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Home » Main Dish » Sweet & Sour Chicken (Gluten-Free, Paleo, Allergy-Free)

Sweet & Sour Chicken (Gluten-Free, Paleo, Allergy-Free)

Published: Jul 29, 2019 by Rebecca Pytell · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe

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!

bowl of sweet & sour chicken with text overlay

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!

overhead shot of sweet & sour chicken in bowl

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!

chopsticks picking up sweet & sour chicken from bowl

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*)

sweet & sour chicken with rice in a bowl

Healthy Sweet & Sour Chicken

This stir-fried version uses one tablespoon of oil, no deep-frying or heavy breading required! No refined sugars in the sauce, just the natural sugars in the pineapple! It's top allergen-free, 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 15 minutes meal for the whole family to enjoy!

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

centered overhead view of sweet & sour chicken in a bowl with rice and scallions

Print

Sweet & Sour Chicken (Gluten-Free, Paleo, Allergy-Free)

chopsticks picking up sweet & sour chicken from bowl
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 6 reviews

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!

  • Author: Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  • 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

Scale
  • 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

  1. Add al the sweet and sour sauce ingreindts to a food processor or blender and blend together until fully combined. Set aside.
  2. Cut your chicken tenders into 1-inch pieces and toss with the starch and pepper.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon or a nuetral oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
  4. Add the chicken to the hot skillet and stir-fry for 5 minutes.
  5. 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

Keywords: sweet and sour, Chinese, quick, easy, stir-fry, stir-fry chicken, paleo, grain-free, gluten-free, allergy-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, nut-free, peanut-free, fish-free, sesame-free, kid-friendly

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @rebeccagf666 on Instagram and hashtag it #strengthandsunshine

collage image of sweet & sour chicken

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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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Miz Helen

    August 03, 2019 at 8:05 pm

    Sweet & Sour is the best! Can't wait to make this chicken for the fam!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      August 04, 2019 at 6:43 am

      Glad to hear, enjoy!

      Reply
  2. Ellen Jacobson

    August 03, 2019 at 7:29 am

    That looks so delicious! And you're so right about Chinese food tasting better the next day 🙂

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      August 03, 2019 at 7:38 am

      Right? The best time to eat it...when it's not "fresh" Haha!

      Reply
  3. Toni

    August 01, 2019 at 8:53 pm

    This will be a huge hit for dinner at my house!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      August 02, 2019 at 7:31 am

      I bet it would, Toni.

      Reply
  4. Briana

    July 31, 2019 at 8:22 pm

    I'm so hungry right now I was to eat it all!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      August 01, 2019 at 7:49 am

      Enjoy!

      Reply
  5. Molly

    July 31, 2019 at 12:18 pm

    This sounds SO GOOD! (And now I'm really hungry, so thanks for that...) I'll definitely be trying this soon!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      July 31, 2019 at 12:45 pm

      Perfect for lunch then!

      Reply
  6. Nicolette Muro

    July 31, 2019 at 11:49 am

    This looks sooo good! I will def have to try 🙂

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      July 31, 2019 at 11:59 am

      Glad to hear.

      Reply
  7. Jasmine Watts

    July 31, 2019 at 7:43 am

    Looks yummy and healthy! Definitely perfect for my family this weekend.

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      July 31, 2019 at 10:47 am

      A weekend of homemade takeout sounds good!

      Reply
  8. Candice

    July 30, 2019 at 11:12 am

    Yum! I need gluten free dishes and this one looks amazing! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      July 30, 2019 at 11:52 am

      Such an easy lunch or dinner to whip up!

      Reply
  9. Beth Ann

    July 30, 2019 at 10:24 am

    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!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      July 30, 2019 at 11:52 am

      I hope you and your family enjoy!

      Reply
  10. Christa

    July 30, 2019 at 9:37 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      July 30, 2019 at 11:52 am

      Right? So many people love sweet and sour! Hope he enjoys!

      Reply
  11. Indya | The Small Adventurer

    July 30, 2019 at 6:18 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      July 30, 2019 at 7:12 am

      That flavor combo just can't be beat!

      Reply
  12. Huda

    July 30, 2019 at 1:06 am

    Absolutely delicious! I have all the ingredients, I’ll make it tomorrow!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      July 30, 2019 at 7:12 am

      I'm so glad to hear! Enjoy!

      Reply
  13. Leigh Suznovich

    July 30, 2019 at 12:06 am

    Love sweet and sour chicken, this version is great for my gluten and allergy free friends and family! Looks so flavorful.

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      July 30, 2019 at 7:12 am

      Such a delicious classic!

      Reply
  14. Dorothy Reinhold

    July 29, 2019 at 10:13 pm

    I love finding healthier homamde versions of our faves! This looks great!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      July 30, 2019 at 7:11 am

      Homemade takeout is always the way to go!

      Reply
  15. Susan Dubose

    July 29, 2019 at 10:06 pm

    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!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      July 30, 2019 at 7:11 am

      100% healthier, but just as delicious!

      Reply
  16. Marissa | Marissa's Teachable Moments

    July 29, 2019 at 8:52 pm

    This looks delicious! I need to add these ingredients to my grocery list.

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      July 30, 2019 at 7:10 am

      It will make for a great meal!

      Reply
  17. thesharonkay

    July 29, 2019 at 3:54 pm

    Looks delicious. Am always looking for gluten-free recipes.

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      July 29, 2019 at 5:55 pm

      This makes for a great weeknight dinner!

      Reply
  18. Lizzy

    July 29, 2019 at 3:07 pm

    Looks like a quick and easy dinner to whip up! Not to mention delish

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      July 29, 2019 at 5:55 pm

      Super easy to make!

      Reply
  19. Melissa

    July 29, 2019 at 12:47 pm

    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!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      July 29, 2019 at 5:54 pm

      Alright then.

      Reply
  20. Heather @ US Japan Fam

    July 29, 2019 at 12:32 pm

    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!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      July 29, 2019 at 5:54 pm

      Perfect! Homemade takeout will always be a winner!

      Reply
  21. Sami

    July 29, 2019 at 11:37 am

    Love the use of pineapple! Would love to make this.

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      July 29, 2019 at 5:53 pm

      That's how you make sweet and sour sauce!

      Reply
  22. cait

    July 29, 2019 at 7:40 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      July 29, 2019 at 11:27 am

      Homemade takeout is always fun to whip up!

      Reply

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Hey there, welcome to Strength and Sunshine! I’m Rebecca and I'm so glad you're here! This is your go-to destination for delicious, fun, and (mostly) healthy gluten-free and allergy-free recipes, tips & tricks, advice, as well as celiac and food allergy coaching services! More about me



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