For those who may not be familiar with P.F. Chang’s, it has long been celebrated for its innovative approach to Asian cuisine, offering dishes that are rich in flavor and steeped in tradition. One of their crowning jewels? The incomparable PF Chang’s Sweet and Sour Chicken. This dish, a harmonious blend of crispy battered chicken, tangy sauce, and a colorful medley of pineapple, bell peppers, and onions, is more than a meal—it’s an experience.
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How to make PF Chang’s Sweet and Sour Chicken
P.F. Chang’s Sweet and Sour Chicken is a popular dish featuring crispy, wok-tossed chicken pieces coated in a sweet and tangy sauce. The dish typically includes bell peppers, onions, and pineapple, adding a mix of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Oil, for frying
For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
For the Stir-Fry:
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup pineapple chunks (canned or fresh)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Dredge them in cornstarch, then dip them into beaten eggs. Ensure each piece is well-coated.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, ketchup, vinegar, water, soy sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce is smooth. Let it simmer until thickened slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the bell peppers and onion, cooking until they are just softened, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the pineapple chunks and cook for an additional minute.
- Combine: Add the fried chicken to the pan with the vegetables and pineapple. Pour the sauce over the top and toss until everything is well-coated and heated through.
- Serve: Serve your Sweet and Sour Chicken hot, garnished with sesame seeds or sliced green onions if desired. Perfect with a side of steamed rice or noodles.
Tips for the Perfect Dish
- Ensure Crispy Chicken: Make sure the oil is hot before adding your chicken. This will seal the exterior quickly, keeping the chicken juicy inside and crisp outside.
- Sauce Consistency: The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. If it’s too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes. If it is too thick, add a little water to reach the desired consistency.
- Taste as You Go: The beauty of homemade dishes is you can adjust them to your liking. Feel free to taste and adjust the sweetness or tanginess of the sauce by adding more sugar or vinegar.
- Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh bell peppers and pineapple can elevate the dish, adding a burst of freshness that complements the rich sauce and crispy chicken.
What to serve with
Pairing the right side dishes with PF Chang’s Sweet and Sour Chicken can transform a simple meal into a memorable dining experience. The key is to balance the flavors and textures to complement the tangy-sweet richness of the chicken.
Steamed Jasmine Rice
A classic accompaniment to any Asian-inspired dish, jasmine rice offers a fragrant, slightly sticky base that pairs splendidly with the saucy PF Chang’s Sweet and Sour Chicken. It’s simple to prepare and acts as a neutral canvas that allows the flavors of the main dish to shine.
How to Prepare:
- Rinse 1 cup of jasmine rice in cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
- Combine the rice with 1 ½ cups water and a pinch of salt in a medium pot.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
Sautéed Asian Greens
Greens like bok choy, Chinese broccoli, or spinach can add a fresh, verdant element to balance the sweet and tangy flavors of the PF Chang’s Sweet and Sour Chicken.
How to Prepare:
- Wash the greens thoroughly and chop them into bite-sized pieces.
- Heat a little oil in a wok or large pan over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and a slice of ginger; sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the greens and stir-fry until just wilted—season with a splash of soy sauce and sesame oil for an extra flavor boost.
Stir-Fried Noodles
Quick stir-fried noodles offer a delightful contrast in texture to the crispy PF Chang’s Sweet and Sour Chicken, and they can soak up the sauce beautifully, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
How to Prepare:
- Cook your preferred noodles according to package instructions, then drain.
- In a large pan or wok, heat oil over medium-high heat.
- Add sliced onions, julienned carrots, and bell peppers; stir-fry until just tender.
- Add the cooked noodles and a mixture of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a touch of sugar.
- Toss everything together until well-combined and heated through.
Cucumber Salad
A light, refreshing cucumber salad dressed in a vinaigrette made from rice vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil can offer a cool contrast to the warm, rich elements of your meal.
How to Prepare:
- Thinly slice cucumbers and a small red onion.
- In a bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, a little sugar, sesame oil, and salt to taste until the sugar is dissolved.
- Toss the cucumbers and onion in the dressing. Garnish with sesame seeds and chili flakes for an extra kick.
Spring Rolls
Adding a side of vegetable spring rolls provides a crunchy texture that complements the succulent PF Chang’s Sweet and Sour Chicken. Serve with a dipping sauce like sweet chili or peanut sauce for an additional flavor dimension.
How to Prepare:
- Wrap julienned carrots, cabbage, vermicelli noodles, and a small amount of protein (optional) in rice paper.
- Fry in hot oil until golden and crispy, or for a healthier option, serve them fresh.
- Serve with your choice of dipping sauce on the side.
Ingredients Substitutes
When preparing PF Chang’s Sweet and Sour Chicken at home, you may not always have access to every authentic ingredient or you might need to make substitutions based on dietary restrictions or personal preferences.
Main Ingredients
Chicken: The recipe typically calls for boneless skinless chicken breasts, but you can easily substitute these with chicken thighs for a juicier, more flavorful result. For a vegetarian version, try using firm tofu or cauliflower as an alternative. Make sure to press the tofu to remove excess moisture and cut the cauliflower into bite-sized pieces before cooking.
Batter for Chicken
- All-purpose Flour: If you need a gluten-free option, rice flour or a gluten-free all-purpose flour mix can work well. Cornstarch can also be an alternative, giving a lighter, crispier batter.
- Eggs: For vegan adaptations, omit eggs and use a mixture of water and flour to create a thick batter that can help the cornstarch or flour stick to the chicken. Another option is to use a commercial egg replacer found in health food stores.
Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Ketchup: If you are reducing processed ingredients, you can use tomato paste mixed with a little vinegar and sugar to achieve a similar taste. Organic or homemade ketchup is another healthier option.
- Sugar: To reduce the refined sugar, use honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar instead. Adjust the amount as these alternatives tend to be sweeter than granulated sugar.
- Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar can be used instead of white vinegar for a slightly different but still tangy flavor.
- Soy Sauce: For a gluten-free alternative, use tamari. If you want to reduce sodium, choose a low-sodium version or simply reduce the quantity.
Vegetables
- Bell Peppers and Onion: Feel free to switch out or add other vegetables according to what’s in season or your preference. Examples include green beans, snow peas, carrots, or pineapple for added sweetness.
- Pineapple: If fresh pineapple isn’t available, canned pineapple (in juice, not syrup) can be a good substitute, though it might be softer and sweeter.
Cooking Oil
- For frying, if you prefer not to use vegetable oil, alternatives like canola oil or coconut oil are good substitutes given their relatively high smoke points. For a healthier version, you could shallow fry instead of deep frying the chicken or even opt to air fry.
Final Thoughts
With these side dishes, your P.F. Chang’s Sweet and Sour Chicken meal will be elevated into a feast that’s as delicious as it is visually appealing.
More Chicken Recipes:
- Realgood Foods Co Chicken Nuggets Recipe
- Dave’s Hot Chicken Loaded Fries Recipe
- Homemade Popeyes Chicken Nuggets Recipe
- Grilled Chicken Margherita Recipe
- Olive Garden Grilled Chicken Margherita Recipe
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Oil, for frying
For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
For the Stir-Fry:
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup pineapple chunks (canned or fresh)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Dredge them in cornstarch, then dip them into beaten eggs. Ensure each piece is well-coated.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, ketchup, vinegar, water, soy sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce is smooth. Let it simmer until thickened slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the bell peppers and onion, cooking until they are just softened, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the pineapple chunks and cook for an additional minute.
- Combine: Add the fried chicken to the pan with the vegetables and pineapple. Pour the sauce over the top and toss until everything is well-coated and heated through.
- Serve: Serve your Sweet and Sour Chicken hot, garnished with sesame seeds or sliced green onions if desired. Perfect with a side of steamed rice or noodles.
