Best ever, easy dinner that will have the whole family licking their fingers. These sticky Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs are my new go to meal for busy nights.
A few years ago I saw a recipe on Mel’s Kitchen Cafe for Sweet and Sour Chicken. Despite my dislike of all things sweet and sour I decided to try it because it had such raving reviews. The reviews were right! It was AWESOME! Not at all like most sweet and sour things I’ve tried. It’s one of our families favorite meals. However, it is a little time intensive so I don’t make it very often.
A few months ago I realized I could get very similar results with much less effort by sprinkling flour over chicken thighs and baking them in the oven with the sauce. The whole family loves it. We serve them with white rice and either green beans or broccoli.
**To make it Gluten free sprinkle corn starch instead of flour
These Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs are a must make and perfect for busy school nights.
More Weeknight Favorites
- 8 chicken thighs, bone in, skin removed
- 3-4 tablespoons flour or cornstarch if you want it gluten free
- Salt and Pepper
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Sprinkle bottom of a 9x13 pan with 1-2 tbsp flour and generously sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Place Chicken thighs in top side down. Sprinkle remaining 1-2 tbsp of flour on the thighs and again salt and pepper.
- Make sauce by whisking together, sugar, ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce and garlic salt.
- Pour sauce over thighs.
- Bake in oven for 1½ hours if thawed, or 2 hours if partly frozen. Turn once half way through cooking.
- Serve with rice and veggies. Can use sauce from the chicken on the rice.
Enjoy! YUM! YUM! YUM!
Made these last night and they were a hit! I too am a fan of the original recipe from Mel, but with two little ones, I don’t have the time (willpower) to make it unless my husband comes home early from work. Thanks for the recipe!!
So glad you liked it Adriana! I am the same way, I only have the willpower to make intense meals if I have another adult for moral support Aka: babysitting. 🙂
Loved this recipe! Came out great. Wondering if you have tried with chicken breast and how you adjusted the cook time. Thanks
Hi, I haven’t tried it with breasts but I am sure it would work great, You would just want to make sure that you don’t over cook and dry it out. Cooking time will really just depend on the thickness of the chicken breasts. I would check it after an hour and then adjust time as you feel is needed.
Do u cover it while baking? Can u add pineapple?
I don’t cover it unless and I haven’t ever added pineapple, but I bet it would be really good.
My oven only goes up to 250. I going to add extra time at the end.
Hope they came out okay, at that temp, they may have needed an extra hour or two.
Can I substitute the Apple cider vinegar for red wine vinegar? That’s all I have.
Hi Vanessa, Yes, it should be fine!
OMG this chicken is the best I have ever made THANK YOU SOO much my new favorite recipe
I am so glad you love this recipe! I love it too, my kids beg me to make this!
Can i use sweet n sour sauce thats already made in the jar?
I can’t see why not. 🙂
Can you make ahead and freeze this?
I haven’t ever tried it, but I can’t see why not.
Made this last night and my husband could not get enough. He is a very picky eater so this was such a delight to find something other than meat and potatoes. It was easy, and delicious, thanks.
Yay!!!! This makes me so happy! I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to hear things like this about picky eaters. 🙂
Why do you cook it so long it would be done after 1 hour is there a reason
We really like the way the meat falls off the bone when cooked this long, also it helps the sauce get thick enough. If you don’t want to cook it that long you will probably need to add a little more flour to help thicken the sauce.
BEST CHICKEN EVER!! We have this all the time . Now a family favorite, thanks for the recipe.
Can you add bell peppers while baking?
I’m sure you can, I’ve never tried it though.
Made this last night and the whole family loved it!! I added red onion, red bell pepper and pineapple. Absolutely wonderful! Thanks for a new recipe that I’m sure I’ll use for many years to come. Can’t get over how easy the sauce is to make just using pantry items I always have on hand.
Right! The sauce is so easy and delicious! I’m so glad your family loved the recipe and your additions sound delicious! Thanks for leaving a comment Jan.
Delicious tender juicy chicken but I was disappointed when all the sauce blackened and solidified in the pan so there wasn’t any to put on the rice. Perhaps I’ll try a lower temp next time but my oven thermometer said that the oven wasn’t hotter than the 350 recommended. I will try again because the chicken was wonderful!
Hi Lea, try covering it except for the last thirty minutes.
Thanks! I’ll let you know. It’s on the menu plan this week.
Is it brown sugar or regular sugar? Thank you!
Hi Aubrie, It is regular sugar.
Everything I excpeted with none of the work or mess! Mel’s sweet and sour chicken is a favorite for sure, and this just takes the cake for the prepper and the eaters, lol. I used skin-on thighs and the crispy flavorful skin was delicious!! Thanks for sharing
Yay! I love hearing this Michelle! So glad you and your family loved it! And yes! I am all over simplifying anything I can. #fivekids
I only got boneless thighs thighs how long do U think I need to cook for now
They probably need about 1 hour if they’re thawed or 1 1/2 hours if partly frozen.
I just made this, letting it marinade in the fridge for dinner 🙂 i used the cornstarch instead of the flour. Crossing my fingers it turns out yummy! Also making french cut green beans and white rice with it ♡
You’ll love it! My family goes crazy for this!