Descubre el exquisito sabor del pollo agridulce con nuestra receta casera. Jugosos trozos de pechuga de pollo se combinan con una irresistible salsa agridulce, realzada con el frescor de la piña y la textura crujiente de los vegetales. Una explosión de sabores asiáticos en cada bocado que deleitará a tus papilas gustativas y convertirá tu mesa en un festín digno de un chef.
Bittersweet chicken
Our sweet and sour chicken recipe is just what you need. With fresh and simple ingredients, you will create a dish full of flavor and color. From the crunch of the breaded chicken to the perfect balance of sweet and sour in the sauce, each component comes together to give you an unforgettable dining experience. Get ready to surprise your loved ones with this feast of flavors!
4
Portions15
minute23
minute38
minuteIngredients:
- For the Chicken
500 g chicken breasts, cut into pieces
1 beaten egg
1/2 cup cornstarch
Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetable oil for frying
- For the bittersweet
1/2 cup rice vinegar
4 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 taza de kétchup
1 tablespoon tomato sauce
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 red pepper, cut into pieces
1 green pepper, cut into pieces
1 onion, cut into pieces
1 carrot, cut into thin slices
1 can (227 g) pineapple in its juice, cut into pieces
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss the chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste. Next, dip the chicken pieces into the beaten egg and then into the cornstarch, making sure they are well coated.
- Heat enough vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the breaded chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken and place it on kitchen paper to remove excess oil.
- Meanwhile, prepare the sweet and sour sauce. In a large skillet or wok, mix together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, tomato sauce, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Heat the mixture over medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Once the mixture is hot and bubbly, add the red and green peppers, onion, and carrot. Cook the vegetables for about 5 minutes, or until they are tender but still crisp.
- Agrega los trozos de pollo frito y la piña en su jugo a la salsa. Revuelve suavemente para cubrir el pollo y las verduras con la salsa agridulce. Cocina por unos minutos adicionales, hasta que todo esté bien caliente y la salsa se haya espesado ligeramente.
- Serve the sweet and sour chicken hot over cooked white rice or Chinese noodles, and enjoy!
Tips
- Marinated: Marinating chicken before breading and frying can add even more flavor and juiciness to the dish. You can marinate it in a mixture of soy sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic and a touch of sugar for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- Crispy breading: To achieve a crispy, golden breading on the chicken, make sure to dry the chicken pieces well before dredging them in the cornstarch and beaten egg. This will help the breading layer adhere better to the chicken and fry evenly.
- Homemade sweet and sour sauce: Preparar la salsa agridulce en casa con ingredientes frescos puede hacer una gran diferencia en el sabor final del plato. Experimenta con proporciones de vinagre de arroz, azúcar, salsa de soja, kétchup y jugo de piña para encontrar el equilibrio perfecto de sabores dulces y ácidos.
- Vegetales frescos: Adding a variety of fresh vegetables such as peppers, onions, carrots and pineapple to the dish will not only increase its nutritional value, but will also add color and texture to the whole.
- Oil temperature control: Make sure the oil is hot but not too hot before frying the chicken. A temperature of around 175-180°C is ideal for obtaining a crispy breading without burning the outside before the inside is cooked.
- Sauce reduction: Simmer the sauce after adding the ingredients to allow it to thicken and the flavors to blend completely. This will help the sauce adhere better to the chicken and vegetables.
- Presentation: Para una presentación llamativa, sirve el pollo agridulce sobre arroz blanco cocido y decora con rodajas de cebolla verde y semillas de sésamo tostadas antes de servir.
Sweet and Sour Chicken and health benefits
Sweet and sour chicken, when prepared healthily, can offer several health benefits due to the fresh and nutritious ingredients used in its preparation. Here are some potential benefits:
- Lean protein source: Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, meaning it is a healthy option for those looking to maintain or build muscle mass.
- Rich in vitamins and minerals: Depending on the vegetables used in the recipe, such as peppers, onions, and carrots, sweet and sour chicken can provide a variety of vitamins and minerals essential for proper functioning of the body.
- Low in saturated fat: If cooked properly, sweet and sour chicken can be low in saturated fat, making it a healthier option compared to other fried dishes or those high in unhealthy fats.
- Portion control: When preparing sweet and sour chicken at home, you have complete control over the ingredients and portions, allowing you to tailor it to your individual nutritional needs and control your caloric intake.
- Versatilidad con ingredientes: You can customize the sweet and sour chicken recipe to include a variety of fresh vegetables, increasing its fiber content and essential health nutrients.
However, it is important to note that restaurant sweet and sour chicken can often be high in calories, fat, and sodium due to the excessive use of oil, added sugars, and commercial sauces. By making it at home, you can control the ingredients and make healthier versions of this dish. Furthermore, it is always important to enjoy it as part of a balanced and varied diet.
History of Sweet and Sour Chicken
The origin of sweet and sour chicken is a mix of cultures and culinary traditions. Although it is popularly associated with Chinese cuisine, especially in the Westernized version of Chinese restaurants, its history is more complex.
- ancient china: The combination of sweet and sour flavors is believed to have originated in ancient China, where ingredients such as vinegar, sugar and fruits were used to create dishes balanced in flavor. However, the modern version of sweet and sour chicken as we know it today probably emerged in the West.
- Western adaptation: During the 19th century, trade exchanges between China and the West introduced new ingredients and culinary techniques to both sides. Western chefs, fascinated by the exotic flavors of Chinese cuisine, began to adapt Chinese recipes for Western tastes.
- Popularization in the West: As Chinese immigration increased in countries like the United States, sweet and sour chicken became a popular dish in Chinese-American restaurants. These dishes were often a sweeter, less spicy version of authentic Chinese dishes, adapted to suit Western tastes.
- Variantes regionales: Over time, sweet and sour chicken has evolved into different variants depending on region and personal preferences. For example, in some parts of Asia, such as Thailand and the Philippines, you can find local versions of sweet and sour chicken with unique ingredients and flavors.
In short, sweet and sour chicken is the result of cultural interaction between East and West, fusing ingredients and culinary techniques from both regions to create a tasty and popular dish around the world.
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Image credit: Freepik
