Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Whole30, Paleo)

Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Whole30, Paleo)

A healthy Chinese sweet and sour chicken that's super crispy and perfectly sweet and sour. Whole30, paleo, refined sugar free, it's totally delish yet easy.

•  Course Main Course
•  Cuisine Asian, Asian / American
•  Keyword Chinese, healthy, whole30
•  Prep Time 5 minutes
•  Cook Time 20 minutes
•  Total Time 25 minutes
•  Servings 6 servings
•  Calories 399 kcal

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into small chunks, about 3/4-1"
• 1 1/2 cups arrowroot starch plus more as needed, or substitute cassava flour
• 2 eggs beaten well
• refined coconut oil or avocado oil for frying, plus 1 tablespoon
• 1 cup pineapple chunks drained and juice reserved, from a can of Dole Pineapple Chunks in 100% Pineapple Juice
• 1 red bell pepper seeded, quartered, and cut into 1/2" strips
• 1 green bell pepper seeded, quartered, and cut into 1/2" strips
• 1/2 yellow onion halved and sliced
• white sesame seeds for garnish
• green onions green parts thinly sliced, for garnish
• steamed cauliflower rice to serve
• Healthy Sweet and Sour Sauce
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice drained from can of Dole Pineapple Chunks in 100% Pineapple Juice
• 2 teaspoons arrowroot starch
• 3 tablespoons dates about 3 Neglet or 2 Medjool, pitted
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup Whole30 ketchup
• 1 tablespoon coco aminos
• 2 cloves garlic peeled
• salt to taste

Instructions

1. Make the sauce: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until completely smooth. Set aside.
2. Sprinkle chicken pieces with salt. Pour arrowroot powder into a gallon Ziploc bag, and place eggs in a medium bowl. Add half of chicken to the bag with arrowroot. Shake to coat then remove chicken, tapping to remove excess. Transfer chicken to bowl with eggs and toss to coat. Remove from bowl, letting excess drain off, and transfer back to bag with arrowroot powder. Toss again to coat, using hands to break up any clumpy pieces. Remove from bag and set aside.
3. Repeat process with remaining half of chicken, adding more arrowroot powder to bag as needed to coat.
4. Heat a layer of coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in about two batches, add chicken and cook 1-2 minutes to set bottom breading. Continue to cook another 3-4 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and coating is lightly golden brown. Transfer to a plate, and repeat the process with the remaining chicken.
5. Clean out skillet and add in 1 tablespoon coconut oil or avocado oil. Add peppers, onions, and pineapple and sauté until peppers are beginning to soften, about 4-5 minutes. Add in sauce and cook 1-2 minutes until bubbly and thickened.
6. Add in cooked chicken and stir gently but thoroughly to coat well.
7. Serve over steamed cauliflower rice and sprinkle with white sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Recipe Notes

If you eat soy, feel free to swap out the coconut aminos for soy sauce in the sauce. Just leave out the salt as well, if you use soy sauce. If you're on a Whole30, do not use soy sauce!

If you have cassava flour on hand, try that for the breading! It's a little harder to find but my favorite grain-free flour, and it doesn't have a gelling quality like arrowroot can.

Nutrition Facts

Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken (Whole30, Paleo)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 399Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 151mg50%

Sodium 378mg16%

Potassium 917mg26%

Carbohydrates 50g17%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 24g27%

Protein 35g70%

Vitamin A 935IU19%

Vitamin C 55.4mg67%

Calcium 53mg5%

Iron 1.5mg8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Source:https://40aprons.com/healthy-sweet-sour-chicken-whole30/#wprm-recipe-container-18755