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Home » Recipes » Chicken & Turkey

Easy Gluten-free Sweet and Sour Chicken

Published: Feb 8, 2024 · Modified: Mar 3, 2025 by Meeta Arora · Leave a Comment

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sweet and sour chicken on top of rice in a plate

Can't find gluten-free Chinese food near you? Then you need to make this easy gluten-free sweet and sour chicken recipe for dinner this week.

Gluten-free sweet and sour chicken being served over a bed of white rice.

Gluten-free Chinese food can be hard to find when trying to eat out. Thankfully, it's not hard to make some favorites like this gluten-free sweet and sour chicken. Every time I make it, I tend to double the recipe because my whole family loves leftover cold Chinese food the next day. Don't worry; this recipe is super easy to make, and it's ready faster than you could get something delivered.

Jump to:
  • Is Sweet and Sour chicken gluten-free?
  • Ingredients
  • How to make gluten-free sweet and sour chicken
  • Tips and Tricks
  • Gluten-free Chinese food FAQ
  • Prepping ahead of time
  • Storing leftovers and reheating
  • How to serve?
  • More gluten-free chicken recipes to enjoy.
  • 📖 Recipe

Is Sweet and Sour chicken gluten-free?

No, sweet and sour chicken is usually chicken fried in a tempura batter and then coated in a sweet and sour sauce that generally has soy sauce and possibly wheat as a thickener.

To make sweet and sour chicken gluten-free, we have to make a gluten-free chicken batter to coat and fry the chicken in and then make a sweet and sour sauce with gluten-free soy sauce.

Ingredients

  • Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless, and cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • Gluten-free Flour: I use King Arthur 1:1 blend, but cassava flour also works well as a grain-free option.
  • Corn Starch: Helps create a crispy coating on the chicken.
  • Baking Powder: Adds lightness to the batter.
  • Eggs: Used for binding the batter to the chicken.
  • Red Bell Pepper & Onion: Add color, crunch, and a mild sweet flavor.
  • Pineapple: Use fresh or canned chunks for a tangy-sweet taste.
  • Ketchup: Adds a sweet and tangy base for the sauce.
  • Gluten-free Soy Sauce: Use tamari or coconut aminos
  • Pineapple Juice: Enhances the natural sweetness of the dish.
  • Rice Vinegar: Gives the sauce its signature tangy flavor.
  • Sugar: Balances the acidity of the sauce.
  • Garlic & Ginger: I recommend freshly minced or grated.
Overhead view of the ingredients needed to make a gluten-free sweet and sour chicken recipe.

How to make gluten-free sweet and sour chicken

  1. Make the gluten-free batter for the chicken.
  2. Coat the chicken.
  3. Fry the chicken.
  4. Saute the veggies.
  5. Add the sauce and let it thicken.
  6. Toss the gluten-free battered chicken into the gluten-free sweet and sour sauce.
Overhead view of the steps for making a gluten-free battered chicken and covering it in a gluten-free sweet and sour sauce.

Tips and Tricks

Making gluten-free Chinese food isn't hard, but here are a few of my favorite tricks to make it easy and delicious every time.

  • Cut the chicken into equal-sized pieces. This will help ensure they all cook evenly.
  • Do not skip battering and frying the chicken. This gives this sweet and sour chicken that traditional Chinese takeout flavor and texture.
  • Let the sauce thicken before adding the chicken.

Gluten-free Chinese food FAQ

Is soy sauce gluten-free?

No, soy sauce is not traditionally gluten-free. Despite its name, it's made from wheat, soybeans, salt, and water, making it not gluten-free. However, you can find gluten-free soy sauce. I suggest using tamari gluten-free soy sauce to make sure it is gluten-free. You can also use coconut aminos instead, which are gluten-free.

What brands make a gluten-free soy sauce?

Several brands make gluten-free soy sauce, including the following.

San-J Tamari Gluten-Free Soy Sauce
Kikkoman Gluten Free Soy Sauce
La Choy Lite Gluten-Free Soy Sauce
Sempio Gluten-Free Soy Sauce
Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos

Prepping ahead of time

While this gluten-free sweet and sour chicken recipe is best when it is first made, there are some things you can do to make it easier for busy nights.

Prep the gluten-free chicken batter ahead of time. - You can prep the batter a day ahead and keep it in a sealed container in the fridge.

Make the sauce ahead of time. - I find it easiest to mix the sauce without the vegetables and let it simmer on the stove just until it starts to thicken. Then, when I am cooking dinner, it takes less time to finish once the sauce is added to the vegetables.

Make it all ahead of time and reheat. - This isn't my favorite option, but it does work. You can completely batter and fry the chicken and make the sauce ahead of time.

  • I recommend storing the battered chicken and the sauce separately if you do this.
  • I find the gluten-free battered chicken gets crispier if it's reheated in the oven or air fryer without the sauce.
  • Warming up the sauce and then combining it with the chicken will give the best results when making it ahead of time.
Up close look of gluten-free battered chicken in a gluten-free sweet and sour sauce.

Storing leftovers and reheating

This gluten-free sweet and sour chicken recipe actually makes delicious leftovers. The gluten-free batter does not fall off the chicken once it has sauce on it. This means you can enjoy your delicious Chinese leftovers like you would if they came from a local takeout spot.

  • If you prefer your chicken to maintain that nice crunch that has come directly out of the oil after the batter is fried. In that case, I suggest only tossing enough chicken in enough sauce that you know you are going to eat and storing the chicken and sauce separately.
  • To reheat, you can toss the chicken into an oven or air fryer at 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes or until it is warmed through.
  • You can also warm it up in the microwave in 30-second increments until warm if you prefer.
Looking down on a piece of gluten-free sweet and sour chicken being picked up with chopsticks.

How to serve?

Serve your gluten-free Chinese food just like you would any other Chinese food. My older daughter loves it when I pair this gluten-free sweet and sour chicken with some of my gluten-free fried rice. My younger, on the other hand, is not a fan of fried rice, but she loves to eat this with some extra sauce over some steamed jasmine rice. I'll even go out and grab some of our favorite gluten-free egg rolls at the store. Now, if only I could find some good gluten-free fortune cookies.

Want more gluten-free Chinese takeout recipes? Tell me below in the comments.

More gluten-free chicken recipes to enjoy.

  • Up close of a gluten-free ground beef taco being picked up.
    Easy Gluten-free Taco Meat
  • Overhead view of a scoop of a gluten-free chicken casserole being taken out of a baking dish.
    Gluten-free Baked Chicken Parmesan Casserole
  • spatchcocked chicken
    Spatchcocked Chicken
  • Buffalo Ranch Chicken Casserole
    Buffalo Ranch Chicken Casserole

📖 Recipe

Overhead view of gluten-free sweet and sour chicken on a plate with some jasmine rice.

Easy Gluten-free Sweet and Sour Chicken

Meeta Arora
Can't find gluten-free Chinese food near you? Then you need to make this easy gluten-free sweet and sour chicken recipe for dinner this week.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 6
Calories 419 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the gluten-free battered chicken.

  • 1 ½ Pounds Chicken Breasts Cubed.
  • 1 ½ Cups 1:1 Gluten-free Flour I use King Arthur 1:1 blend.
  • ⅓ Cup Corn Starch
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • ¾ Cup Water
  • ½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • ¼ Teaspoon Ground Ginger
  • Oil for frying.

For the gluten-free sweet and sour sauce.

  • 2 Tablespoons Light Cooking Oil I use avocado oil or sesame oil.
  • 1 Medium Red Bell Pepper Diced.
  • 1 Small White or yellow onion Diced
  • 1 Cup Chopped Pineapple Fresh, frozen or canned.
  • ¼ Cup Sugar
  • ¼ Cup Rice Vinegar You can also use apple cider vinegar.
  • ¼ Cup Gluten-free Soy Sauce
  • ¼ Cup Ketchup
  • ½ Cup Pineapple Juice
  • 2 ½ Tablespoons Corn Starch
  • 2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
  • ½ Teaspoon Ground Ginger

Instructions
 

Make the gluten-free battered chicken.

  • Combine the gluten-free flour, corn starch, eggs, water, garlic, and ginger in a bowl and mix until a thick batter is formed.
    1 ½ Cups 1:1 Gluten-free Flour, ⅓ Cup Corn Starch, 2 Large Eggs, ¾ Cup Water, ½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder, ¼ Teaspoon Ground Ginger
  • Add the cubed chicken to the batter and mix to coat.
    1 ½ Pounds Chicken Breasts
  • In a pan, warm up the oil to about 350°F.
    Oil for frying.
  • Add the coated chicken to the oil a few minutes at a time.
  • Let the chicken cook in the oil for about 4-5 minutes, flipping as needed, until the batter becomes slightly golden and the chicken is fully cooked.
  • Remove the chicken from the oil and let it rest on a plate lined with paper towels while you finish cooking the rest.

Make the gluten-free sweet and sour sauce.

  • In a separate skillet, add the light cooking oil and warm it up over medium heat.
    2 Tablespoons Light Cooking Oil
  • Add the diced onions, peppers, and pineapple to the skillet.
    1 Medium Red Bell Pepper, 1 Small White or yellow onion, 1 Cup Chopped Pineapple
  • Let the vegetables cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until they have started to soften.
  • While the vegetables are cooking, combine the rest of the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until no clumps of corn starch remain.
    ⅓ Cup Corn Starch, ¼ Cup Sugar, ¼ Cup Rice Vinegar, ¼ Cup Gluten-free Soy Sauce, ¼ Cup Ketchup, ½ Cup Pineapple Juice, 2 ½ Tablespoons Corn Starch, 2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder, ½ Teaspoon Ground Ginger
  • Add the sauce to the vegetables and let it simmer until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

Combine the chicken with the sauce.

  • Once the chicken has been battered and fried, add the pieces to the sauce and stir to coat.
  • Serve your gluten-free sweet and sour chicken with some jasmine rice or gluten-free fried rice for a delicious dinner.

Notes

Tips and Tricks 
  • Cut the chicken into equal-sized pieces. This will help ensure they all cook evenly.
  • Do not skip battering and frying the chicken. This gives this sweet and sour chicken that traditional Chinese takeout flavor and texture.
  • Let the sauce thicken before adding the chicken.
Prep the gluten-free chicken batter ahead of time. - You can prep the batter a day ahead and keep it in a sealed container in the fridge.
Make the sauce ahead of time. - I find it easiest to mix the sauce without the vegetables and let it simmer on the stove just until it starts to thicken. Then, when I am cooking dinner, it takes less time to finish once the sauce is added to the vegetables.
Make it all ahead of time and reheat. - This isn't my favorite option, but it does work. You can thoroughly batter and fry the chicken and make the sauce beforehand.
  • I recommend storing the battered chicken and the sauce separately if you do this.
  • The gluten-free battered chicken gets crispier if it's reheated in the oven or air fryer without the sauce.
  • When making the sauce ahead of time, warm it up and then combine it with the chicken for the best results.

Nutrition

Calories: 419kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 31gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 135mgSodium: 717mgPotassium: 609mgFiber: 4gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 225IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 54mgIron: 2mg
Keyword gluten free asian food, gluten free chinese food, gluten free sweet and sour chicken
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Meeta Arora, writer at Grain Free Table

Welcome to Grain Free Table! I’m Meeta- a busy wife, mom of two girls, and lover of food. Here you’ll find lots of easy and delicious gluten & allergy-friendly recipes, info about my favorite food & products, for a gluten-free way of life!

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