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Skinny Sweet and Sour Chicken

 Skinny Sweet and Sour Chicken is a healthier version of the classic Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe-packed with golden brown chicken pieces, bell peppers, onions, and pineapple, and tossed in a mouth watering sweet and sour sauce!

Makes 5 ( 1 and 1/3 cup) servings 

What Ingredients do I need to make this Skinny Sweet and Sour Chicken?

  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts: cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Salt and pepper: to taste
  • Cornstarch: this is used as a coating/breading for the chicken
  • Vegetable oil: to cook chicken in 
  • Zero point white granulated sugar sweetener: I use Lakanto monk fruit classic sweetener 
  • Rice vinegar: you could use apple cider vinegar as a substitute. 
  • No Sugar added ketchup: for sauce 
  • Low-sodium soy sauce: for sauce
  • Sesame oil: for sauce
  • Light brown sugar: I like to use just 1 Tbsp of regular brown sugar for the sauce. It thickens the sauce a bit and takes the sweetness to a whole new level. If you wanted you could use a brown sugar substitute, if you preferred. 
  • Garlic: fresh is best but you could also use 1 Tbsp of minced jarred garlic 
  • Canned or fresh pineapple chunks or tidbits: drained 
  • Red bell pepper: cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Green bell pepper: cut into 1-inch pieces 
  • Yellow or orange pepper: cut into 1-inch pieces 
  • Yellow or white onion: cut into 1-inch pieces 

How do I make this Skinny Sweet and Sour Chicken?

In a small mixing bowl whisk together the white granulated sugar sweetener,

brown sugar, apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar, no sugar added ketchup, soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic. 

In a large skillet or wok heat 1 Tbsp of oil on medium high to high heat.

Put 1/2 cup cornstarch into a large ziplock bag.

Add the chicken pieces to the large ziplock bag and shake until all the pieces are well coated.

Place the coated chicken pieces into the skillet with the hot oil.

Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes while flipping the pieces over so both sides get cooked.

(If  more oil is needed spray the top of the chicken pieces with canola cooking spray.)

Continue cooking until chicken is cooked through and golden brown.

Remove chicken pieces onto a baking sheet. 

Spray the same skillet or wok with non stick cooking spray. Add the diced bell peppers and onion.

Cook for 2 minutes, until crispy, yet tender.

Stir in the sauce to coat the pieces and cook for 30 seconds. 

Add the pineapple and chicken pieces back in and stir until the sauce thickens and is bubbling, about 6-8 minutes. 

Remove from heat.

Let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken then serve immediately.

Can this be made in the instant pot?

Yes, this can be made in the Instant Pot. Here’s the directions on how to cook this in the instant pot:

  • Put 1/2 cup cornstarch into a large ziplock bag.
  • Add the chicken pieces to the large ziplock bag and shake until all the pieces are well coated..
  • Set the Instant Pot on SAUTE and add 1 Tbsp vegetable oil.
  • Place the coated chicken pieces into the Instant Pot with the hot oil.
  • Sauté chicken for 2-4 minutes and season with salt, pepper and chicken. Sauté chicken until nicely golden around the edges.
  • Add 1/2 cup water & pineapple tidbits. Stir well to ensure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot. This will prevent the BURN error in your Instant Pot.
  • Press PRESSURE COOK on HIGH for 3 minutes.
  • Once the pressure cooking is over-do a quick pressure release by moving the valve manually from the SEALING to the VENTING position.
  • Open the lid carefully- be careful of the steam and stir in the sauce ingredients: white granulated sugar sweetener, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar, no sugar added ketchup, soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic. 
  • Press the SAUTE function.
  • Simmer the sauce until it thickens. This can take up to 2-3 minutes. 
  • Stir in the bell peppers and onion.
  • Turn off the Instant Pot and cover with a lid. Let it sit for 4-5 minutes. The steam will heat the bell peppers/onion-making them until crispy, yet tender.

Ingredients:

  • 1 and 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup zero point white granulated sugar sweetener 
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup no sugar added ketchup
  • 2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 Tbsp light brown sugar, unpacked 
  • 3 cloves garlic or 1 Tbsp, minced 
  • 1/2 cup canned or fresh pineapple chunks or tidbits, drained 
  • 1 red bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 green bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces 
  • 1 yellow or orange pepper cut into 1-inch pieces 
  • 1 small yellow or white onion cut into 1-inch pieces 

Directions:

  1. In a small mixing bowl whisk together the white granulated sugar sweetener, brown sugar sweetener, apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar, no sugar added ketchup, soy sauce, sesame oil, and  garlic. 
  2. In a large skillet or wok heat 1 Tbsp of oil on medium high to high heat.
  3. Put 1/2 cup cornstarch into a large ziplock bag.
  4. Add the chicken pieces to the large ziplock bag and shake until all the pieces are well coated.
  5. Place the coated chicken pieces into the skillet with the hot oil.
  6. Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes while flipping the pieces over so both sides get cooked. If  more oil is needed spray the top of the chicken pieces with canola cooking spray and continue cooking until chicken is cooked through and golden brown.
  7. Remove chicken pieces onto a baking sheet. 
  8. Spray the same skillet or wok with non stick cooking spray. Add the bell peppers, and onion. Cook for 2 minutes, until crispy, yet tender.
  9. Add sauce and stir to coat the pieces and cook for 30 seconds. 
  10. Add the pineapple and chicken pieces back in and stir until the sauce thickens and is bubbling, about 6-8 minutes. 
  11. Remove from heat. Let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken then serve immediately.

Makes 5 ( 1 and 1/3 cup) servings 

5 Points® per serving

How do I track this recipe in my WW app? 

Click the link below to go to the recipe builder. You’ll first need to sign into your WW account and then the recipe builder will upload. Be sure to edit the recipe with any ingredients that you use that are different. The recipe builder is the most accurate way to create, obtain, and track the Points®

*The recipe builder link only works for WW members located in the United States. If you are located outside of the United States, you’ll need to access the WW app manually to create the recipe in the recipe builder. 

Yield: 5

Skinny Sweet and Sour Chicken

Skinny Sweet and Sour Chicken

Skinny Sweet and Sour Chicken is a healthier version of the classic Sweet and Sour Chicken recipe-packed with golden brown chicken pieces, bell peppers, onions, and pineapple, and tossed in a mouth watering sweet and sour sauce!

Author: thepounddropper.com

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 5 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 and 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup zero point white granulated sugar sweetener 
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup no sugar added ketchup
  • 2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 Tbsp light brown sugar, unpacked 
  • 3 cloves garlic or 1 Tbsp, minced 
  • 1/2 cup canned or fresh pineapple chunks or tidbits, drained 
  • 1 red bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 green bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces 
  • 1 yellow or orange pepper cut into 1-inch pieces 
  • 1 small yellow or white onion cut into 1-inch pieces

Instructions

    1. In a small mixing bowl whisk together the white granulated sugar sweetener, brown sugar sweetener, apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar, no sugar added ketchup, soy sauce, sesame oil, and  garlic. 
    2. In a large skillet or wok heat 1 Tbsp of oil on medium high to high heat.
    3. Put 1/2 cup cornstarch into a large ziplock bag.
    4. Add the chicken pieces to the large ziplock bag and shake until all the pieces are well coated.
    5. Place the coated chicken pieces into the skillet with the hot oil.
    6. Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes while flipping the pieces over so both sides get cooked. If  more oil is needed spray the top of the chicken pieces with canola cooking spray and continue cooking until chicken is cooked through and golden brown.
    7. Remove chicken pieces onto a baking sheet. 
    8. Spray the same skillet or wok with non stick cooking spray. Add the bell peppers, and onion. Cook for 2 minutes, until crispy, yet tender.
    9. Add sauce and stir to coat the pieces and cook for 30 seconds. 
    10. Add the pineapple and chicken pieces back in and stir until the sauce thickens and is bubbling, about 6-8 minutes. 
    11. Remove from heat. Let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken then serve immediately.

Makes 5 ( 1 and 1/3 cup) servings 

5 Points® per serving

How do I track this recipe in my WW app? 
Click the link below to go to the recipe builder. You’ll first need to sign into your WW account and then the recipe builder will upload. Be sure to edit the recipe with any ingredients that you use that are different. The recipe builder is the most accurate way to create, obtain, and track the Points®

Notes

Smartpoints: GREEN: 6 Smartpoints BLUE/PURPLE: 5 Smartpoints per serving 

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

5

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 230Total Fat: 7gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 392mgCarbohydrates: 36gNet Carbohydrates: 35gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 11g

Do not use the WW nutritional calculator to calculate points. The nutritional calculator does take zero point food ingredients into consideration and will not be accurate. Personal Point values and nutritional information is estimated and calculated using the brand of ingredients listed in the recipe. PersonalPoints values may vary depending on the brand of ingredients used and depending on your customized zero point foods list.

Bobbie

Friday 12th of January 2024

This was amazing. We are not on WW so we used regular sugar, but reduced the amount a little. This tasted just as good a take out. I am keeping this recipe. Loved the sauce!! Thanks for sharing.

Sheila

Saturday 12th of March 2022

This sweet and sour chicken is delicious. I made the recipe with no sugar added brown sugar and no sugar added granulated sugar, and no sugar added ketchup so that my points would be correct. I suggest that cooks have all ingredients measured prior to beginning. The recipe goes quickly. I did cook the chicken more than the recipe suggested - I let it get pretty brown and made sure it was cooked even though it cooks some more after adding it to the veggies and sauce. oh...I did add 1 teaspoon of Mirin to the sauce since I had it in the fridge beside the sesame oil. Worthy of a dinner party!

low fat sweet and sour chicken recipe – Bnr.Co

Thursday 19th of August 2021

[…] Skinny Sweet and Sour Chicken – Pound Dropper […]

Cheryl

Wednesday 11th of August 2021

So yummy and easy to make. My husband loved it!! Thank you!

Janelle Obergfell

Tuesday 27th of July 2021

This is a very satisfying portion of yummy food!!!

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