In this article, I will show you how to make a delicious and easy Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe, a classic Chinese dish that is popular all over the world. You will learn how to prepare the ingredients, cook the chicken, and make the sauce, as well as some tips and tricks to make it even better. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner, as it only takes about 30 minutes to make and serves four people.
What is Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken?
Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken is a delicious Chinese dish that consists of fried chicken pieces coated in a tangy and sweet sauce made with vinegar, sugar, ketchup, and soy sauce. The Hairy Bikers, a British duo of TV chefs and cookbook authors, created this recipe and added some pineapple chunks, green peppers, and spring onions for extra flavor and texture.
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Why You Should Try This Recipe
There are many reasons why you should try this Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe, such as:
- Easy – uses basic equipment and accessible ingredients
- Quick – ready in under 30 minutes
- Delicious – crispy chicken and tangy sweet sauce
- Satisfying – full of flavors and textures
- Versatile – customizable for preferences and diets. Substitute chicken, adjust sauce flavors, and add different veggies or nuts.
Ingredients Needed to Make Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken
To make this Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp of cornflour
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp of vegetable oil
- 1 red onion, peeled and chopped
- 1 green pepper, deseeded and chopped
- 227 g of pineapple chunks in juice, drained and juice reserved
- 4 spring onions, trimmed and sliced
For the sauce:
- 4 tbsp of white wine vinegar
- 4 tbsp of light brown sugar
- 4 tbsp of tomato ketchup
- 2 tbsp of dark soy sauce
- 1 tsp of cornflour
- A pinch of chili flakes, optional
Instructions to Make Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken
To make this Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe, you need to follow these steps:
- Make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, cornflour, and chili flakes, if using. Set aside.
- Coat the chicken. In a large bowl, toss the chicken pieces with the cornflour and season with salt and pepper. Shake off any excess cornflour.
- Fry the chicken. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add the chicken and fry for about 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
- Cook the vegetables. In the same pan, reduce the heat to medium-high and add the onion and green pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and slightly charred.
- Add the sauce and pineapple. Stir in the sauce and bring to a boil. Add the pineapple chunks and simmer for about 5 minutes, until the sauce is thickened and glossy.
- Serve and enjoy. Sprinkle the spring onions over the chicken and sauce and serve hot with rice or noodles. Enjoy your Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken!
What Do I Serve With Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken?
You can serve this Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken with rice or noodles, which will soak up the delicious sauce and make a complete meal. You can also serve it with some salad, steamed broccoli, or stir-fried vegetables for some extra greens. If you want to make it more festive, you can serve it with some fortune cookies, spring rolls, or dumplings.
Pro Tips to Make Perfect Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken
Here are some pro tips to make your Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken even better:
- To make the chicken extra crispy, you can coat it with some egg white before tossing it with the cornflour. This will create a thin batter that will fry up nicely and seal in the juices.
- To make the sauce more flavorful, you can add some minced garlic, ginger, or both to the onion and green pepper mixture. You can also add some sesame oil or toasted sesame seeds for some nuttiness.
- To make the dish more colorful, you can use different colored peppers, such as yellow, orange, or red. You can also use fresh pineapple instead of canned if you prefer.
- To make the dish healthier, you can use less oil, sugar, and salt, and more vegetables. You can also use brown rice or whole wheat noodles instead of white rice or noodles.
Variations of Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken
This recipe is highly customizable to suit different tastes and diets.
Here are some tasty variations to try:
- Use chicken breasts for a lighter option or chicken thighs for more flavor. Boneless chicken works best.
- Swap the chicken for crisp tofu, or shrimp for a vegetarian/pescatarian version.
- For a spicier dish, add more chili flakes or a teaspoon of sriracha to the sauce. For less heat, use less or omit chili flakes.
- Mix up the veggies. Try pineapple, bell peppers, carrots, snap peas, broccoli, or water chestnuts.
- Add unsalted cashews, peanuts, or sesame seeds for crunch.
- Adjust sauce ingredients. Use less sugar for lower sweetness or more vinegar for extra tang. Add a dash of sesame oil for nutty flavor.
How do I store Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken Leftovers?
You can store the leftovers of this Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, you can microwave it for a few minutes, or heat it in a saucepan over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally, until hot and bubbly. You may need to add some water or chicken stock to thin the sauce if it is too thick.
What to do with leftovers:
Leftover Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken is versatile for various quick meals:
- Make wraps or sandwiches with chicken, sauce, greens, cheese, and mayo.
- Toss chicken and sauce with salad greens, veggies, and dressing for an easy lunch.
- Add broth, chicken, sauce, noodles, and veggies to a pot for a quick soup.
- Use chicken and sauce as a topping for grain bowls or salad greens.
- Stir fry veggies and add chicken and sauce for a fast veggie stir fry.
- Stuff chicken mixture into a pita or flatbread for an easy handheld meal.
Final Words
Hairy Bikers Sweet and Sour Chicken is a delicious and easy recipe that you can make in less than 30 minutes. It is full of flavor and texture and can be customized to your liking. It is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Try it today and let me know what you think!
