This easy red chicken recipe is the fastest, easiest chicken recipe you'll ever make. It's also called ketchup chicken, but you'll just call it delicious, especially served over rice or pasta.
This easy red chicken recipe is perfect for any night of the week! We choose to add vegetables sometimes but you do not have to do that! The possibilities are truly endless.
This ketchup chicken recipe is a definite keeper that you will make over and over again. You have to check this recipe out!
It sounds strange, but you would not believe how yummy this easy red chicken recipe tastes with such limited ingredients! It satisfies both kids and adults every time!
I don't use ketchup with or in many things but I can't help but use it to make this chicken dish. A ketchup chicken recipe sounds strange, but I can't stress enough that this recipe is definitely worth trying! You will be pleasantly surprised, just like I was!
If you enjoy this recipe, you may want to take a look at my cast iron chicken breast. It's totally delicious and oh so easy to make.
Ketchup Chicken
This was inspired by my old fashioned sloppy joes recipe. It also uses ketchup, so when I heard about this ketchup chicken, I thought, "Why not? I'll give it a try."
It's so good, and it's perfect when paired with my delicious garlic bread.
Why You Will Love this Recipe
- It only uses a few simple ingredients.
- It's a quick and easy recipe that will have you in and out of the kitchen in no time.
- It has the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
- It's a recipe that's perfect for families because kids and adults both love it.
Top Tip:
Don't overcook your vegetables. You want them tender but not mushy.
Ingredients in Easy Red Chicken
You'll only need a few ingredients to make this recipe, and you probably have all of them in your kitchen right now. The main ingredients are here, but you'll find the complete list along with amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Chicken breasts
- Ketchup
- Garlic
- Onion
- Sweet pepper
- Mushrooms
Substitutions and Variations
- You can use turkey or pork for this recipe if you like.
- Try using chicken thighs in place of breasts.
- Add other vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower for even more flavor and texture.
- Try my onion ketchup for even more flavor.
How to Make This Easy Red Chicken Recipe
Making this ketchup chicken is incredibly easy. It only takes a few simple steps and a few minutes.
The highlights are right here, but you'll find the exact instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.
1: Cook the vegetables until tender.
2: Toss the cut chicken with flour, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned on all sides.
3: Add garlic and cook for a minute or 2. 4: Add the ketchup.
4: When bubbly, add the vegetables and heat through. Enjoy!
Storage
Refrigerator: Store for up to 3 days in an air-tight container.
Freezer: Store for up to 3 months in an air-tight, freezer-safe container.
Reheat: Place the chicken mixture in a saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until heated through.
What to Serve with Ketchup Chicken
This delicious chicken is perfect when served over rice or pasta. Pair it with some garlic bread, bread and butter, or a side salad for a full meal.
A delicious meal can be made absolutely perfect by adding a side dish or two. What to Serve With Coq Au Vin will give you the perfect ideas.
Tips
- Cut your chicken into 1-inch pieces for easy eating.
- Don't overcook your vegetables. They should be tender, not mushy.
- Remember that you want to cook the ketchup and vegetables at the end just long enough to heat the dish through to avoid overcooking everything.
FAQ
It's a chicken recipe made with peppers, onions, garlic, and chicken that is then cooked in ketchup to form a simple sauce.
Red chicken is a Chinese dish featuring breaded, fried chicken served in a red sauce. Ketchup chicken is an extremely simplified, Americanized version of this dish.
For recipes like this that use cubed chicken, you'll know it's down when the outside is nicely golden brown. The best way to tell, however, is to use a meat thermometer. Chicken is fully cooked at 165 degrees.
Easy Red Chicken Video
We were so excited to make this video to show you just how easy this Easy Red Chicken dish is to make! Perfect for any night of the week!
More Chicken Recipes
Do you like chicken breast? Here some recipes you may also like to try.
Easy Red Chicken Recipe
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Easy Red Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast or thigh, boneless, skinless, cut into ½- to 1-inch chunks
- ½ cup flour, more or less as needed
- 4 tablespoons oil
- salt
- pepper
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1-2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, sliced optional
- 1 pepper, any color, sliced optional
- 2 cups mushrooms, fresh, sliced optional
Instructions
- If using vegetables, place 2 tablespoons of oil in to the skillet and allow to heat until your oil shimmers or a drop of water flicked in it dances. Add onions, mushrooms and peppers. Stir for between 5 and 7 minutes or until tender. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Heat about 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Wait until your oil shimmers or a drop of water flicked in it dances.
- In the meantime, while your oil heats, cut your chicken into chunks and throw it into a medium sized bowl. Add flour and toss to coat chicken pieces.
- Add chicken to the skillet and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook and adjust chicken until lightly browned.
- Reduce heat to medium to medium low. Add garlic and stir for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add ketchup and stir until ketchup starts to bubble. Ketchup will darken slightly. This is a good thing. Add vegetables if using and give them a moment to reheat. Serve on rice or pasta. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
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- Cut your chicken into 1-inch pieces for easy eating.
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- Don't overcook your vegetables. They should be tender, not mushy.
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- Remember that you want to cook the ketchup and vegetables at the end just long enough to heat the dish through to avoid overcooking everything.
Nutrition
Teresa says
We loved it. Will be making again.
Karin and Ken says
Glad to hear you enjoyed it! So easy and surprisingly delicious! Take care and all the best. Karin
Stephen G MCNUTT says
Added mushrooms. Didn't have minced garlic, so used garlic powder. It turned out awesome.
Karin and Ken says
Glad to hear you enjoyed it. Might just try that myself. All the best. Karin
Jean says
So easy. Added onions and peppers. Kids and hubby loved it. Thank you. Will be making this again.
Karin and Ken says
It is delicious with the onions and peppers too! So happy to hear you all enjoyed it! It is so quick and easy to throw together! All the best. Karin