Sweet & sour chicken balls

Looking for a taste of authentic Saskatoon Chinese food in your own kitchen? Try this easy, restaurant-style Sweet & Sour Chicken Balls recipe—a crispy, juicy, and tangy delight that rivals your favorite local Chinese restaurant.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of Dragon Emperor Dim Sum, one of the most popular Chinese restaurants in Saskatoon, or just exploring new flavors at home, this recipe brings iconic takeout comfort to your plate.

Ingredients

• 125g plain flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 eggs
• 160ml semi-skimmed milk
• 1 tbsp groundnut oilplus extra for deep-frying
• 4 chicken breastscut into 3cm cubes

For the sweet & sour sauce

• 240ml orange juice
• 3 tbsp caster sugar
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 3 tbsp cornflour, mixed with 6 tbsp water

Method

• step 1First, make the sauce. Put the orange juice, sugar, tomato purée, ketchup and vinegar in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 mins. Slowly pour in the cornflour mixture, a little at a time, stirring continuously until you have the desired consistency. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• step 2Mix the flour, baking powder and 1 tsp salt together in a large bowl. Beat the eggs, milk and 1 tbsp oil together in a separate bowl. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix well to create a smooth paste. Add the chicken pieces and mix, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated.
• step 3Fill a deep saucepan or wok no more than a third full with oil and heat to 170C, or until a cube of bread dropped in browns within 30 seconds. Carefully lower the coated chicken pieces into the oil, one piece at a time, and fry in batches of five for about 5-6 mins each batch until golden brown and cooked through. If you have a food probe thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 78C. If you don’t have a thermometer, cut a chicken piece in half to ensure the juices run clear.
• step 4Drain the fried chicken on a wire rack set over a baking tray lined with kitchen paper, or on a plate lined with kitchen paper. Serve with the sweet & sour sauce for dipping.

Try It at Dragon Emperor Dim Sum!

Not in the mood to cook? Visit our Our Menu page to explore authentic Chinese cuisine in Saskatoon, including dim sum, noodles, and house-made sweet & sour favorites.

We’re proud to be one of the most recommended places for Chinese food in Saskatoon, with both dine-in and takeout options.

For a truly delicious experience, see why customers rate us highly on Google