Sweet and Sour Chicken is a meal that has gained a mainstream place on must Chinese-American menus in the last 75 years. This recipe, is freezer friendly, and able to included in your meal prep rotation quite easily. This recipe is delicious, and so easy to make, as it only includes 2 ingredients to buy. Simple, delicious, its the way to go.
In what has become a mainstay in American-Chinese cuisine, Sweet and Sour Chicken is the perfect freezer meal that is awaiting your taste buds. This tangy, and delicious sauce engulfs your chicken right in front of your eyes. What makes this dish even better is it is a fantastic freezer meal. You can prep it ahead of time, freeze it, and cook it on those busy nights when you cannot cook from scratch. Are you ready to get your flavors rocking, let’s prepare this meal in no time, together!!
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2 Ingredient Sweet and Sour Chicken Freezer Meal
Sweet and Sour Chicken is a meal that has gained a mainstream place on must Chinese-American menus in the last 75 years. This recipe, is freezer friendly, and able to included in your meal prep rotation quite easily. This recipe is delicious, and so easy to make, as it only includes 2 ingredients to buy. Simple, delicious, its the way to go.
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Why You’ll Love This Sweet and Sour Chicken Freezer Meal
Quick Dinner: Simply thaw and reheat the meal—no need to spend hours in the kitchen after a long day. Kid-Friendly: The sweet and tangy flavors appeal to kids, making it a dinner the whole family will enjoy without complaints. No Last-Minute Grocery Runs: Having meals prepped in the freezer eliminates the need to rush to the store for missing ingredients. Less Stress: Knowing you’ve got a freezer meal ready to go means one less thing to worry about when juggling family life. Budget-Friendly: Buying ingredients in bulk for freezer meals saves money, helping to stretch your grocery budget. Consistent Home-Cooked Meals: Even on your busiest days, you can serve a home-cooked meal with minimal effort.
Equipment Needed To Make Make-Ahead Sweet and Sour Chicken
Gallon freezer bag Grill/Slow cooker/Instant pot
What to Pair with Your Easy Sweet and sour Chicken Recipe
Substitutions: Chicken Thighs → Chicken Breast or Pork Chops: Want a leaner option, you can substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts for thighs. Alternatively, boneless pork chops also work well and maintain tenderness in the freezer. Sweet and Sour Sauce → Teriyaki Sauce or Honey Garlic Sauce: For a different flavor profile, you can substitute the sweet and sour sauce with teriyaki sauce or use honey garlic sauce for a sweeter twist. Water → Pineapple Juice or Chicken Broth: Instead of water, use pineapple juice to intensify the sweet and tangy flavors, or chicken broth to add richness and depth to the dish. Additions: Frozen Bell Peppers and Onions (2-3 cups): Add a colorful mix of frozen bell peppers and onions for extra flavor and nutrition. They’ll add a nice crunch and balance to the sweet and tangy sauce. Pineapple Chunks (1 cup): Add frozen pineapple chunks for a burst of sweetness that pairs perfectly with the sweet and sour sauce, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish. Carrots and Snap Peas (2 cups): Throw in frozen carrot slices and snap peas for a bit of crunch and additional nutrition. These veggies add texture and round out the meal.
Best Way To Store Quick sweet and sour chicken for busy families Leftover?
The best way to store your Sweet and Sour Chicken is to place it in an airtight container. Make sure to allow your leftover too cool to room temperature. If you do not have airtight containers, a freezer-safe bag will do, ensure that all the air is removed to prevent freezer burn. Label the container with the date for an easy tracking system.
How Long Will 2 Ingredient Sweet and Sour Chicken Freezer Meal Last In the Fridge?
Sweet and Sour Chicken, when allowed to cool and stored properly, will last in the fridge for three to five days. When you go to reheat your chicken, make sure to perform some sniff tests and check for spoilage.
Can I Freeze Sweet and Sour Chicken Meal Prep?
Yes! You can freeze Sweet and Sour Chicken after cooking. Make sure to allow your leftovers to cool completely before freezing in an airtight container for up to three months.
This recipe was designed as a raw freezer meal, which means that you are preparing the meal, freezing, and then cooking fresh when it is ready. To do this, add all ingredients into your labeled gallon freezer bag, then seal and remove as much air as possible. Store in the freezer for up to three months.
How To Reheat Best Freezer Meals for Busy moms Sweet and Sour Chicken?
When you are ready to reheat your meal, thaw the chicken in the fridge overnight, then warm it in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. You may also want to reheat on the stovetop until heated through.
Make sure to stir occasionally to ensure even heating. You can also choose to microwave your leftovers in short intervals, stirring occasionally. Be careful to not overcook, as this will change the flavor and texture of your meal.
What pairs well with a sweet and sour chicken?
Sweet and Sour Chicken pairs beautifully with many different side dishes that balance its tangy flavors. Fried rice or steamed jasmine rice are classic side dishes that complement the dish. These sides soak up the sauce and provide a neutral base.
Stir-fried vegetables, such as bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas add a crisp, freshness to the dish. If you are looking to add texture to your dish, crispy egg rolls or wontons make for a great appetizer. A cucumber salad or asian slaw can also provide a refreshing crunch.
These pairings make sweet and sour chicken even more delicious, and they can be prepared and stored as well.
What was sweet and sour chicken originally called?
The dish we know today as Sweet and Sour Chicken originally stemmed from traditional Chinese cuisine, where it was more commonly known as “tang cu li ji”, which translates to “sweet and sour pork.” The classic recipe was later adapted to include chicken as a more popular protein option in Western cuisine.
This adaptation was primarily to provide likeness to the western tastes and preferences, as chicken became a more widely accepted meat option. Over time, Sweet and Sour Chicken became an important addition in Chinese-American takeout menus.
What is the history of a Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe?
The history of Sweet and Sour Chicken dates back to ancient Chinese cuisine, where sweet and sour flavors were used to balance dishes. Sweet and Sour flavors were used to balance the dish. Originally, sweet and sour pork was a popular dish in Cantonese cooking, combining vinegar and sugar to create a flavorful sauce.
As the recipe spread to the western countries, it evolved to include chicken, making it more appealing to a broader audience. By the mid-20th century, the Sweet and Sour Chicken became a staple, appearing on menus across the US and beyond in Chinese-American cuisine. Today, it is a very popular choice for freezer meals.
How do you thicken sweet and sour chicken as it is cooking?
If you are looking to thicken the sauce in a Sweet and Sour chicken, cornstarch is typically the best thickening agent to use. Simply mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry, then gradually add it to the sauce while the chicken is cooking.
As the sauce begins to thicken make sure to continue to stir. Alternatively, you can let the sauce simmer and reduce to naturally thicken over time, but cornstarch allows for a quicker and more consistent result.
What is in a sweet and sour chicken recipe?
The Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe typically consists of boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts. The signature sweet and tangy sauce is made with a combination of vinegar, ketchup, sugar, and sometimes pineapple juice, which gives the sauce the fruity punch.
Additional ingredients like soy sauce and cornstarch are often used for seasoning and thickening. Vegetables are often served alongside the Sweet and Sour Chicken, and these vegetables are bell peppers, onions, and pineapple chunks, which add texture and color.
Are their regional variations to Sweet and Sour Chicken recipes?
There are several variations of Sweet and Sour Chicken. In Chinese cuisine, the dish is typically made with pork rather than chicken. The sauce also typically includes more subtle flavors or vinegar and sugar.
Western variations of this dish, particularly in Chinese-American takeout, the sauce is often sweeter and sometimes contains pineapple for added flavor and sweetness.
In Hawaii, Sweet and Sour chicken often incorporates the tropical flavors like mango, or other spices to reflect the local tastes. Some Asian fusion restaurants even offer variations with different proteins like shrimp or tofu.
Is sweet and sour sauce full of sugar?
Yes, traditional Sweet and Sour sauce tends to be high in sugar. The base of this sauce often includes ingredients like white sugar, or brown sugar, ketchup, and pineapple juice.
This contributes to the signature sweetness of the sauce. A typical store-bought version may include 15-25 grams of sugar per serving. However, when making this dish as part of a freezer meal, you can easily reduce the sugar content by using natural sugars and sweeteners like honey or make homemade versions that allow you to control your ingredients.
What are some other things sweet and sour sauce can go on?
Apple cider vinegar adds a tangy flavor to ribs and helps tenderize the meat throughout the cooking process. You can add it to your marinade or mop sauce when smoking ribs.
If you like this recipe here are some other Chinese – American dishes you’re sure to love:
As a full time working mom of four, I know how hard it is to find time (or energy) to cook. That’s why I’ve spent over a decade perfecting freezer meal recipes to make sure they’re not only quick to prepare but packed with flavors the whole family will love!
