Description
A sticky, spicy, and comforting dish with golden, crisp-edged chicken cubes coated in a tangy sauce that balances sweet and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for a lighter, crisper coating)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic salt
- 1 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white distilled vinegar
- 1 tsp salt
- 6 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp red chili pepper flakes (optional)
- Vegetable oil for frying (about 2–3 cups for deep frying or 2–3 Tbsp if shallow frying / air-frying spray)
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts into 1–1.5 inch cubes and pat dry.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour (or cornstarch), paprika, and garlic salt. Toss the chicken cubes until evenly coated. Shake off excess coating.
- In a deep skillet or wok, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) for deep frying. If shallow-frying, heat 2–3 Tbsp oil over medium-high heat in a skillet.
- Fry the coated chicken in batches for 3–4 minutes per batch until golden and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)).
- In a saucepan, whisk together sugar, water, white vinegar, salt, soy sauce, and red chili flakes if using. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- If using cornstarch as a thickener, mix 1–2 tsp cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry; whisk into the simmering sauce until thickened.
- Add the fried chicken pieces to the saucepan and toss quickly to coat, heating just long enough to glaze—about 1–2 minutes.
- Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if desired.
Notes
To reduce calories and sodium, consider using low-sodium soy sauce, reducing sugar, or air-frying instead of deep-frying. Sodium is high due to soy sauce and salt; monitor your daily intake.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 820
- Sugar: 62g
- Sodium: 1900mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: n/a
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 95g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: n/a