Sweet And Sour Chicken Balls

Are you a fan of Chinese takeout? If so, then you’ve likely had sweet and sour chicken before. This popular dish combines crispy chicken with a tangy and sweet sauce, making it a crowd pleaser for any occasion.

However, have you ever tried sweet and sour chicken balls? These bite-sized delights take the classic dish to a whole new level, with juicy chicken pieces coated in a crispy shell and smothered in a flavorful sauce.

If you’re hosting a party or simply craving something delicious, sweet and sour chicken balls are the perfect treat to satisfy your taste buds. In this blog post, I will show what makes sweet and sour chicken balls so special and share a recipe so you can make them at home.

Sweet And Sour Chicken Balls

Here is a recipe for Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil, for frying
• Sweet and Sour Sauce (recipe below)

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and milk.
3. Dip the chicken cubes in the egg mixture, then coat them in the flour mixture.
4. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
5. Fry the chicken cubes in batches for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Serve immediately with Sweet and Sour Sauce.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine all of the ingredients.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
4. Serve immediately with Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls.

Tips:

• For a crispier chicken, double-fry the chicken balls. Fry them for 2-3 minutes per side the first time, then remove them from the oil and let them drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Heat the oil to a higher temperature, then fry the chicken balls for another 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
• You can use any type of fruit juice in the sweet and sour sauce. Pineapple juice is a traditional choice, but you can also use orange juice, apple juice, or grape juice.
• If you don’t have cornstarch, you can use all-purpose flour in the sweet and sour sauce. However, the sauce will not be as thick.
• Serve the sweet and sour chicken balls with rice or noodles.

What Are Some Serving Suggestions For Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls?

Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls can be served with rice or noodles. They can also be served as an appetizer or snack.

Here are some variations on the Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls recipe:

• You can use different types of meat in this recipe, such as pork, shrimp, or tofu.
• You can add different vegetables to the batter, such as carrots, bell peppers, or onions.
• You can make a different type of sweet and sour sauce by using different ingredients, such as pineapple juice, orange juice, or applesauce.

Nutritional Facts

Here are the nutritional facts for Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls:

Per serving (105g)

• Calories: 280
• Fat: 13g
• Saturated fat: 4g
• Cholesterol: 80mg
• Sodium: 475mg
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Sugar: 16g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 12g

% Daily Value

• Calories: 14%
• Fat: 22%
• Saturated fat: 20%
• Cholesterol: 27%
• Sodium: 20%
• Carbohydrates: 9%
• Sugar: 8%
• Fiber: 4%
• Protein: 20%

Cooking Time

The cooking time for Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls is 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the batter is golden brown.

Is Sweet And Sour Chicken Balls Healthy?

Sweet and sour chicken balls are not typically considered to be a healthy dish. They are typically deep-fried, which adds a lot of unhealthy fat to the dish. Additionally, the sweet and sour sauce is often high in sugar and calories. However, there are some ways to make sweet and sour chicken balls healthier. For example, you can bake or air fry the chicken instead of deep-frying it, and you can use a healthier sweet and sour sauce recipe. You can also serve the chicken balls with a side of vegetables to add some extra nutrients to the meal.

Health Benefits Of Sweet And Sour Chicken Balls

Here are some of the potential health benefits of sweet and sour chicken balls:

• Protein: Chicken is a good source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscle tissue.
• Vitamins and minerals: The sauce used to coat sweet and sour chicken balls can provide some vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, potassium, and iron.
• Low in saturated fat: If the chicken is cooked without added fat, such as deep-frying, sweet and sour chicken balls can be a low-fat option.

Here are some of the potential drawbacks of sweet and sour chicken balls:

• High in calories: Sweet and sour chicken balls are typically high in calories. A serving of sweet and sour chicken balls can contain over 300 calories.
• High in fat: Sweet and sour chicken balls are typically high in fat. A serving of sweet and sour chicken balls can contain over 10 grams of fat.
• High in sodium: Sweet and sour chicken balls are typically high in sodium. A serving of sweet and sour chicken balls can contain over 500 milligrams of sodium.

Conclusion

Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be enjoyed by anyone. If you’re looking for a quick meal to make for your family or a crowd-pleasing appetizer to serve at a party, this recipe is sure to satisfy.

The combination of tender chicken, crispy coating, and tangy-sweet sauce makes for a flavor explosion in every bite. Plus, with a few simple substitutions, you can easily customize this recipe to fit your dietary needs or preferences. So why not give it a try and impress your taste buds and your loved ones with this classic Chinese dish?

FAQS