This comforting Smothered Sweet-And-Sour Chicken is a classic home-style dish that delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Juicy chicken legs are pan-fried until golden and crisp, then simmered in a rich, glossy sauce made from ketchup, soy sauce, lemon juice, and sugar. The result is a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory notes that coat every tender bite. It’s an ideal meal for busy weeknights, offering hearty satisfaction for the whole family. Serve it hot over steamed rice or alongside green vegetables to soak up the delicious sauce. Simple ingredients come together to create a restaurant-quality dish right in your own kitchen.
Smothered Sweet-And-Sour Chicken
Description
This comforting Smothered Sweet-And-Sour Chicken is a classic home-style dish that delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Juicy chicken legs are pan-fried until golden and crisp, then simmered in a rich, glossy sauce made from ketchup, soy sauce, lemon juice, and sugar. The result is a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory notes that coat every tender bite. It&# 226;ÂÂs an ideal meal for busy weeknights, offering hearty satisfaction for the whole family. Serve it hot over steamed rice or alongside green vegetables to soak up the delicious sauce. Simple ingredients come together to create a restaurant-quality dish right in your own kitchen.Ingredients
Directions
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Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
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Add chicken legs to the pan and cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides, about 10 minutes.
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While chicken cooks, combine chopped onion, ketchup, lemon juice, soy sauce, sugar, pepper, and 1/2 cup water in a small bowl; whisk until smooth.
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Pour the sweet-and-sour mixture over the browned chicken in the pan.
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Cover the pan, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until chicken is tender and cooked through.
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Remove chicken from the pan and set aside on a serving platter.
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Mix cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold water until dissolved, then stir into the sauce remaining in the pan.
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Increase heat to medium-high and bring the sauce to a boil, stirring constantly until it thickens, about 2 minutes.
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Pour the thickened sauce over the chicken and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 986.4kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 52.2g81%
- Saturated Fat 12.9g65%
- Cholesterol 303.0mg101%
- Sodium 887.6mg37%
- Total Carbohydrate 17.6g6%
- Dietary Fiber 0.7g3%
- Sugars 11.3g
- Protein 93.0g186%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
Substitutions: You can use chicken thighs instead of legs for a boneless option. For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
Tip: Ensure the cornstarch slurry is completely smooth before adding it to the hot sauce to prevent lumps. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little more water.
Serving Suggestion: Serve over steamed white rice or jasmine rice to soak up the flavorful sauce. Pair with steamed broccoli or green beans for a complete meal.
