Baked Sweet & Sour Chicken

Simple, tangy, and family-friendly. Tender chicken pieces cooked in a pineapple-soy glaze. Great served over steamed rice.

Ingredients

• 2 lb (≈900 g) chicken tenderloin chunks (or boneless chicken breast/thighs, cut into bite-size pieces)
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup soy sauce
• Optional: 1 tbsp rice vinegar or 1 tbsp ketchup (to deepen flavor)
• Optional: 1 bell pepper (cubed), 1 cup pineapple chunks, 1 tbsp cornstarch slurry (for thicker sauce)

Yield & Timing

Serves 4–6. Prep: 10–15 minutes. Crockpot cook: 6–8 hours on low. (If baking, see Notes below.)

Instructions

1. Brown the chicken pieces quickly in a skillet over medium-high heat (2–3 minutes per side) to seal in juices. This step is optional but recommended for better texture.
2. In a bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, brown sugar, and soy sauce (add rice vinegar or ketchup if using).
3. Place the browned chicken pieces into a crockpot. If using, add bell pepper and pineapple chunks.
4. Pour the pineapple-soy mixture over the chicken, stirring to coat evenly.
5. Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours (or on high for 3–4 hours) until chicken is tender and cooked through.
6. If you prefer a thicker glaze, remove ½ cup of the cooking liquid, whisk in 1 tbsp cornstarch until smooth, then stir the slurry back into the crockpot and cook 10–15 minutes on high until sauce thickens.
7. Serve hot over steamed rice and garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Notes & Variations

• To bake: After browning, place chicken and sauce in a baking dish, cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–35 minutes, stirring once, until fully cooked. Finish uncovered 5–10 minutes to reduce sauce if needed.
• Add vegetables like sliced onions, carrots, or snap peas for a heartier one-pan meal.
• For a sweeter glaze, increase brown sugar to 2/3 cup. For less saltiness, use low-sodium soy sauce.
• Leftovers keep 3–4 days refrigerated. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave; add a splash of water if sauce reduces too much.