Sweet And Sour Chicken With Vegetables
Sweet and sour chicken
Sweet and sour dishes are very popular at Chinese restaurants. You can order fish, chicken or pork, the usual meat used. However not all restaurants serve very delicious sweet and sour dishes. I have tried a few and it was rather disappointing. Some are too sweet, some are too sticky, some are too bland, some use colouring while some have more sauce than meat. This dish is usually colourful because of the vegetables and the balance of sweet and sour must be correct to make it one that you want to eat over and over again.
The recipe for the sweet and sour sauce used here is very simple and easy. It may not be the best but one that my family and friends like. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste.
Ingredients A
2 chicken legs (deboned and cut into bite size pieces)
1T sesame oil
2T light soya sauce
2T corn flour
1/2 small red capsicum (de-seeded and cut)
1/2 small green capsicum (de-seeded and cut)
1/2 small yellow capsicum (de-seeded and cut)
100g baby corn (cut)
fried garlic
Ingredients B (sauce)
4T chili sauce
4T ketchup
1 & 1/2 T light soya sauce
2 & 1/2 T sugar
1T corn flour
1/2C water
Mixed vegetables
Cut up the vegetables into bite size pieces. Cook the baby corn in boiling water for a few minutes to precook it. If you like, you can precook the capsicum pieces too but I didn’t because capsicums can be eaten raw and I love the crunch. So I add it last.
Fry the chicken pieces
Marinate the chicken pieces with the sesame oil, light soya sauce and corn flour for about 30 minutes. Heat up some oil in a frying pan or wok and pan fry the chicken pieces until browned and cooked. They are very delicious even on its own. Dish up and discard the oil.
Mix chicken, sauce and vegetables
Put Ingredients B into a bowl and mix well. Then pour into the frying pan. Keep stirring until it comes to a boil and thickens. Add the chicken pieces, some fried garlic and all the vegetables. Mix well, dish up and serve hot with rice, noodles or pasta.
You can use other meat and vegetables for this dish. Pineapple, big onions and pickled cucumber as in Pineapple And Cucumber Salad are good addition.
What is your favourite dish when you eat at a Chinese restaurant? Please share, add and comment in the comment box below.
Other sweet and sour recipes that you may be interested in:
Restaurant Style Sweet And Sour Pork
Sweet And Sour Fish
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97 Comments
Keep Learning Keep Smiling » Sweet And Sour Chicken With Vegetables Eating on May 19th, 2010
[...] post: Keep Learning Keep Smiling » Sweet And Sour Chicken With Vegetables By admin | category: vegetables | tags: because-capsicums, boiling-water, follows-on-then, [...]
Sophie on May 19th, 2010
A colourful & stunning dish!! I so love my fodd as easy yet so tasty as this!
Yummmmmm,..
Priya on May 19th, 2010
Wat a droolworthy dish, the dish looks very colourful and tempting..
Mary on May 19th, 2010
@the lacquer spoon - I love it with pork, too, or fish. As long as the sauce is nice, I think I don’t even mind it vegetarian 
Talking about it, I feel like cooking it again today 
@Sophie - Thanks very much, Sophie!
@Priya - Thanks very much, Priya!
Bo on May 19th, 2010
I love sweet and sour…but like you said so many restaurant versions don’t taste good…next time Im in the mood for this I’ll try your recipe.
somewhere in singapore on May 19th, 2010
Pls reserve some for me for my dinner later, hahaha…
Happy Cook on May 19th, 2010
I love to make them too and this looks soo good,
Angie's Recipes on May 19th, 2010
A very popular and delicious Chinese dish!
Amy @ cookbookmaniac on May 19th, 2010
Sweet and sour can really be hit and miss. I only order it from a chinese eatery near my partners house. I have never cooked it on my own. i must give your lovely recipe a try.
Mary on May 19th, 2010
@Bo - Thanks very much, Bo! Have fun cooking
@somewhere in singapore - Ooops…all in my tummy liao! Come….I’ll cook some more for you
@Happy Cook - Thanks very much!
@Angie’s Recipes - Thanks very much, Angie!
@Amy @ cookbookmaniac - Yes, now you can try it out at home. You can eat to your heart’s content. It’s really simple and easy. Have fun cooking, Amy
Catherine on May 19th, 2010
This looks so much better than the takeaway versions Mary, thanks for sharing! My mum loves sweet and sour chicken, I shall try this one for her 
Vinolia on May 19th, 2010
wow, this is too tempting!!! chicken and those crunchy vegetables look divine !!! simple, delicious and colourful recipe!!! have a nice day Mary !!!
pigpigscorner on May 19th, 2010
Sweet and sour is really popular esp with kids! So good with rice!
sushma mallya on May 19th, 2010
wow thats really mouthwatering, thanks for the recipe mary..looks too good and irresistible…
kristy on May 19th, 2010
My favourtie dish! yumm..yumm… My children also love it as well. I made this very often but with coated fried chicken meat. The meat will turn soft after mixing up with the sauce, with a little crunchiness as well.
SathyaSridhar on May 19th, 2010
Wooow look delicious chicken recipe dear looks colourful with crisp veggies dear…totally recipe is perfect dear..
Mary,, i bought the crab sticks little amount to try dear …
Faith on May 19th, 2010
Another great stir-fry, Mary! Stir-fries are a favorite in my house too.
Simply Life on May 19th, 2010
This is one meal that would make my entire family happy!
3hungrytummies on May 19th, 2010
I keep seeing sweet and sour everywhere Mary..I think it is a calling!
It looks very flavousome and colourful!
Donald Russell on May 19th, 2010
This recipe looks really nice! Sweet and Sour is one of my fav’s andthe colours look so fresh and tasty!
Mary on May 19th, 2010
@Catherine - Thanks very much, Catherine! I am already seeing all smiles on your mom’s face Have fun cooking!
@Vinolia - Thanks very much, Vinolia!
@pigpigscorner - Thanks very much! I love it with rice most
@sushma mallya - Thanks very much, Sushma!
@kristy - Yes, I love those that’s still crispy. I guess the meat are fried with crispy flour and the sauce poured over just before serving….mmm…delicious I have to try that next time.
@SathyaSridhar - Thanks very much, Sathya! I hope you like the crab sticks. There are many ways to try them. Would love to know how you cook it.
@Faith - Thanks very much, Faith!
@Simply Life - It’s interesting how easy it is to make our families happy In return we are happiest
@3hungrytummies - Haha….it’s high time that you cook
@Donald Russell - Thanks very much for visiting and lovely comment, Donald!
Belinda @zomppa on May 19th, 2010
I can never recreate these dishes at home - think I am too nervous to try Chinese often - and I love how you are de-mystifying it for me!
TasteHongKong on May 19th, 2010
Your pan frying is always great Mary. The chicken pieces in the pan speak for you : ).
denise @ quickies on the dinner table on May 19th, 2010
I agree that most restaurants do this dish quite badly and I’ve always been disappointed when eating this in restaurants. I read your recipe and it sounds like it will turn out very nicely! Thanks for sharing
claudia on May 19th, 2010
I would love to eat at your table with all these wonderful recipes
Treat and Trick on May 19th, 2010
Really colorful and tasty Mary, beautiful picture as well..
Angie on May 19th, 2010
This looks so good, I love baby corn, but have never cooked with it. I have to though!
Roti n Rice on May 19th, 2010
A colorful and very tasty dish! Beautifully done Mary!
Umm Mymoonah on May 19th, 2010
I love chinese food,yours looking sooooooooo tempting.
Thank you Mary for visiting my blog and leaving your lovely comments.Happy to follow you.
jo on May 19th, 2010
This looks so delicious and so colourful. Definitely a feast for the stomach and the eye.
Sarah, Maison Cupcake on May 19th, 2010
I thought of you today Mary, I finallly located chilli bean paste!
Tonight’s dinner looks fantastic.
Drick on May 19th, 2010
I agree, most restaurant dishes are just too sweet with not much other flavor, at home you can bring out the flavors just like you did - delish …do you have a favorite Kung Po recipe? never have gotten the sauce to taste right…will have to search your site to see if you have posted it before…
Stella on May 19th, 2010
Gosh Mary, I can honestly say that I want to eat at your house! This looks so wonderful. I need to buy some of those little baby corns…
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[...] Keep Learning Keep Smiling » Sweet Aחԁ Sour Chicken Wіtһ Vegetables [...]
Mary on May 19th, 2010
@Belinda @zomppa - Give a try at this popular Chinese recipe. You can always adjust the taste. Have fun cooking
@TasteHongKong - Thanks very much! I was eating those chicken pieces away as I was making the sauce…haha
@denise @ quickies on the dinner table - This is the simplest sauce that I’ve made for quick cooking. Hope you like it. Have fun cooking
@claudia - Come, Claudia…would be a great delight to have you here!
@Treat and Trick - Thanks very much!
@Angie - I love baby corns. They are so tender and sweet and can never get overcooked. Have fun cooking
@Roti n Rice - Thanks very much, Biren! Bet you cook this often, too
@Umm Mymoonah - Thnaks very much for visiting and lovely comment and also the follow, Umm!
@jo - Thanks very much, Jo!
@Sarah, Maison Cupcake - Awww…so sweet of you to be thinking of me! I hope you will enjoy the dish cooked with the chili bean paste. Would love to hear about it.
@Drick - Yes, I did the Kung Pao chicken recently. My family loves this dish….me, too of course Give a try. It’s http://www.keeplearningkeepsmiling.com/2010/04/16/spicy-cashew-nuts-chicken-gong-bao-chicken/
@Stella - Haha…come, Stella….a great delight to have you here. With Claudia, we will have so much fun over food!
lisa ng on May 19th, 2010
Hi Mary! my boyfriend loves his Sweet and Sour Pork from the restaurant which is heavy with batter and oil - a no no! So i am happy to see i can use yours which is much better and love the pineapples!
Thanks again!
CookNg Sisters
Jeannie on May 19th, 2010
aaaahh finally! lol! hey I wanted to comment on that delicious prawns of yours but can’t find the way in here! Now this delicious chicken is staring at me in the face! yum!
divya on May 19th, 2010
Wowwwww.. beautiful clicks.. looks soo tempting..
anncoo on May 19th, 2010
hehee…looks like you have more ingredients than the chicken ;DD Remember to keep some for me.
teresa on May 19th, 2010
this is the type of dish i could eat all day long!
Yummy Team on May 19th, 2010
Colorful and tasty dish..
Devaki on May 19th, 2010
Hi Mary - How delicious! Bring it on and keep bringing it on
Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
Mary on May 19th, 2010
This looks and sounds wonderful Mary. I could eat a dish like this several times a week. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings…Mary
Mary on May 19th, 2010
@lisa ng - Aha….you are going to earn lots of love from your boyfriend for cooking this You are such a sweet girlfriend! Have fun cooking!
@Jeannie - Ya, don’t know what happened to my post yesterday. Several people informed me that they couldn’t access my full post to leave comments 
Still don’t know what’s the problem. I’m glad it’s fine with this post
@divya - Thanks very much, Divya!
@anncoo - Haha…just to make everyone eat more vegetables Actually I had to eat most of them cos my children don’t like capsicum….hmmm. Will be cooking again…a lot…waiting for you to come
@Teresa - Must be your top favourite then!
@Yummy Team - Thanks very much!
@Devaki - Thanks very much, Devaki!
@Mary - Thanks very much, Mary! I would love to eat more often every week, but I guess I will be eating alone then…haha
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[...] Keep Learning Keep Smiling » Sweet And Sour Chicken With Vegetables [...]
xiaoyen on May 19th, 2010
Yummy! My kids LOVE sweet and sour pork. This is something they will definitely enjoy.
Jessica on May 19th, 2010
This looks delicious!
rosebelle on May 19th, 2010
You always have so many creative dishes. I don’t even need to think what to make for dinner. I have you!!
lequan@luvtoeat on May 19th, 2010
I love sweet and sour dishes but the problem is that the restaurant either uses pork or another meat I’m not too fond of so I usually just pick at the veggies and eat rice with the sauce. Bet this would taste great with shrimp. Yes, my answer to every dish is shrimp. Lol.
lequan@luvtoeat on May 19th, 2010
Sorry, my son pressed submit before I could finish. Love the colours in your dish. Thank you for sharing this lovely recipe with us. Looks and sounds delicious!
Love2cook on May 19th, 2010
Uish, I’m feeling sooooo hungry right now!!! Loved the combo! 
Catherine on May 19th, 2010
This looks fantastic Mary! I will be saving this recipe and shall try it soon!
Cheers~
Kristi@Ja Cie Kocham on May 19th, 2010
This is my FAVORITE dish at Chinese restaurants! Thank you for the recipe!
Erica on May 19th, 2010
ooh, another great creation! This sounds really delicious.
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[...] Keep Learning Keep Smiling » Sweet Aחԁ Sour Chicken Wіtһ Vegetables [...]
Little Inbox on May 19th, 2010
Sweet & sour pork or chicken with veges are my favorite!
Zibi on May 19th, 2010
Mary you make this look so easy! I love how simple the sauce is. This could work in the slow cooker too, I will try it out soon
Belle@OohLook on May 19th, 2010
This is such a classic Chinese restaurant dish, isn’t it? I was surprised to see that it’s also quite popular with Chinese people, too! I love all the colourful vegetables in your version.
citronetvanille on May 19th, 2010
When I look at your dishes, it makes me feel I am in a chinese restaurant :o) - love sweet and sour, I need to balance my sweet with my sour first, not too good at that! beautiful dish!
penny aka jeroxie on May 19th, 2010
I like sweet and sour anything. Must be the asian in me.
Tuty @Scent of Spice on May 20th, 2010
Mary,
We call this Ayam Kuluyuk… with the Pineapple, Onion and Cucumber version. Delicious classic dish.
My favorite is Boned Deep Fried Chicken with 5 Spice Dipping Salt. Only available in one restaurant in Jakarta Succulent chicken with crispy skin.
noobcook on May 20th, 2010
I love sweet and sour sauce! and I will pick out the baby corn first, I love those :)~
clint on May 20th, 2010
Oh my kids will love this one! The dish looks great! Thanks again Mary
Viviane @ Taste-Buds on May 20th, 2010
Yum! I love the spring rolls. Each time I am eating at a Chinese restaurant, they are a must to have.
Lovely dish you have here and very simple too.
Ananda on May 20th, 2010
What a colourful and gorgeous recipe
Dongxing on May 20th, 2010
Hi Mary. My kids love sweet and sour chicken with just freshly quartered tomatoes and some chunky cucumber, cooked like yours, ie, no batter on the meat. So much more healthier than those from the restaurant. If only, my son would eat some capsicum….
Nasi Lemak Lover on May 20th, 2010
This sound yummy, I cook this very often too.
Mary on May 20th, 2010
@xiaoyen - My children, too! Looks like it’s a dish that breaks through age barrier
@Jessica - Thanks very much, Jessica!
@rosebelle - Haha…so sweet of you, Roselle!
@lequan@luvtoeat - Thanks very much, LeQuan! Awww…your son is so cute. I bet he wants to tyoe, too Yes, this sauce can go with any meat that you like or even just vegetarian. Haha…you shrimp queen! Join my club
@Love2cook - Haha…time to cook!
@Catherine -Thanks very much, Catherine! Have fun cooking
@Kristi@Ja Cie Kocham - You are most welcome! You can cook yourself at home now
@Erica - Thanks very much, Erica!
@Little Inbox - Yeah…. we share similar favourite!
@Zibi - Thanks very much for visiting and lovely comment, Zibi! Have fun cooking
@Belle@OohLook - Yes, this is a very popular Chinese dish. Bet it’s cooked by many other cultures too. I’m sure we have lots of sweet ad sour dishes on the blogosphere to try
@citronetvanille - Thanks very much, Silvia! I think I can make my house into a Chinese eat out…haha
@penny aka jeroxie - Haha…I bet so, just like me!
@Tuty @Scent of Spice - Wow…lovely name….Ayam Kuluyuk. Haven’t heard of in Malaysia. Love that fried chicken with 5 spice dipping salt. Love fried chicken with crispy skin. I think I’ll eat all the skin first…haha
@noobcook - You must be cooking with baby corn very often. I love it too….so sweet and tender and delicious!
@clint - Thanks very much for visiting and lovely comment, Clint! Have fun cooking
@Viviane @ Taste-Buds - Thanks very much, Viviane!
@Ananda - Thanks very much for visiting and comment, Ananda!
@Dongxing - I only love it coated with batter if it’s still crispy but usually it’s not so I prefer this version. My children don’t eat ,too. So, you can imagine. I finished all the capsicum alone….enjoyed it
@Nasi Lemak Lover - Thanks very much, Sonia!
tigerfish on May 20th, 2010
I like that you added a lot of vegetables! So yum!
Von on May 20th, 2010
Yum! I love sweet and sour sauce with anything! The sauce doesn’t look too hard to make…I might try this some day!
tasteofbeirut on May 20th, 2010
I did not realize that sweet and sour sauce was so easy to make. Looks lovely and delicious.
Cathy at Wives with Knives on May 20th, 2010
Like you, I usually avoid sweet and sour dishes in restaurants, but now I can make them at home. Love all the veggies that you’ve used, especially the baby corn.
Pepy @Indonesia Eats on May 20th, 2010
I love this dish, but I like making it at home. Since I can add more chilies as many as I can
lisaiscooking on May 20th, 2010
I’d love to try making homemade sweet and sour sauce! The mix of vegetables here looks great!
Mary on May 20th, 2010
@tigerfish - Haha…always trying to make my family eat more vegetables
@Von - Yes, the sauce is very easy and good for many dishes, even great as a dip. I will be cooking again soon
@tasteofbeirut - Thanks very much, Joumana!
You can make your own sweet and sour dishes now!
@Cathy at Wives with Knives - Have fun cooking, Cathy!
@Pepy @Indonesia Eats - Wow…spicy…delicious! I would like that too
@lisaiscooking - Thanks very much, Lisa! Have fun cooking
peteformation on May 20th, 2010
Heh, heh, I posted sweet sour fish yesterday. Today, I cooked sweet sour fish ball…LOL!
5 Star Foodie on May 20th, 2010
We love sweet and sour chicken - thanks for sharing this excellent recipe, can’t wait to try it!
Light Delight with TouTou on May 20th, 2010
Hey Mary!!!!!!! It’s great to see some dish that really mouth watering I have been really sloppy in making food last few weeks, and you just remind me how great a meal can be . The color looks really enticing I wish my Mom was here so I can still have great food while preparing for the defense!
Hope you have a wonderful day Mary!
Mary on May 20th, 2010
@peteformation - Pete, you just have a way to make me suffer knowing tat I really miss that sourish, appetising dish! That’s double blow I will have to cook myself soon….a big pot!
@5 Star Foodie - You are most welcome, Natasha! Have fun cooking
@Light Delight with TouTou - I know you have been very busy but you still took time to cook healthy dishes. You are just amazing! Salute you for that Please take care!
Sook on May 20th, 2010
Sweet and sour chicken sounds great, Mary! I love your version. Will have to try it soon!
Janet @Gourmet Traveller 88 on May 20th, 2010
Haven’t had sweet and sour for a long time. Great suggestion for my dinner plan for next week : )
zerrin on May 20th, 2010
This sounds so appetizing!I often saute chicken pieces and peppers or mushrooms together but never used the ingredients B. Sounds like a great idea!
Mary on May 20th, 2010
@Sook - Thanks very much, Sook! Have fun cooking
@Janet @Gourmet Traveller 88 - Ooooh….you are going to have good food next week….yum! I would love to cook this dish again very soon
@zerrin - Now you can just make the sauce and add to your chicken dish. That would be so delicious. Your one dish can become 2 dishes
Joanne on May 20th, 2010
Sweet and sour is really hard to get right but from the looks of this - you mastered it!
Mary on May 21st, 2010
@sweetlife - Thanks very much, SweetLife! Time to cook again
@Joanne - Give a try to find out. Hope you like it
redkathy on May 21st, 2010
Hi Mary, love your sweet and sour! I’ll have to try it as it is my hubby’s favorite Chinese take out. As for me, I like the spicy stuff, kong pao chicken. Not sure if it’s truly Chinese, nevertheless it’s my all time favorite!
Mary on May 22nd, 2010
@redkathy - Both sweet and sour and gong bao chicken are very popular Chinese dishes. My family loves very much. Now you can enjoy cooking at home…fresh and cheap!
nisha on May 22nd, 2010
Sounds delicious
Mary on May 22nd, 2010
@Nisha - Thanks very much, Nisha!
mycookinghut on May 24th, 2010
This is a homey and great stir-fry!
Mary on May 25th, 2010
@mycookinghut - Thanks very much!
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Cristina @ TeenieCakes on May 29th, 2010
I love sweet and sour dishes. Fresh and colorful vegetables in this dish (really like the baby corns!). Hubby will be happy when I make this for him =)
Mary on June 1st, 2010
@Cristina - That would be lovely to make him happy I always think that it’s easy to please men, if they are ones that love food. My hubby is one of them
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the lacquer spoon on May 19th, 2010
Sweet and sour pork is very popular in Japan too as it’s a good friend with our beloved rice! Your chicken version looks so delish. The vivid hue urges my appetite