Chinese Chicken Balls

Chinese Chicken Balls: A Simply Addictive Snack

Chinese Chicken Balls are a famous mouthwatering meal out there, especially in Chinese-American cuisine style. These chicken bites are typically served in a light batter and covered in a savory sweet and sour sauce — and finds a spot on Chinese takeout menus globally. Crispy on the outside and soft and succulent on the inside, Chinese Chicken Balls are often erroneously considered to be a restaurant only meal, so actually, you can cook up a wonderful batch of them at home easily. Served as an appetizer or main dish, they pack so much flavor they can fit the bill for anyone’s tastes.

Friday: The Origins of Chinese Chicken Balls

Chinese Chicken Balls : The history of Chinese Chicken Balls is rooted in the broader development of Chinese culinary culture beyond China, particularly in the United States and other Western nations. The Chinese immigrants who came to North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries began adjusting the traditional foods to local taste. Chinese-American dishes such as General Tso’s Chicken, Chop Suey, and Chicken Balls which are Chinese food served with American styles can be created through the combination of Chinese cooking techniques on American-style ingredients.

Although the origins of the dish are unknown, it is thought that Chinese Chicken Balls were invented in the United States, where fried foods were already quite common. The dish was based on Chinese-style deep-fried chicken but reconfigured to suit American tastes by adding a sweet and sour sauce, and it became a popular comfort-food staple.

Essential Ingredients For Chinese Chicken Balls

With just a few simple ingredients Chinese Chicken Balls quickly come together to make an absolutely delightful dish. All the ingredients can be easily sourced from most supermarkets, which is why this is a recipe that you can easily recreate at home. Below are the key components:

Chicken: Chicken is the most important ingredient in Chinese Chicken Balls. It is generally made with boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs. The chicken is diced into small, bite-size cubes, so it cooks rapidly and uniformly. Chicken thighs are preferred since they’re juicier and meatier, but if you want a leaner version, chicken breasts can work.

Batter: The batter that we use to coat the chicken is the key ingredient to get it that crispy texture. The batter typically consists of flour, cornstarch, egg and some water. The cornstarch helps lighten the coating for frying, making it crisp. Some recipes also add baking powder or soda to make the batter lighter and crispier.

Sweet and Sour Sauce: The sauce is what makes the dish. Sweet and sour sauce : Chinese chicken balls are usually served with a sweet and sour sauce which contains ingredients such as ketchup, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce and/or a bit of ginger or garlic. Master that balance of sweetness and sourness, and you’ll have the perfect glaze to coat those crispy chicken balls, play nice with them, but also makes them taste gorgeous and mouth-watering.

Seasonings: Simple seasonings — salt, pepper, and sometimes a sprinkle of garlic powder — are mixed in the chicken prior to frying. These spices add flavor to the chicken, and create a savory base to balance the sweetness in the sauce.

For Frying Oil: The cooking method used to prepare Chinese Chicken Balls is typically deep frying. Most usuyaki uses high-grade vegetable or canola oil for frying. The oil must be hot enough (350°F or 175°C) so that the chicken balls toast nicely outside but stays juicy inside.

Homemade Chinese Chicken Balls Recipe

It is easy to make Chinese Chicken Balls at home with just a few simple steps. Here’s a recipe that you can follow easily:

Ingredients:

• 500g boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup cold water
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup vinegar (white vinegar, rice vinegar)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)
• optional 1 tsp garlic, minced

Instructions:

Prepare the Chicken: Chop the chicken into small cubes, season with salt and pepper and set aside.

Make the Batter: Whisk the flour, cornstarch and egg together in a large bowl. Gradually add cold water to form a smooth batter. Take your batter which should ideally be thick enough that it’ll coat the pieces of chicken but not runny. Again, you can change the water amount to create the consistency you want.

Preparing the Oil: In a deep pan or wok, heat enough vegetable oil to cover the chicken balls. The oil needs to be about 350°F (175°C), You can check whether the oil is ready by dropping a little bit of batter into the pan — if it sizzles and rises to the surface, the oil is hot enough.

Step 7: Coat the Chicken Dip each piece of chicken into the batter while making sure that the batter is evenly coated.

Fry the Chicken: Add the battered chicken pieces to the hot oil, working in batches so the oil doesn’t get crowded. Deep fry the chicken balls for about 3-4 minutes, until golden and crispy. Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken balls from the oil and scatter them across a plate lined with paper towels to absorb extra oil.

Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce: In a small saucepan, whisk together the ketchup, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, ginger and garlic (if using). Reduce heat to medium and bring mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally until sauce is thickened and glossy. It normally requires around 5-7 minutes. Season with sugar or lemon juice to taste.

Mix it up and serve it: Once the chicken balls are fried and the sauce is prepared, coat the chicken balls in the sweet and sour sauce until well-coated. Or you can serve the sauce alongside for dipping.

Garnish and Serve: If desired, garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds. Serve hot with steamed rice or as an appetizer at your next meal.

Health Considerations

Although Chinese Chicken Balls are tasty, it is worth mentioning that they are usually deep-fried and therefore quite high in calories and also fat. If you want to make this dish a little more healthy, you can try to bake up the chicken balls in the oven rather than deep-fry them. Just dredge the chicken pieces in batter, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, and roast at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for 20 minutes or so, until golden and crispy.

If you’re counting calories, you can also use skinless chicken breasts and lower the amount of sugar in the sauce. You can also use low-sodium soy sauce to make it lower in salt.

Acadiana Chinese Chicken Balls:

Chinese Chicken Balls are most often served with the classic sweet and sour sauce but there are a few variations that cater to a whole range of palates:

General Tso’s Chicken Balls: If you want a bit spicier, more savory version, use General Tso’s sauce instead of sweet and sour sauce. Made with soy sauce, ginger, garlic and a bit of chili, this sauce makes the chicken balls taste zesty and bold.

Honey Garlic Chicken Balls: Other popular variations feature a honey garlic sauce, which is a mixture of honey, soy sauce and garlic with a bit of lemon or vinegar. This one is sweeter, with deep hearty flavor.

Orange Chicken Balls: A twist on the original, orange chicken balls are tossed in a bright orange sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, and fresh orange juice. This rendition has a new, ever-so-sweet flavor, with a kiss of citrus punch.

Crispy Chicken Balls with Sesame : Some recipes add toasted sesame seeds to the batter or sprinkle them on top after frying for extra crunch and flavor. The sesame seeds provide the chicken balls with a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor.

Conclusion

Chinese Chicken Balls are a classic dish that combine the crunchiness of chicken with an amazing sauce that is both savory and sweet. Whether you have them as an appetizer or main dish, they are a comforting, flavored filled experience that brings people together. It’s home cooking that’s simple — chop a few ingredients and stir — and very delicious: You can work with this dish at home, with whatever sauces tickle your fancy. Perfect as an appetizer or light meal, these Chinese Chicken Balls with their versatile goodness and flavourful crunch, are a classic crowd-favourite! So, the next time you find yourself in the mood for something savory and satisfying, why not give Chinese Chicken Balls a shot?

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