Description
These Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Meatballs are a deliciously flavorful and easy-to-make dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or as a shareable appetizer. Featuring tender ground chicken meatballs baked to perfection and coated in a sticky, sweet, and spicy honey garlic sauce, this recipe balances savory and heat with a touch of sweetness for an irresistible bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional)
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1-2 tsp chili flakes (depending on desired spice level)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger (optional)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, chopped green onions (if using), onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Shape Meatballs: Form the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the meatballs for 15-18 minutes, or until they are fully cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Prepare the Sauce: While the meatballs bake, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and grated fresh ginger (if using) and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chili flakes. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, stir in the cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water) and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
- Coat the Meatballs: Once the meatballs are baked, transfer them to the skillet with the sauce and gently toss to evenly coat each meatball with the spicy honey garlic sauce.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs hot as an appetizer or over rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables for a satisfying main course.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or ground oats.
- Adjust chili flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Using panko breadcrumbs adds extra crunch, but feel free to use regular breadcrumbs if preferred.
- Make sure the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 165°F (75°C) to ensure they are fully cooked.
- The sauce can be prepared while the meatballs are baking to save time.
