Pineapple Chicken or Pork Balls

Elevate your dinner table with these irresistibly sweet and savory Pineapple Chicken or Pork Balls! Perfect as an appetizer or served over a bed of steamed rice, this recipe features tender meatballs made from ground chicken or pork infused with aromatic ginger, garlic, and green onions. Rolled in panko breadcrumbs for a satisfying crunch, these golden-brown bites are coated in a tangy pineapple glaze crafted with ketchup, brown sugar, and a splash of rice vinegar for a perfect balance of flavors. The addition of juicy pineapple chunks takes this dish to the next level, delivering a tropical twist to a comforting classic. Quick to prepare and packed with bold, vibrant flavors, this crowd-pleasing recipe is an excellent choice for family dinners or festive gatherings.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 g ground chicken or pork
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 2 stalks green onions, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 cup pineapple chunks, drained (reserve juice)
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken or pork, panko breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, grated ginger, green onions, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.

Step 2

Mix the ingredients thoroughly until well combined.

Step 3

Form the mixture into 1-inch balls and set them on a plate.

Step 4

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the meatballs in batches for 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together pineapple juice (reserved from canned pineapple), cornstarch, ketchup, brown sugar, and rice vinegar to create the glaze.

Step 6

In the same skillet, pour the glaze mixture and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens, about 2–3 minutes.

Step 7

Add the cooked meatballs and pineapple chunks to the skillet, tossing to coat them evenly in the glaze.

Step 8

Allow the meatballs to simmer in the glaze for 2–3 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Step 9

Garnish with additional chopped green onions, if desired, and serve hot as an appetizer or over steamed rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1010.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1520.2

Total Fat 77.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 649.5mg	0%
Sodium 2774.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 109.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.4g	0%
Total Sugars 57.0g
Protein 104.3g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 187.4mg	0%
Iron 9.2mg	0%
Potassium 1592.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.1%

Protein: 26.9%

Carbs: 28.1%