These sweet and sour meatballs are made with lean and protein packed chicken meatballs and our homemade healthier sweet and sour sauce. Instead of reaching for the Chinese takeaway menu, try making this super easy and lighter alternative to a takeaway favourite.
We love ordering a takeaway, but we try to make our own versions as often as possible, and this is one of our favourites. Meatballs are total comfort food, and this is a nice twist on the usual spaghetti and meatballs.
We love all things sweet and sour and are always looking for ways to use our homemade sauce and it goes perfectly smothered over these juicy and tender meatballs.
Looking for other meatball recipes? Why not try our light and juicy Chicken Ricotta Meatballs, quick Air Fryer Meatballs, traditional Spanish Meatballs, sinple Slow Cooker Meatballs or our lean Turkey Meatballs.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Chicken breast - This recipe uses homemade chicken meatballs made with lean chicken breast, however you could use store bought meatballs if you wanted to save some time.
- Shallots - These add a bit of extra texture to the meatballs, and some sweetness too. However you could swap it for half a small onion.
- Chinese five spice - This Asian seasoning is a mixture that consists of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Szechuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds. You could make it yourself, but we buy a good quality one to save time.
- Garlic cloves - You could crush these fresh yourself, or use a spoonful of lazy garlic in a jar.
- Ginger - If you find yourself always wasting ginger, then you could freeze it and then grate it frozen straight into the dish.
- Egg - This will help to bind the meatballs.
- Panko breadcrumbs - Breadcrumbs also help to bind the meatballs, however using panko also helps them to get nice and crispy. You could swap the panko for regular breadcrumbs though.
- Green pepper - This adds a nice crunch to the whole dish, however you can use any colour bell pepper.
- Pineapple - These adds lots of sweetness, and is a must in any sweet and sour dish. You can use fresh, or a can of pineapple.
- Sesame oil - This adds lots of flavour to the dish, however you could use vegetable, sunflower or olive oil instead.
- Sweet and sour sauce - We used our own homemade sweet and sour sauce, however you could use a good quality store bought one instead.
More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.
How to Make Sweet and Sour Meatballs - Step by Step
Prep: Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
- Step 1: Grind the chicken breasts up. Add to a bowl with shallots, five spice, garlic and ginger (a). Add the egg, panko and salt and pepper (b).
- Step 2: Mix well and form into meatballs. Refrigerate for 15 mins. Put onto a baking tray (a). Bake for 12-15 mins until cooked through (b).
- Step 3: Heat oil in a pan and add the peppers and cook for 4 mins. Add the cooked meatballs, pineapple and sweet and sour sauce. Heat through.
- Step 4: Serve over rice topped with sesame seeds and spring onions (scallions).
Homemade Chicken Meatballs
You can go the easier route and use really good quality ready made meatballs from the supermarket or butchers, however we really recommend making your own following this recipe, as the meatballs themselves have loads of extra flavour in them.
Packed with Chinese five spice and plenty of garlic and ginger, these homemade meatballs pack a serious flavour punch. We have also added some panko breadcrumbs to make them a little bit crispy.
Sweet and Sour Sauce
If you love a Chinese takeaway, then you need to try making your own Sweet and Sour Sauce. It's is much easier than you think and in less than 10 minutes, using ingredients you probably already have in your cupboard, you have yourself a deliciously smooth sauce that you can use for so many recipes, or just as a dip.
We use passata instead of ketchup and honey to sweeten it, so it is lower in salt and sugar than a store bought sauce. However, you could swap it for a really good quality store bought sweet and sour sauce if you would prefer.
Serving Suggestions
There are lots of options when it comes to how to serve these sweet and sour meatballs. You could serve them up as mini meatballs with sticks in them for party food or if you want them as a main meal then they go well with noodles or rice. Try our Perfect Microwave Rice, Oven Cooked Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice.
Why not try making our Healthy Egg Fried Rice to go with them?
Extra Tips
- You could make this spicier by adding a sprinkling of red chilli flakes before serving.
- To make sure you have even sized meatballs (this will help them all to cook evenly), use an ice cream scoop to scoop out the mixture.
- Once you have rolled the meatballs into ball shape, put them in the fridge for 30 minutes - this will help them to keep their shape when they are baking in the oven.
- You can swap the chicken breast for boneless and skinless chicken thighs when making the meatballs - they will be much juicier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can freeze this recipe. Wait for it to fully cook and then store in an air tight container and it will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. It will also keep fresh in the fridge for 2-3 days.
You can either reheat this in the microwave or on the hob until heated through. You could also put them in a preheated oven for around 10 minutes.
Yes, this works really well in a slow cooker. You will need to fry the meatballs first, to brown the outside of them and then put them in the slow cooker with the sweet and sour sauce. Cook on high for 3 hours.
We baked the meatballs for a healthier twist, however there is no reason why they couldn't be fried - they would get nice and crispy that way. Just make sure to use a meat thermometer to make sure that they are cooked all the way through.
More Chinese Recipes
If you’ve tried this Sweet and Sour Meatball recipe, then let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Ingredients
- 300 g (10.5 oz) Chicken breast - ground in to mince
- 2 portion Homemade sweet and sour sauce
- 3 Shallots - finely diced
- 0.5 teaspoon Chinese five spice
- 2 Garlic clove - crushed
- 30 g Fresh ginger - grated
- 1 Egg
- 50 g (0.75 cups) Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper
- 1 Green bell pepper - chopped
- 100 g (0.5 cups) Pineapple chunks
- 1 tablespoon Sesame oil
- Sesame seeds - (for serving)
- Spring onion (Scallion) - (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6.
- Grind 300 g Chicken breast into mince.
- Add the chicken mince to a bowl with 3 Shallots, 0.5 teaspoon Chinese five spice, 2 Garlic clove, 30 g Fresh ginger, 1 Egg, 50 g Panko breadcrumbs and 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper.
- Mix well and then form into meatballs. Refrigerate for 15 mins.
- Put the meatballs on a baking tray and bake for 12-15 mins until cooked through.
- Heat 1 tablespoon Sesame oil in a pan and add 1 Green bell pepper and cook for 4 mins. Add the cooked meatballs, 100 g Pineapple chunks and 2 portion Homemade sweet and sour sauce. Heat through.
- Serve over rice topped with Sesame seeds and Spring onion (Scallion) (optional).
Recipe Tips
- You could make this spicier by adding a sprinkling of red chilli flakes before serving.
- To make sure you have even sized meatballs (this will help them all to cook evenly), use an ice cream scoop to scoop out the mixture.
- Once you have rolled the meatballs in to ball shape, put them in the fridge for 30 minutes - this will help them to keep their shape when they are baking in the oven.
- You can swap the chicken breast for boneless and skinless chicken thighs when making the meatballs - they will be much juicier.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Chris Collins says
I never thought of using meatballs with sweet and sour sauce! Looks so delicious!
Wayne says
My wife made this for dinner and it was so delicious! We loved this recipe! Can't wait to have this again!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
Sweet and sour is one of my favorite chinese dishes and your meatballs look so tender and flavorful! Can't wait to make this one!
Michelle says
Our family's favorite take-out in meatball form. You are genius!
Irina says
I am falling in love with this new favorite. I made it and cannot stop eating. The flavor and the taste are beyond delicious!
Beth says
My husband is going to love this recipe! I can't wait to give this a try! So excited!
Jen says
You’re definitely right about it being worth it to make your own meatballs. The flavor is just amazing!!
Kate says
Love all the flavours in these, great idea to make your own rather than reaching for the takeaway menu! Thanks for the recipe.
Jess says
I love that this sweet and sour sauce comes together in less than 10 minutes!
Gina says
Sweet and sour sauce is my favorite Chinese takeout item! Love that you can get all that flavor at home in a healthier version!
Alison says
This looks lovely. I never realized National Rice week was a thing. Will have to remember next year
Tandy I Lavender and Lime says
I cannot eat that late at night. Hope you meet some great people at the antenatal classes.