
Sweet and sour chicken or pork is a classic Cantonese dish featuring tender, battered, and deep-fried pieces of meat coated in a vibrant, glossy sauce made from vinegar, sugar, ketchup, and soy sauce. It's often stir-fried with colorful bell peppers, onions, and pineapple chunks, creating a perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors. This dish is a staple of Chinese-American cuisine and has become popular worldwide.
🍳 View the full Sweet and sour chicken/pork recipe →
This dish is typically high in carbohydrates from the batter and sugary sauce, and moderate to high in fat due to the deep-frying process. It provides protein from the meat and some vitamins from the vegetables, but a standard restaurant serving can range from 800 to over 1,200 calories.
| Calories | 450 kcal |
| Protein | 20 g |
| Carbs | 45 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 18 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Iron | 2 mg |
| Calcium | 40 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.3 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.5 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 150 mg |
| Zinc | 1.5 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
The iconic red color often comes from food dye, a modern adaptation for visual appeal. Nutritionally, it's a prime example of how cooking methods (like deep-frying) and sauces can transform a lean protein into a high-calorie, indulgent meal.
AI estimate may be inaccurate · Terms