A Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner
Are you craving a delicious meal that’s both sweet and tangy? Look no further! This Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir Fry is the perfect solution for a quick and easy dinner that the whole family will love.
The Perfect Balance of Flavors
The secret to this stir fry is the combination of heat from Sriracha and the sweetness of pineapple. Don’t worry, though—it’s not burn-your-mouth-hot! The Sriracha’s spiciness is balanced out by the pineapple, resulting in a sweet and sour stir fry that will tantalize your taste buds.
If your kids are fans of take-out sweet and sour chicken, they’re going to go nuts for this homemade version. It’s not only tastier but also faster to make than ordering in. This stir fry recipe is guaranteed to make everyone in your family happy!
Kid-Friendly and Full of Flavor
This chicken stir-fry recipe may have a touch of spiciness, but it’s still incredibly kid-friendly. Even my youngest son has been enjoying this dish since he was just a toddler. He devours every bite and always asks for more. If you prefer something slightly sweeter, you can try our Teriyaki Chicken with Pineapple recipe.
How to Make Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir-Fry
Preparing this Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir Fry is a breeze. It only takes about 10-15 minutes to prep the chicken, vegetables, and sauce. Plus, the cooking and serving time is even shorter. To make it even easier, start cooking a pot of rice at the beginning, and by the time you’re done, dinner will be served in 30 minutes or less!
This dish is always a hit with my family—we never have any leftovers!
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Prep the Ingredients
Begin by slicing boneless, skinless chicken thighs into small pieces. Remember, the smaller the pieces, the better they’ll cook in the stir fry.
Next, drain a can of pineapple, but don’t throw away the juice. You’ll be using it in the sauce later.
Thinly slice your bell peppers and make sure your snap peas are washed and trimmed. If you prefer, you can purchase pre-washed and trimmed snap peas from most grocery stores—they make this step extra easy.
To add flavor to the chicken, toss it with soy sauce and cornstarch. This step ensures that each piece of chicken turns out perfectly crispy and bursting with savory goodness.
2. Create the Sauce
Now, let’s move on to the sauce. Combine the reserved pineapple juice with soy sauce, a bit more cornstarch, and vinegar. This mixture will serve as the base for the sweet and tangy sauce that will coat your stir fry.
3. Cook the Chicken
In a preheated pan with coconut or olive oil, cook the chicken for just a couple of minutes. Keep a close eye on it because chicken cooks quickly.
4. Add the Vegetables
Once the chicken is partially cooked, toss in the snap peas and sliced peppers. Cook them for another couple of minutes, adjusting the heat as necessary.
5. Finish with Pineapple and Sauce
Finally, add the pineapple chunks and the sauce you created earlier. Cook until the sauce thickens. It should have a sticky texture and shouldn’t be watery.
Taste the sauce and add Sriracha gradually until you reach your desired spiciness level. My family loves it with the full amount of Sriracha, but beware—it can get really spicy! Serve the stir fry over rice in bowls.
Sriracha Stir Fry Tip
You might be surprised by the amount of Sriracha used in this recipe. As I added it to the sauce for the first time, I couldn’t believe how much it took before I noticed even the mildest hint of heat.
Remember, you can always add more Sriracha if you want it spicier. For most families, about ¼ cup of Sriracha is the perfect amount of heat. However, if you have some spice enthusiasts at the table, feel free to let them drizzle a little extra on their plates.
Can You Freeze Stir Fry?
Yes, you can! Sweet and Sour Chicken is a fantastic meal to prepare in advance and store in the freezer for those busy weeknights when you need something quick and easy.
Allow the stir-fry to cool completely before freezing it in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to serve, simply thaw it and reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Even if you have leftovers, this dish tastes great when reheated for lunch the next day. So, don’t hesitate to make a little extra!
More Delicious Chicken Stir-Fry Recipes
When you’re in need of dinner inspiration, you can never go wrong with chicken stir-fry. It’s a meal that satisfies everyone’s taste buds. (By the way, my boys absolutely love eating with chopsticks—it’s a fun experience for them!)
If you’re in the mood for something spicy, try our Spicy Chicken and Bacon Stir Fry—it’s a crowd-pleaser in my household. Another flavorful favorite is the Ginger Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry—it’s so much better than most restaurant dishes!
For a change of pace, our Sweet and Sour Chicken is a delightful twist on the traditional Asian or Mexican flavors you might typically find in skillet meals.
If you enjoy Sweet and Sour Chicken, I guarantee you’ll love our Sriracha Honey Cashew Chicken. The combination of sweet honey and crunchy cashews makes it almost addictively good.
Most of the time, I serve chicken stir-fry over a simple bowl of white or brown rice. But when we’re in the mood for noodles, I grab the recipe for Stir Fry Noodles with Chicken and Vegetables. It’s a simple and incredibly delicious dish!
For more quick and easy dinner ideas, be sure to check out my kids’ favorite Cheater Korean Beef and this 20-Minute Kielbasa Cabbage Skillet. Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the Greek Gyro Skillet and Oven-Baked Hot Italian Sandwiches—they’re definitely on my must-make list. Trust me, you can’t go wrong with a quick, easy, and tasty meal on busy weeknights.
Don’t forget to visit Family Cuisine for more mouthwatering recipes.
Originally posted on 4-25-13. Recipe notes and photos updated on 5/4/23.
