Sweet and sour chicken

Step 1

Make the Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the pineapple juice, vinegar, sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and cook, uncovered, for 8 minutes. In a small bowl, stir the cornstarch with 1½ tablespoons cold water, then whisk the mixture into the sauce. Cook for 1 more minute, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 2

Prepare the Batter & Coat the Chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pepper. Add the water and 1½ tablespoons vegetable oil, whisking until a smooth batter forms. Add the chicken pieces and toss until evenly coated.

Step 3

Pan-Fry the Chicken: Line a plate with a few layers of paper towels. Heat 1 inch (2.5 cm) of vegetable oil in a deep-sided medium skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 350°F/175°C). Pro tip: The larger the skillet, the more oil you'll need; the smaller the skillet, the less oil you'll use, but you may need to fry in more batches. Working in batches, use two forks to carefully lower the battered chicken, one piece at a time, into the hot oil, spacing the pieces apart to prevent sticking. Fry for about 2 minutes per side, turning once, until golden brown and crispy. (Cut a piece open to check for doneness and adjust the timing or heat if needed. Try to keep the oil at a steady temperature—if it drops too low, the chicken can turn out greasy; too high, and it may burn before it’s cooked through.) Transfer the chicken to the paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Discard the oil safely (see note below).

Step 4

Stir-Fry the Vegetables: In a clean large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the bell peppers and onion, stir-frying for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.

Step 5

Finish & Serve: Reheat the sauce over medium heat until hot. Put the cooked chicken in the pan with the vegetables. Off the heat, gradually pour the sweet and sour sauce over everything and toss to coat—you may not need all of it. Alternatively, for maximum crispiness, you can serve the sauce on the side for dipping instead of tossing the chicken and veggies in it. This keeps the coating extra crunchy and allows everyone to control how much sauce they use. Serve immediately.