Super Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 02/15/22
Tested by
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Tested by Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Super Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken on a platter

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 90 mins
Total: 100 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
843 Calories
45g Fat
34g Carbs
73g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 843
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 45g 58%
Saturated Fat 12g 58%
Cholesterol 284mg 95%
Sodium 982mg 43%
Total Carbohydrate 34g 12%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 19g
Protein 73g
Vitamin C 6mg 29%
Calcium 58mg 4%
Iron 5mg 29%
Potassium 727mg 15%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This chicken recipe is an old favorite, baked chicken with Russian dressing and apricot preserves. You can use any bone-in chicken pieces you like, and it takes just minutes to make the sweet and sour sauce and pop the chicken in the oven.

The sweet and sour chicken has a zingy taste that the entire family's sure to enjoy. It's a wonderful weeknight meal when you want something a little different that's still incredibly easy to prepare. The chicken is excellent when serve over rice and topped with pineapple slices. Serve with a quick sauté of veggies or a salad and warm flatbread complete the meal wonderfully.

"Don’t let the simple ingredients fool you, this chicken is really good, especially with the suggested pineapple and rice. It’s a perfect pantry shortcut recipe for sweet and sour chicken that requires little prep but has a great taste. Lightly seasoning the chicken first will only enhance it." -Colleen Graham

Super Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken / Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Super Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken ingredients in bowls

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  2. Place chicken pieces in a shallow baking dish, skin-side up. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 350 F.

    Chicken pieces in a baking dish

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the dressing, soup mix, and preserves. If the sauce is too thick and not pourable, whisk in water 1 to 2 teaspoons at a time to reach desired consistency.

    Sweet and sour sauce in a bowl with a spoon

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  4. Pour the mixture over the chicken.

    Chicken and sweet and sour sauce in a baking dish

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  5. Bake 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours, or until chicken is tender and the internal temperature reaches 165 F on an instant-read thermometer.

    Super Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken in a baking dish

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Tip

  • Adjust the chicken cooking time according to the pieces you're cooking. The USDA states that 165 F is the minimum safe internal temperature for all chicken. Dark meat, including thighs, however, will taste better and still be juicy when cooked to 175 F or slightly higher.

Recipe Variations

  • Season the chicken before adding the sauce if you like. A dash or two of black pepper and a bit of salt and ground ginger or dried rosemary would be a good fit for this sauce. You can also try a few dashes of soy sauce for a little contrast.

How to Store

  • Store leftover chicken in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 3 days. Be sure to refrigerate leftover chicken within an hour. Reheat in a 350 F oven until warmed through.

What is a good substitute for Russian dressing?

Russian dressing is an American creation that has a tomato and mayonnaise base with a few spices. It was very popular throughout the U.S. in the 20th century but has since been overshadowed by other styles of salad dressing. If you cannot find it at the store, it takes just a few minutes and common ingredients to whip up homemade Russian dressing. Alternatively, we tried thousand island dressing mixed with apricot preserves, and the flavor is very similar. Many cooks also use Catalina dressing as a regular substitute for Russian dressing, though it's not as creamy.

Article Sources
The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Safe minimum internal temperature chart. Updated May 11, 2020.