looks delicious! I need to add these ingredients to my grocery list.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It will make for a great meal!
thesharonkay
Looks delicious. Am always looking for gluten-free recipes.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
This makes for a great weeknight dinner!
Lizzy
Looks like a quick and easy dinner to whip up! Not to mention delish
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Super easy to make!
Melissa
Hi, This looks like a healthy alternative and a wonderful family meal! Unfortunately for me, I’m a vegetarian, although I know a lot of people who would appreciate putting this into their meal rotation. Thanks for sharing! I’ll pass it along!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Alright then.
Heather @ US Japan Fam
A healthy DIY sweet & sour chicken!? YASSSS! Thank you so much, looks delicious AND i think I have everything I need for this in my kitchen! Hello dinner!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Perfect! Homemade takeout will always be a winner!
Sami
Love the use of pineapple! Would love to make this.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's how you make sweet and sour sauce!
cait
your recipes always inspire and get me out of my comfort zone- my bff is gluten free and this dish is just what we need to do to make something yummy for her!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Homemade takeout is always fun to whip up!