Description
Deliciously tender and flavorful Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Meatballs baked to perfection and coated in a sticky, sweet, and spicy homemade honey garlic sauce. Perfect as an appetizer, party snack, or main dish served with rice or noodles.
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
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 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 and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray for easy cleanup.
- Make the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, green onions if using, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Shape Meatballs: Form the mixture into meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the Meatballs: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Prepare the Sauce: While the meatballs bake, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili flakes, minced garlic, and grated fresh ginger (if using) in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you like a thicker sauce, stir in the cornstarch-water mixture and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Combine: Once the meatballs are done, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the prepared honey garlic sauce over the meatballs and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs immediately, garnished with extra green onions, sesame seeds, or chopped cilantro if desired. They pair well with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use ground chicken with some fat content for juicier meatballs; lean chicken can result in drier texture.
- Panko breadcrumbs add extra crunch but regular breadcrumbs can be substituted.
- Adjust chili flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Make sure meatballs are cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safety.
- The sauce can be made ahead and reheated before serving.
- For gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a side salad to balance the meal.
