Sweet and Sour Chicken Strips

Sweet and Sour Chicken Strips recipe videos

Sweet and Sour Chicken Strips is a popular Chinese-inspired dish featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a vibrant, glossy sauce that balances tangy vinegar or citrus with sugar. The chicken is typically breaded or battered and deep-fried for a crispy texture, then tossed with colorful bell peppers, onions, and pineapple chunks in the sticky sauce. While its exact origins are debated, it is a staple in American Chinese cuisine and has become a global favorite.

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🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is generally high in carbohydrates and fat due to the batter and frying process, with moderate protein from the chicken. A typical serving (about 1 cup) can range from 400 to 600 calories, providing some vitamin C from the peppers and pineapple but often being high in sodium and added sugars.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	450 kcal
Protein	18 g
Carbs	45 g
Fat	22 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	18 g
Sodium	850 mg
Potassium	320 mg
Vitamin C	15 mg
Iron	2.1 mg
Calcium	45 mg
Vitamin A	80 mcg RAE
Phosphorus	180 mg
Vitamin B6	0.3 mg
Niacin (B3)	4.5 mg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, Sweet and Sour Chicken Strips exemplifies the adaptation of Chinese cooking techniques to Western palates, becoming a symbol of fusion cuisine. Nutritionally, the pineapple not only adds sweetness but also contains bromelain, an enzyme that can aid in digestion, though the overall healthfulness is often offset by the deep-frying and sugary sauce.