Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 large eggs, beaten

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

1 cup pineapple juice

1/2 cup rice vinegar

1/4 cup ketchup

1/4 cup brown sugar

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon water

For Stir-Fry:

1 cup bell peppers, cut into chunks (a mix of red, green, and yellow)

1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)

1 cup snow peas, ends trimmed

1 cup carrot, julienned

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced

Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions:

1. Bread and Fry the Chicken:

In separate bowls, place flour and beaten eggs.

Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.

Dip each piece of chicken in flour, then egg, and back into flour, ensuring an even coating.

In a large skillet or wok, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat.

Fry the breaded chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

2. Prepare the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

In a saucepan, combine pineapple juice, rice vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, and soy sauce.

Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.

3. Thicken the Sauce:

In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry.

Slowly add the slurry to the sauce, stirring continuously until it thickens to your liking. Remove from heat.

4. Stir-Fry Vegetables:

In the same skillet or wok, stir-fry bell peppers, pineapple chunks, snow peas, carrot, garlic, and ginger until the vegetables are slightly tender but still vibrant.

5. Combine and Toss:

Add the fried chicken to the stir-fried vegetables.

Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the chicken and vegetables.

Toss everything together until well coated in the sauce.

6. Garnish and Serve:

Garnish the Sweet and Sour Chicken with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

Serve over steamed rice or noodles.

Optional Tips:

For extra heat, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to the sweet and sour sauce.

Add a tablespoon of toasted sesame oil for a nutty flavor in the sauce.