Chinese Chicken Bites with Sweet and Sour Sauce
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These Chinese Chicken Bites with Sweet and Sour Sauce are made from crispy golden chicken nuggets coated in a light, airy batter and served with a glossy sweet and sour sauce.
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Chinese Chicken Bites
Just like your favorite Chinese takeout, but made from scratch at home! These chicken bites have a crunchy exterior and tender inside. The sauce is tangy, slightly sweet, and sticky. It’s the perfect contrast to the crisp batter.
These chicken nuggets can be baked, pan-fried, or air-fried until cooked through and lightly golden on the outside. Keep the size even so they cook at the same rate. Serve them with rice. steamed vegetables, add them to a salad or red cabbage slaw, or tuck them into a wrap.
Cooking tips and substitutions
Chinese Chicken Bites are good for dinner, lunch, or meal prep. Make a batch and keep them on hand for easy meals during the week.
- For lighter cooking options, bake on a lined sheet or in an air fryer.
- Chicken thighs or turkey breast can be substituted for chicken breasts.
- You can use gluten-free flour in your Chinese Chicken Bites.
- Also, try tamari for soy sauce.
- Use cold water in the batter for a crispier result.
- Don’t overcrowd the oil when frying.
- Let the sauce simmer to fully develop flavor before thickening.
Chinese Chicken Bites FAQ
Here are answers to a few commonly asked questions.
Yes. Let them cool, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. Reheat in the oven or air fryer.
Do not overcook. Keep the size even so they cook evenly.
Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store chicken and sauce separately for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Use an oven or air fryer to crisp up the chicken. Reheat the sauce gently in a pan or in the microwave.
Freezer: Freeze uncooked battered chicken on a tray, then store it in a bag for up to 2 months.
Conclusion
- Chinese Chicken Bites feature crispy chicken nuggets with a tangy sweet and sour sauce, perfect for homemade takeout.
- You can bake, pan-fry, or air-fry the chicken nuggets for best results. Serve them with rice, vegetables, or in wraps.
- Substitutions include chicken thighs, turkey breast, gluten-free flour, and tamari for soy sauce.
- For storage, keep chicken and sauce separate; refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for 2 months.
- These versatile Chinese Chicken Bites are great for meal prep, making them ideal for easy weeknight dinners.
Here are a few more recipes to try
Chinese Chicken Curry
Easy Bourbon Balls Recipes
Chocolate Coated Banana Bread Cake Balls
EASY BAKED CHEESY CHICKEN
Oatmeal Peanut Butter Balls
Chinese Chicken Bites with Sweet and Sour Sauce
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Ingredients
For the Chicken Balls:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour 120g
- ½ cup cornstarch 60
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¾ cup cold water 180 m
- 1 pound chicken breast cut into bite-sized cubes, 450g
- Oil for deep frying about 2–3 cups, or enough to submerge
For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- ½ cup ketchup 120mL
- ¼ cup white vinegar 60 m
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- ¼ cup granulated sugar 50
- ¼ cup pineapple juice or water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tbsp water, for slurry
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Add cold water slowly until you get a thick, smooth batter.1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup cornstarch, 1 teaspoon baking powder, Salt and pepper to taste, ¾ cup cold water
- Dip each chicken piece into the batter, fully coating it.1 pound chicken breast
- Heat oil in a deep pot or pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken balls in batches for 4–5 minutes, or until golden and fully cooked inside. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.Oil for deep frying
- In a saucepan, combine ketchup, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, and pineapple juice. Bring to a simmer. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened, about 2–3 minutes.½ cup ketchup, ¼ cup white vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, ¼ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup pineapple juice, 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Serve chicken balls hot with the sauce on the side or pour it over the top. Garnish with sesame seeds or chopped scallions if desired.