Potluck Polynesian Chicken

1 cup buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
3 to 4 pounds chicken pieces
1 cup peanut oil
1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks in juice
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
1 medium green bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
Cooked rice, optional

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
2. Pour buttermilk into a shallow bowl. Combine flour, salt and pepper in a separate shallow bowl. Dip chicken in buttermilk and dredge in flour mixture.
3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned; transfer to baking pan.
4. Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Add enough water to equal 1½ cups liquid.
5. Combine sugar and cornstarch in a medium saucepan. Add pineapple liquid, vinegar, soy sauce and ginger. Stir until cornstarch is completely dissolved. Bring to a boil and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour over chicken.
6. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes. Add pineapple and green pepper strips. Bake 15 minutes longer, or until chicken is tender and no longer pink in the center. Serve over rice, if using. Serves 8.

Tips From Our Test Kitchen: Skinless, boneless chicken thighs and breasts may be used, if desired.

Nutritional facts per serving: 420 calories, 13g fat, 39g protein, 35g carbohydrates, 1g fiber, 500mg sodium.