sweet and Sour Chicken

6 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts and/or thighs
4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup honey (or less)
1 cup canned pineapple chunks plus 1/4 cup pineapple juice
3 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
2 teaspoons light brown sugar (or less)
1 large garlic clove, finely grated
1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 medium green or red bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, sliced into 1" pieces
1 scallion, thinly sliced
Cooked white or brown rice (for serving)

Whisk cornstarch, pepper, and 1 1/2 tsp. salt in a large bowl. Pat chicken dry and cut into 1" chunks. Add to cornstarch mixture and toss to coat.

Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over high. Add half of chicken and cook, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and a light brown crust forms, about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, stir vinegar, honey, pineapple juice, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and remaining 1/4 tsp. salt in a medium bowl.

Transfer cooked chicken to a plate or bowl. Heat remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in skillet and cook remaining chicken, turning occasionally, 3 minutes. Add onion and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened and chicken is cooked through, about 2 minutes more. Add sauce to skillet along with pineapple chunks and first batch of chicken. Toss well to coat in sauce and continue to cook until sauce is reduced and thickened, 1–2 minutes more.

Divide chicken mixture among plates and top with scallion. Serve with rice alongside.