Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Full Of Veggies, Lower In Sugar) (2024)

Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Full Of Veggies, Lower In Sugar) (1)

By: Jessie ShaferUpdated: 4/14/23

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This familiar dish is made even easier and better with our recipe for Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken. Make it tonight in one skillet for a veggie-loaded, protein-rich dinner that satisfies your craving for takeout. A simple lower-sugar sweet and sour sauce coats chicken breast and crisp-tender vegetables in this recipe that will be your new go-to for Sweet and Sour Chicken. It’s a family friendly meal that is sure to become one of your favorite dinner recipes. This version is so simple and requires just 20 minutes of prep time, so you can also make it ahead for an easy reheat meal to enjoy for healthful lunches, as well.

Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Full Of Veggies, Lower In Sugar) (2)

Highlights: Why This Recipe Is Healthier

  • Features a simple homemade sweet and sour sauce recipe made from all natural ingredients
  • Since the only sweetener is a small amount of 100% real pineapple juice, this recipe contains less sugar than most versions of Sweet & Sour Chicken
  • Includes many vegetables for added nutrients and fiber, include bell peppers, onions, and carrots
  • Contains chicken breast for a recipe that is high in protein and low to moderate in carb

    Make Sweet and Sour Chicken For An Easy Weeknight Dinner

    This sweet and sour chicken is made in one skillet, similar to a stir fry. It contains a quick and easy homemade sweet and sour sauce recipe. If you know Sweet and Sour Chicken as takeout from a Chinese or Asian restaurant, then you already know how great this combination of ingredients tastes together. We’ve created a recipe that we think is better than takeout, not only because you can make it from easy-to-find real-food ingredients, but because we’ve also cut down in the typical amounts of added sugar that appear in many a recipe for sweet and sour chicken. This recipe doesn’t call for any breading on the chicken, so it is quick to make in one skillet. You don’t need to work in batches, and simply need to make the sauce, cook the chicken, cook the veggies, and then combine it all!

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    The Sauce Makes This Dish So Good

    If you’ve ever wondered what sauce makes Sweet and Sour Chicken taste so good, the sauce is actually part of the name. Sweet and Sour Sauce, whether purchased or homemade, is the type of sauce used when preparing Sweet & Sour Chicken recipes. It is typically made from ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, and some type of sweetener, whether that is juice (like orange juice) or brown sugar. We’ve lowered the overall sugar in this recipe by lightly sweetening the sauce with 100% pineapple juice. In this recipe, you use ½ cup of the reserved juice from a can of pineapple chunks. You’ll also get less sugar by using a natural unsweetened ketchup, such as Primal Kitchen Organic Unsweetened Ketchup.

    Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Full Of Veggies, Lower In Sugar) (4)

    Ingredients In Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe

    Here’s what you’ll need to make this sweet & sour chicken stir fry, including the homemade sweet and sour sauce ingredients:

    • Pineapple – we call for a can of pineapple chunks packed in 100% juice, however you could also use fresh pineapple as long as you can reserve ½ cup of the fresh pineapple juice
    • Ketchup – we recommend a natural ketchup that doesn’t contain sweeteners, such as Primal Kitchen Organic Unsweetened Ketchup
    • Vinegar – use rice vinegar, white vinegar, or apple cider vinegar
    • Coconut aminos – read more about why we like to call for coconut aminos in this post. You may also use 1 tablespoon of soy sauce or tamari mixed with 1 tablespoon of water. If you using soy sauce, we recommend using a low sodium soy sauce
    • Garlic powder
    • Ground ginger
    • Cornstarch – use cornstarch to thicken the sauce; or for a Paleo friendly or Whole30 sweet and sour chicken, use arrowroot starch instead
    • Boneless skinless chicken breasts – may also use boneless skinless chicken thighs
    • Fine salt and black pepper
    • Avocado oil or olive oil
    • Bell peppers – you’ll need two sweet peppers and you may use any; we recommend one red bell pepper and one green bell pepper
    • Yellow onion – you’ll need ½ of a yellow onion; may sub white onion
    • Carrots – you’ll need 2 medium carrots cut into thin round slices
    • Optional garnishes – we recommend adding sliced green onions and sesame seeds for flavor and nice color

    Find the ingredient list with exact measurements in the recipe card below.

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    How To Make Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken

    This recipe is not crispy fried, but rather made easily in a skillet right on the stovetop. Here are the basic steps to make it:

    1. Combine the sauce ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the reserved pineapple juice, ketchup, vinegar, coconut aminos, garlic, and ginger. Slowly whisk in the cornstarch.
    2. Cook the chicken: Cook the cut up boneless skinless chicken breasts in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned on both sides. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set that aside.
    3. Saute the veggies: To the same skillet, add the onion and carrots. Once those veggies begin to soften, add the bell peppers. Continue cooking, stirring often, until the vegetables are crisp tender (soft but still have some texture when chewed).
    4. Add the chicken and sauce to the skillet: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the pineapple chunks. Stir in the sweet and sour sauce from step 1t. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and the vegetables are tender.
    5. Garnish and serve hot: If desired, garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve this dinner while hot over cooked rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, fried rice, or just as is.

    For the complete directions and ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card below. All of our recipes include the nutrition analysis, listing calories, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, sodium, cholesterol, and more per serving.

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    Pair It With Perfect Cooked Jasmine Rice From The Instant Pot

    While this Sweet and Sour Chicken is cooking on the stovetop, fire up your Instant Pot to make perfectly fluffy and delicious batch of jasmine rice to serve with it. Our fail-proof method results in tender, cooked jasmine rice that never sticks to the pot. If you’d rather make brown rice, see our recipe for Instant Pot Brown Rice.

    Perfect Instant Pot Jasmine Rice

    .

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    Healthy Ingredients In This Dish

    Here are a few of the stand-out ingredients in this recipe for Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken made at home:

    • Pineapple – this tropical fruit is a good source of vitamin C, as well as enzymes that can help improve digestion. Pineapple is also an excellent source of a trace mineral called manganese, which you need to form connective tissue and bone. You also need manganese for metabolizing fats and carbohydrates, absorbing calcium, and regulating blood sugar
    • Bell Peppers – these sweet (not spicy) peppers are a great source of vitamin C, especially red bell peppers. They’re also a good source of fiber, vitamin A, potassium, and antioxidants that are protective against cardiovascular disease. In this recipe you can use any color of bell peppers that you have on hand. We tend to use one green bell pepper and one red bell pepper for more color and a beautiful presentation
    • Chicken Breast – this lean protein source contains all nine essential amino acids (the ones you need to get from food). One of those amino acids is tryptophan, which has been linked to increasing levels of the hormone serotonin. That’s the hormone that creates a “feel good” feeling in the brain. Here is another healthy chicken breast recipe you’re sure to love
    Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Full Of Veggies, Lower In Sugar) (8)

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What are the spices used in this dish?

    The spices used in Sweet and Sour Chicken are very simple and typically include garlic powder, ginger powder, salt, and black pepper, which are the spices we’ve used here.

    What are the ingredients in this dish?

    We’ve made this recipe using chicken breast, pineapple and 100% pineapple juice, unsweetened ketchup, onion, carrots, green bell pepper, red bell pepper as the main ingredients in this dish.

    How many calories are in one serving of sweet and sour chicken?

    In our recipe for Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken, there are 275 calories (kcal) per serving of this dish.

    How do you make Sweet and Sour Chicken healthier?

    To increase the health in this recipe, we’ve upped the amount of veggies and reduced the typical amount of sugar. The only sweetener used in this recipe is from ½ cup of 100% fruit juice reserved from the can of pineapple chunks. We’ve also called for an unsweetened natural ketchup instead of ketchup that contains added sugars. Other recipes may include one or more sweeteners, such as brown sugar, cane sugar, sweetened ketchup, or additional juices, such as orange juice.

    Make This Dish Paleo and Whole30 Compatible

    To make this a Paleo friendly and Whole30 friendly Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe, use these ingredients. Opt for a ketchup that doesn’t contain any added sugars or sweeteners, such as this one. And instead of thickening the sauce with cornstarch, use arrowroot powder. This recipe is naturally gluten free and dairy free.

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    A Perfect Recipe For Meal Prep

    This recipe lends itself well to meal prep lunches or dinners. For easy lunches, prepare the recipe from start to finish and store servings in individual containers, such as these. Round out your lunches with cooked rice (see our Perfect Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or Instant Pot Brown Rice).

    For a make-ahead dinner, cook this recipe from start to finish, store it in the fridge, and then reheat when you’re ready. Or you could partially prep this recipe ahead by making the sauce, chopping the veggies, and dicing the chicken. Refrigerate those components in separate containers. When it’s time to make dinner, it will come together very quickly in one skillet.

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    Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Full Of Veggies, Lower In Sugar) (10)

    Recipe

    5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star4.9 from 13 reviews

    Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Full of Veggies, Lower In Sugar)

    This familiar dish gets a health upgrade and tastes so delicious with the addition of a homemade lower-sugar sweet and sour sauce plus many nutritious veggies. This recipe cooks quickly on the stovetop for an easy weeknight dinner the family will love.

    Prep: 20 minsCook: 20 minsTotal: 40 minutes

    Pin for LaterRate recipe

    Print Recipe

    Servings: 4 servings (6 cups) 1x

    Ingredients

    • 1 (14-ounce) can of pineapple chunks in 100% juice; drained (½ cup juice reserved)
    • ⅓ cup ketchup (we recommend unsweetened natural ketchup, such as Primal Kitchen)
    • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons coconut aminos*
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (or 1½ tablespoons arrowroot starch)
    • 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into ¾-inch pieces
    • ½ teaspoon fine salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil, divided
    • 2 medium bell peppers, any color, cut into ¾-inch pieces (2 cups)
    • ½ medium yellow onion, cut into ¾-inch pieces (1 cup)
    • 2 medium carrots, peeled and thinly sliced (1 cup)
    • Optional garnish: 2 green onions, thinly sliced, and sesame seeds

    Instructions

    1. In a small bowl, combine the reserved ½ cup pineapple juice,the ketchup, vinegar, coconut aminos, garlic powder, and ground ginger; whisk to combine. Slowly whisk in the cornstarch until no lumps remain. Set aside the sweet and sour sauce.
    2. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with the salt and pepper; toss well to coat.
    3. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot, add 1 teaspoon of oil and reduce the heat slightly. Add the chicken and cook 2-3 minutes without stirring. Flip the chicken pieces over when they release easily from the pan and are lightly browned. Continue cooking until the chicken is almost cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate and increase the heat for the pan to medium-high heat.
    4. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil to the same skillet (no need to wipe it out first) and swirl to coat the bottom. Add the onion and carrots; cook, stirring often, for 4 minutes. Add the bell peppers and continue cooking, stirring often, until the vegetables are crisp tender, 4-5 minutes more.
    5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the drained pineapple chunks to the skillet. Stir the sweet and sour sauce again, then pour it over the ingredients in the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and the vegetables are tender.
    6. Remove the skillet from the heat. If desired, garnish with sliced green onions and/or sesame seeds.
    7. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

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    Notes

    * Read more about why we like to call for coconut aminos in this post. In place of coconut aminos, you may use 1 tablespoon of soy sauce or tamari mixed with 1 tablespoon of water.

    Nutrition Information

    • Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
    • Calories: 275
    • Fat: 7 g
    • (Sat Fat: 2 g)
    • Sodium: 658 mg
    • Carbohydrate: 25 g
    • (Fiber: 3 g
    • Sugar: 16 g)
    • Protein: 27 g
    • Cholesterol: 66 mg

    Dietary

    Dairy-FreeEgg-FreeGluten-freeGrain-FreeNut-freePaleoWhole30

    © The Real Food Dietitians

    Recipe By: The Real Food Dietitians

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    The photos in this blog post were taken by Rachel Cook of Half Acre House.

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    Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Full Of Veggies, Lower In Sugar) (12)

    Jessie Shafer

    Jessie is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist living near Denver, CO where she splits her time among nearby playgrounds, typing away at her trusty laptop, and heating up her home kitchen with delicious experiments. Her best taste tester is her husband, a Denver firefighter with a well-trained palate. A former magazine editor-in-chief, Jessie has a long career in food publishing and health writing. While she once played centerfield for the Northwestern University softball team, Jessie now prefers her fitness in the way of biking up mountain passes and chasing three little kiddos (the latter proving to be the more exhausting activity).

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    1. Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Full Of Veggies, Lower In Sugar) (15)Tara says

      I made this recipe using pork instead of chicken and it was delicious! I love how simple the sauce was and having some of the vegetables already prepped was helpful too. Love a good one pan meal – my husband and toddler enjoyed it too! Served with white rice.

      Reply

      • Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Full Of Veggies, Lower In Sugar) (16)Stacie Hassing says

        Always a win when the whole family approves Tara! Thanks for the feedback and 5-star review!

        Reply

    2. Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Full Of Veggies, Lower In Sugar) (17)Joanne says

      It was delicious and not heavy, but I think it’s too much vinegar. Was a bit sour, so added a bit more ketchup and pineapple juice to balance it out. Will make again, but with less vinegar

      Reply

      • Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Full Of Veggies, Lower In Sugar) (18)Stacie Hassing says

        We are happy you could make changes based on your taste Joanne! Thanks for the feedback.

        Reply

    3. Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Full Of Veggies, Lower In Sugar) (19)Kristin Gulino says

      made this with my 23 yes old son as he wanted to bring healthy lunches to work and this dish is AMAZING! Easy to make and so full of flavor!

      Reply

      • Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Full Of Veggies, Lower In Sugar) (20)Stacie Hassing says

        Great Kristin! Thanks for the feedback and 5-star review!

        Reply

    4. Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Full Of Veggies, Lower In Sugar) (21)Nabila says

      Made this today and i was blown away! Absolutely delicious. The sauce is excellent. Perfectly balance and super healthy dish! Another recipe winner/keeper.

      Reply

      • Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Full Of Veggies, Lower In Sugar) (22)Stacie Hassing says

        Fantastic Nabila! We appreciate the 5-star review!

        Reply

    5. Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Full Of Veggies, Lower In Sugar) (23)Evie says

      Loved, loved, loved this dish! Tasted exactly like sweet and sour chicken from a restaurant yet so much healthier I’m sure. I had high expectations for this dish, and yet it blew them all away!

      Reply

      • Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Full Of Veggies, Lower In Sugar) (24)Stacie Hassing says

        Thank you so much, Evie! We appreciate the feedback and 5-star review!

        Reply

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    Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Full Of Veggies, Lower In Sugar) (2024)

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