Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe: A Delicious 30-Minute Meal

This easy sweet and sour chicken recipe is the perfect solution when you’re craving that classic American Chinese food flavor, but you’re either too far from a restaurant or looking to save some money. Forget takeout and enjoy this simplified homemade version!

Using pre-cooked, crispy chicken pieces (aka chicken nuggets!) and a store-bought sauce, this sheet pan recipe takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and requires just 5 main ingredients! It’s a perfect weeknight dinner option for busy families.

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Sweet and Sour Chicken

Perfect Flavor Balance: Sweet and sour is a timeless combination! Paired with crispy chicken and tender vegetables, it’s an irresistible flavor profile that everyone will enjoy.
Unbelievably Easy to Make: With only 5 essential ingredients, pre-made sauce, and convenient chicken nuggets, this recipe is incredibly quick and easy to assemble. It’s so simple, even kids can help!
Skip the Sauce-Making Hassle: Forget measuring out cornstarch, white vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, and pineapple juice! A pre-made sweet and sour sauce works perfectly in this recipe, saving you time and effort. Of course, if you have a favorite homemade recipe, feel free to use it!
Customizable: Easily add other veggies to the recipe such as broccoli, carrots, or sugar snap peas.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Frozen Chicken Nuggets: The secret to the “easy” in this easy sweet and sour chicken! Using pre-breaded chicken is a fantastic shortcut that delivers delicious results. Feel free to substitute with frozen popcorn chicken, chicken bites, or even chicken tenders (if you prefer larger pieces).
Sweet and Sour Sauce: A bottled sweet and sour sauce keeps this recipe incredibly simple. However, if you have a homemade sweet and sour sauce recipe that you love, by all means, use it!
Pineapple: Fresh or canned pineapple chunks both work well. If using canned, drain the juice before adding.
Bell Peppers: Use 2-3 bell peppers, depending on their size. Choose your favorite colors – green, red, yellow, or orange! A mixture of colors adds vibrancy and visual appeal to the dish.
Red Onion: You’ll need approximately 1 cup of red onion chunks, which should come from a medium-sized onion.
Cooked Rice (Optional): Serve the sweet and sour chicken over rice for a complete meal.

How to Make Sheet Pan Sweet and Sour Chicken: Step-by-Step Instructions

Missing your favorite Chinese takeout? This “fake-out” sweet and sour chicken is a great way to satisfy your craving without the expense or hassle. While it’s not exactly the same as the original, it’s a quick, easy, and budget-friendly dinner that definitely hits the spot.

Prepare the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine 1 ½ pounds of frozen chicken nuggets (or popcorn chicken) with ¾ cup of sweet and sour sauce. Gently fold the sauce into the chicken until it’s evenly coated.
Arrange on Baking Sheet: Spread the sauced chicken nuggets onto a foil-lined baking sheet that has been lightly sprayed with vegetable oil or olive oil.
Add Pineapple: Distribute 2 cups of pineapple chunks evenly across the baking sheet, spacing them out between the chicken pieces.
Add Vegetables: Add the chopped bell peppers and red onion to the baking sheet, scattering them around the chicken and pineapple.
Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 375ºF (190ºC) for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and heated thoroughly. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature has reached 165 degrees F.
Add Remaining Sauce: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and drizzle the remaining sweet and sour sauce over the top of the chicken and vegetables.
Final Bake: Return the baking sheet to the oven for another 4-5 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and hot. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.
Serve: Serve the sweet and sour chicken over hot cooked white rice, brown rice, or quinoa.

Top Tip: Air Fry for Extra Crispy Chicken

For unbelievably crispy chicken, consider cooking it in the air fryer before adding it to the sheet pan. While the chicken is air frying, bake the vegetables in the oven as directed. Air fry the chicken for approximately 10-12 minutes at 380ºF (190ºC), or until golden brown and crispy. Then, transfer the chicken to the baking sheet with the vegetables and continue the cooking process as directed.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Variations

Chicken Breast Variation: If you prefer, you can make an unbreaded version by slicing boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts into thin strips. Marinate the chicken strips in a little bit of sweet and sour sauce before stir-frying them in a pan until cooked through. Then, add the cooked chicken to the sheet pan with the pineapple and bell peppers, and continue with the baking instructions.
Homemade Sauce Option: Use your favorite homemade sweet and sour sauce recipe! Combine the sauce ingredients in a saucepan and cook over medium-high heat (or according to your recipe’s instructions) until the sauce has thickened to your liking. Allow the sauce to cool slightly before using.
Spice it Up: Consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha sauce for an extra kick. You can also add a small amount of fresh ginger and garlic to the sheet pan for a deeper flavor.
Garnishments: Feel free to garnish and serve this recipe however you like! Sliced green onions, sesame seeds, or a drizzle of rice vinegar are all delicious and easy options.

Storing Leftovers

The tangy sauce, juicy chicken, and tender pineapple are a winning combination! It’s best enjoyed shortly after baking, as the liquid-heavy ingredients can cause the breaded chicken to soften over time.

If you have leftovers, they will still taste great! Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Reheat the leftovers in the air fryer (for the best results) or in the microwave until warmed through. Serve over freshly cooked rice.

More Easy Sheet Pan Recipes

Cilantro Lime Salmon
Sheet Pan Smoked Sausage and Peppers
Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies
English Muffin Pizzas
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Chicken and Veggies
Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
Sheet Pan Nachos

If you loved this easy sheet pan sweet and sour chicken recipe, let me know by leaving a 5-star review in the recipe card or commenting below! You can also tag me on Instagram @dashfordinner.

Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe Card

This easy sweet and sour chicken recipe using chicken nuggets for an easy dinner.

Ingredients

1.5 pounds frozen chicken nuggets or frozen popcorn chicken (about 24 ounces or 680g)
1 medium red onion cut into chunks (about 1 cup)
2-3 bell peppers seeded and cut into chunks (about 2 cups)
2 cups pineapple chunks fresh, or canned and drained
1 ⅔ cup sweet and sour sauce roughly the amount in a 14oz bottle
½ teaspoon salt or to taste
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
4 cups cooked rice for serving (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC) and line a rimmed sheet pan with foil. Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray or olive oil.
Add the frozen chicken nuggets to a large bowl and pour in about ¾ cup of the sauce. Gently fold the sauce in until the nuggets are evenly coated.
Place the chicken nuggets (or popcorn chicken) evenly throughout the baking sheet.
Add the pineapple chunks to the baking sheet, spacing them out evenly so that none are touching each other or the chicken pieces.
Next, add the onions and bell peppers. Season with salt and pepper.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until the chicken nuggets are heated through (a minimum internal temperature of 165ºF or 74ºC).
Drizzle the remaining sweet and sour sauce over the top.
Return to the oven and bake for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until the sauce starts to bubble.
Remove from the oven and serve over hot cooked rice. Enjoy!

Notes: You can use many different types of frozen and breaded chicken items like popcorn chicken, chicken bites, or chicken tenders. For extra crispy chicken, cook the sauce-coated nuggets in the air fryer at 380ºF for 10-12 minutes, or until crispy. Meanwhile, assemble the rest of the ingredients on a baking sheet and bake as directed. Add the chicken once it is cooked, then continue baking in the oven as directed.

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