sweet and sour chicken thighs with rice and salad
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Easy Sweet & Sour Chicken Thighs: A Family Favorite Made Simple

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When it comes to feeding my family, chicken is a staple. With the price of meat these days, it’s hard to beat the value of chicken, especially chicken legs, thighs, and drumsticks. I always keep an eye out for sales and stock up when I can, so my freezer is often full of these cuts.

But as much as we love chicken, I need to get creative with how I prepare it—there’s only so much plain roasted or grilled chicken a family can take before they start asking for something new. That’s where this sweet & sour chicken recipe comes in.

One of the things I love about this dish is that it brings bold flavors to the table while keeping things simple and budget-friendly. It’s also one of my kids’ favorite ways to eat chicken thighs.

They love the balance of sweet and tangy flavors in the sauce, and they always come back for seconds—which is how I know I’ve got a winner on my hands!

Innovating on a Classic Sweet & Sour Chicken Recipe

The original sweet and sour chicken thigh recipe I adapted comes straight from our family cookbook. Like many recipes that have been passed down through the years, it starts with steps that, frankly, I just don’t want to deal with on a busy weeknight.

The original recipe calls for coating the chicken in flour, browning it in a frying pan, and then finishing it in the oven with the sauce. Now, while that method might give you a slightly different texture, I’ve found that skipping the frying step doesn’t compromise on taste at all.

Let’s be real—who wants to dirty an extra pan if they don’t have to? I certainly don’t! So, I modified the recipe to do it all in one pan in the oven. The chicken still turns out tender and flavorful, and the sauce gets nice and thick without the hassle of frying.

To replace the thickening effect the flour coating would have provided, I simply add a bit of cornstarch to the sauce before baking. Problem solved, fewer dishes, and just as delicious!

seasoned chicken ready to make a sweet & sour chicken recipe
cooked chicken legs and thighs ready for sweet & sour sauce
sweet & sour chicken thighs bubbling in baking pan in oven

Why Sweet and Sour Works

Sweet and sour sauce is a flavor combination that just works, especially with chicken thighs. The richness of the dark meat pairs beautifully with the tangy sweetness of the sauce.

Thighs are also much more forgiving than chicken breasts when it comes to cooking—they stay juicy and tender even with a bit longer cooking time, which makes them perfect for baking.

In my household, we tend to eat chicken thighs more than any other cut. They’re inexpensive, flavorful, and can stand up to a wide variety of seasonings and sauces. This recipe is one of my kids’ top requests, and I don’t mind making it regularly because it’s easy to throw together with pantry staples.

A One-Pan Wonder

What makes this version of sweet and sour chicken so great, beyond the flavor, is how simple it is to prepare. You literally toss the chicken into a baking dish, whisk up the sauce, pour it over the top, and pop it into the oven. That’s it! No need to brown the chicken on the stovetop first—just let the oven do all the work for you.

This also makes cleanup a breeze. I don’t know about you, but I’m all about minimizing dishes whenever possible. After a busy day, the last thing I want to do is wash extra pots and pans. With this recipe, it’s all contained in one dish, and the cornstarch does its job to thicken the sauce beautifully as it bakes.

Easy Sweet & Sour Chicken Thighs

Recipe by Jessie
0.0 from 0 votes
Course: MainDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

1

hour 

30

minutes

This Sweet & Sour Chicken Thighs recipe is a simple, one-pan meal that brings bold flavors to the table. Chicken thighs are baked in a tangy, sweet sauce that’s thickened with cornstarch for ease and minimal cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights, this budget-friendly dish is a family favorite, and the kids always come back for seconds!

Ingredients

  • 3-4 lb chicken thighs

  • 3/4 c brown sugar

  • 1/2 c ketchup

  • 1/2 tsp chili powder

  • 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

  • 1/2 tsp seasoning salt

  • 3/4 cup of water

  • 2 Tbsp cornstarch

  • 1/2 c vinegar

  • 3/4 c water

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Place chicken thighs in a well-greased backing dish. Sprinkle seasoning salt over them.
  • Place chicken in oven and bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes.
  • *Remove chicken from oven, transfer to a bowl, and drain fat/drippings from the baking dish. Place the chicken back in the baking dish.
  • Combine all other ingredients in a bowl, whisk together until well mixed. Pour over top of the chicken.
  • Place the chicken back in the oven, and bake for an additional 45 minutes.
  • Remove from oven, let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • *If you want to avoid dirtying an extra bowl, you can just pour the sauce over the chicken without draining off the drippings. If you choose this, just be aware that there will be a fair amount of chicken fat floating on the top of your sauce when everything is fully cooked.

A Recipe Your Family Will Love

If you’re like me and looking for new ways to make chicken exciting, I highly recommend giving this sweet and sour chicken a try. It’s simple, affordable, and packed with flavor.

Plus, since it’s baked all in one dish, you’ll save time on both preparation and cleanup. Serve it with rice to soak up all that tasty sauce, and you’ve got a meal that’s sure to please everyone at the table.

So, the next time you find chicken thighs on sale, stock up and give this recipe a go. I guarantee it’ll become a regular in your rotation, just like it is in mine!

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