Are you tired of spending a fortune on takeout and craving the bold flavors of Panda Express? Look no further! Our Easy Copycat Panda Express Sweet Fire Chicken recipe is about to become your new go-to dinner solution. With a prep time of just 15 minutes and a cook time of 20 minutes, you can indulge in the sweet, spicy, and savory goodness of this iconic dish in no time. And the best part? It's ridiculously easy to make and serves 4, so gather your friends and family and get ready for a taste explosion!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Chinese
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup bell peppers, diced
- 1/4 cup pineapple chunks
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing all your ingredients. Dice the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and set aside. In a separate bowl, combine the cornstarch with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Make sure the oil is hot enough for frying, which you can test by dropping a small amount of cornstarch into the oil; it should sizzle immediately.
- While the oil is heating, coat the diced chicken in the cornstarch mixture. Ensure that each piece is evenly coated, which will help create a crispy texture once cooked.
- Once the oil is hot, carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the skillet in a single layer. Fry the chicken for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the diced bell peppers and pineapple chunks. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
- In a small bowl, mix together the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Pour this sauce mixture over the stir-fried vegetables in the skillet.
- Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and toss everything together until the chicken is well coated with the sauce and heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Once combined, taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired. Remove from heat.
- Serve the Sweet Fire Chicken hot over steamed rice or noodles, garnished with extra bell pepper slices if desired. Enjoy your homemade version of Panda Express Sweet Fire Chicken!
Tips
- • To achieve the crispiest chicken, make sure to coat each piece evenly with the cornstarch mixture and fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. • Don't skip the step of testing the oil temperature - it's crucial for that perfect golden brown crust on your chicken. • Customize your Sweet Fire Chicken to your taste by adjusting the level of spiciness or adding your favorite vegetables to the stir-fry. • For an extra crispy texture, pat the chicken dry with paper towels before coating with cornstarch. • Serve with steamed rice or noodles to soak up all that delicious sauce!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 75mg
