Crispy chicken balls

Crispy chicken balls are made with chunks of tender chicken breasts, deep-fried in a tooth-shatteringly crispy batter. Dip them in a tangy sweet and sour sauce for an authentic Chinese fakeaway treat!

📝 Ingredients

• 2 large chicken breast fillets
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 1/2 cups / 210 grams self-raising flour (or add 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder to plain flour)
• 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup / 120 ml milk
• 1/2 cup / 120 ml water
• 2 to 3 cups sunflower oil (or neutral-flavoured vegetable oil)
• 1/4 cup / 60 ml water (as needed)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Cut the chicken breasts into evenly-sized pieces (approximately one and a half inches or 3 centimetres). Coat with salt and white pepper and stir in the sesame oil.
2. 2Tip all the ingredients for the batter into a mixing bowl and whisk until the batter is smooth and free from lumps.
3. 3Check the consistency of the batter - it should have a thick coating consistency. If the batter is too thick add the additional water a little at a time until the right consistency is reached.
4. 4Stir the chicken pieces into the batter, cover the dish with a lid or plastic wrap and leave it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
5. 5Heat the oil in a wok or large saucepan and once it is hot add the chicken pieces one at a time. Fry for 4 to 5 minutes, turning the balls occasionally until they turn golden brown, and the chicken is cooked through. See Tips in the notes section.
6. 6Remove the cooked chicken balls from the batter and drain on kitchen paper towel.
7. 7Serve hot with sweet and sour dipping sauce.