Very Special Sweet and Sour Chicken with Special Fried Rice…

The first time my dear friend Lauren made her family’s Sweet & Sour Chicken for me, it changed my life. And honestly, I think she regrets it. It quickly became a dish of legend in our circle—the kind of meal so good that when Lauren would ask what we wanted for dinner, there was only ever one answer. Well, two answers: the Very Famous Sweet & Sour Chicken and her fabulous Lemonade Cake. (One day, I hope to pry that recipe out of her, too.)

During a recent visit to Kansas City, Lauren made the grave mistake of asking me what I wanted for our Sunday dinner. Obviously, I answered with Sweet & Sour Chicken—and she, after much sighing and eye-rolling, agreed. But there was one condition: I had to play sous chef.

Now, let me tell you, this dish is not for the faint of heart. It is a true labor of love. Between the chopping, grating, stirring, and occasional dramatic waiting, the prep alone takes a good chunk of your day. But every single second is worth it. It’s one of those meals that demands your time, your effort, and perhaps the sacrifice of a clean kitchen.

We cooked at Libby’s house (Lauren’s sister), donned our aprons, and got to work. The husbands hovered in the background—and a few hours later, we triumphantly placed the finished dish on the table. Five of us sat down, dug in, and happily over-indulged to the point of aching tummies. A noble sacrifice for such a beloved family favorite.

When I asked Lauren and Libby for permission to share the recipe with you, they laughed and said, “Sure! We don’t even know where it came from.” So while its origins remain a mystery (perhaps a handwritten family recipe, perhaps copied from a neighbor in 1984), the joy it brings is very real.

And now, I’m beyond excited to share this legendary Sweet & Sour Chicken with you. Just be warned—once you make it, you’ll have friends demanding it forever. Just ask Lauren.