Who Needs Takeout When You Can Make Delicious Sweet and Sour Chicken at Home?

Homemade sweet and sour chicken is definitely tastier and healthier than takeout.
Who Needs Takeout When You Can Make Delicious Sweet and Sour Chicken at Home?
This quick dish is perfect for a busy weeknight. Johnny Autry/TCA
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This easy chicken and broccoli recipe makes a delicious, healthier alternative to Chinese takeout—and it takes just 20 minutes to make, so it’s ideal for an easy weeknight dinner. When toasted, ramen noodles make a tasty, crunchy topping for a stir-fry or salad.

Sweet and Sour Chicken With Broccoli

Active Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes
Serves 4
  • 3 ounces dry ramen noodles
  • 1 tablespoon canola or avocado oil
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 6 cups small broccoli florets (about 12 ounces)
  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
  • 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Crush noodles and spread on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, stirring once, until lightly browned, 7 to 9 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate. Add orange juice to the pan and cook, scraping up any browned bits, for 15 seconds. Add broccoli; cover and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.

Whisk vinegar, soy sauce, and cornstarch in a small bowl.

Add the vinegar mixture, honey, garlic, crushed red pepper, and salt to the pan; bring to a boil. Cook, stirring, until the sauce is thickened, about 1 minute. Add the chicken and cook for 1 minute more. Top with the ramen noodles.

This quick dish is perfect for a busy weeknight. (Johnny Autry/TCA)
This quick dish is perfect for a busy weeknight. Johnny Autry/TCA

Recipe nutrition per serving: 322 Calories, Total Fat: 7 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 79 mg, Carbohydrates: 38 g, Fiber: 6 g, Added Sugars: 9 g, Protein: 29 g, Sodium: 618 mg, Potassium: 639 mg, Iron: 3 mg, Folate: 89 mcg, Calcium: 76 mg, Vitamin A: 3413 IU, Vitamin C: 116 mg.

EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com. Copyright 2025 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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