Eating Gluten Free at an Asian Restaurant is difficult and not always possible. Making it for yourself is different. This Gluten Free Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe that I have is easy and baked in the oven instead of deep fried. This healthier at home version is sure to be a family favorite.
Since my wife is gluten free, we don’t eat at Chinese, Japanese or other Asian restaurants very often. PF Chang’s has a clearly marked gluten free menu but Chinese Take Out places are a no go because of the soy sauce. To still get some of the flavors and tastes that we both love I am always looking at ways to make recipes like this at home.
Gluten Free Sweet and Sour Chicken Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips that I feel are important when making this sweet and sour chicken
Sweet and Sour Chicken Batter
Battering food is not always the fun part of a recipe. Dip in dry, then wet, then back to dry before putting it in the oil or pan. This recipe works great by skipping a little bit of the normal method and saves time.
- There is NO NEED to coat each piece of chicken with cornstarch individually for this recipe!
- Put your chicken pieces in a bowl, season with salt and pepper.
- Next, add your cornstarch and toss to coat.
- Take a piece of chicken, shaking extra cornstarch off, dip in egg, and put it in the pan to brown.
Gluten Free Sweet and Sour Chicken Sauce
One great thing about this sauce is that the sauce ingredients are pantry staples. There isn’t anything that’s difficult to find. Here are a few tips on making the sauce your own.
- Gluten Free Soy Sauce – This is easily found at the grocery store but you could use coconut aminos as well.
- The Ketchup – Who doesn’t have ketchup at home? Use whatever brand you like!
- The Vinegar – I like using rice wine vinegar for this recipe but distilled vinegar works well too.
- The Sugar – Plain granulated white sugar is my choice for this but other sugars like brown sugar or coconut sugar may work for this recipe. Be OK with experimenting when you cook!
- Garlic Powder – I prefer garlic powder instead of fresh because it mixes into the sauce better.
General Recipe Tips
- The Chicken – Chicken Tenders are perfect because you just have to cut them into cubes.
- The Sauce – The sauce for this recipe will work with at least 1.5 lbs of chicken.
- The Cornstarch – ¾ cup of cornstarch will coat at least 1.5 lbs. of chicken
- The Eggs – Adding water to the eggs will stretch out the mix a little bit so you have enough to coat the chicken.
What Do You Serve With Sweet And Sour Chicken
Here are a few Gluten Free options to go with your make at home meal.
- Instant Pot Basmati Rice – Fluffy and tender rice that’s easy to make.
- Japanese Onion Soup – A favorite meal starter at hibachi restaurants.
- Roasted Brussel Sprouts – Try these if you haven’t before. The crispy leaves are my favorite part!
- Easy Sautéed Green Beans – I use frozen green beans for this quick and easy side dish.
- Sautéed Mushrooms and Green Beans – When you want green beans with a little something in it.
Making At home versions of meals you get at restaurants doesn’t have to be difficult and out of reach. Give this a try and have a Make Your Own Takeout night at home!
More Gluten Fee Dinners
Here are some more easy and tasty gluten free dinners.
- Oven Baked Meatballs – I serve these as is without pasta but cook up some gluten free pasta if you want.
- Asian Style Flank Steak – A juicy and tender marinated steak when you want an affordable steak dinner.
- Garlic and Herb Chicken – A simple grilled chicken recipe with flavorful juicy results.
- Shepherds Pie – A hearty meat and potato casserole the fills you full of comfort.
- Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast – I love this simple recipe so much that I make it about every other month.
Easy Baked Gluten Free Sweet and Sour Chicken
Ingredients
Chicken Coating Ingredients
- 1-1½ lbs. Chicken Breasts or Tenders cut into 1½-2 inch cubes.
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- ¾ Cup Cornstarch
- 2 Eggs, Beaten with 1-2 Tablespoons of water
Sweet and Sour Sauce Ingredients
- 3-5 TBS Canola or oil of choice
- ¾ Cup Granulated Sugar
- ¼ Cup Ketchup
- ½ Cup Rice Wine Vinegar or White Vinegar
- 1 TBS Gluten Free Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- Sliced Green Onions, Sesame Seeds, Sesame Oil, and Sriracha for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325º
- Cut chicken into cubes in place in a medium bowl.
- Beat eggs in another medium bowl.
- Season cubed chicken with salt and pepper.
- Add cornstarch to the chicken and toss to coat.
- Heat Oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
- Once the oil is heated, take a few pieces of cornstarch coated chicken, shaking off excess cornstarch chicken and dip into the egg mixture.
- Brown coated chicken in batches until browned but not cooked through.
- Place browned chicken into a greased 2-3 quart (12×7-13×9) baking dish.
- Mix Sweet and Sour Sauce ingredients together and pour evenly over chicken.
- Bake chicken for 45 minutes stirring every 15 minutes.
- Serve chicken with rice of choice and a vegetable side.
