These homemade honey garlic chicken meatballs are a family-favorite dinner, perfect for serving with rice or noodles.
They’re incredibly simple to prepare, making them an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you need a delicious and satisfying meal on the table fast. The sweet and savory glaze coats every meatball, ensuring a burst of flavor in every bite that even picky eaters will adore.
This recipe focuses on ease and accessibility, using common ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. You won’t need any fancy equipment or advanced cooking skills to master these tender, juicy meatballs. Get ready to add a new staple to your dinner rotation that promises smiles all around the table.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Honey Garlic Chicken Meatballs
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 20-24 meatballs 1x
Description
These homemade honey garlic chicken meatballs are a family-favorite dinner, perfect for serving with rice or noodles. They’re incredibly simple to prepare, making them an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you need a delicious and satisfying meal on the table fast. The sweet and savory glaze coats every meatball, ensuring a burst of flavor in every bite that even picky eaters will adore. This recipe focuses on ease and accessibility, using common ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. You won’t need any fancy equipment or advanced cooking skills to master these tender, juicy meatballs. Get ready to add a new staple to your dinner rotation that promises smiles all around the table.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, finely chopped yellow onion, 2 minced garlic cloves (for meatballs), 1 tablespoon soy sauce (for meatballs), milk, salt, and black pepper. Use your hands to gently mix until all ingredients are just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough meatballs.
2. Form the Meatballs: Lightly dampen your hands with water to prevent sticking. Roll the mixture into 1-inch to 1.5-inch meatballs. Aim for uniform size so they cook evenly. You should get about 20-24 meatballs from one pound of ground chicken.
3. Cook the Meatballs: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil or vegetable oil in a large skillet or non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place the meatballs into the pan, ensuring not to overcrowd it. You may need to cook them in two batches. Brown the meatballs on all sides, turning them occasionally, until they are golden brown and mostly cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the cooked meatballs from the pan and set them aside on a plate.
4. Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce: In the same skillet (no need to clean it), reduce the heat to medium. Add the honey, 1/4 cup soy sauce (for sauce), rice vinegar, sesame oil, 2 minced garlic cloves (for sauce), and grated fresh ginger (if using). Whisk well to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
5. Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Pour this cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce, whisking constantly. Continue to whisk and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce thickens to a glossy, syrupy consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
6. Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet, gently tossing them in the thickened honey garlic sauce until they are fully coated. Ensure the meatballs are heated through and thoroughly glazed.
7. Serve and Garnish: Transfer the honey garlic chicken meatballs to a serving platter. Garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired, for an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal. Serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: pan-fried
- Cuisine: asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
Keywords: chicken meatballs, honey garlic, weeknight dinner, easy recipe, family friendly, sweet and savory, ground chicken, quick meal, asian inspired, dinner
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a true lifesaver for anyone looking for a quick, flavorful, and family-friendly meal. It’s perfect for busy parents, new cooks, or anyone who wants a delicious dinner without a lot of fuss. The honey garlic sauce is universally appealing, striking that perfect balance between sweet and savory that makes it a hit with both kids and adults. You can serve these meatballs as a standalone main course, as part of a larger buffet, or even as an appetizer for a casual get-together. They come together quickly, making them an excellent choice for weeknight dinners after school or work, but they’re also special enough for a relaxed weekend meal. The ground chicken keeps them lighter than traditional beef or pork meatballs, and the homemade sauce is far superior to anything store-bought.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients ahead of time makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable. You’ll find that most of these items are pantry staples, ensuring you can whip up this meal even on short notice. Don’t worry if you need to make a few substitutions; this recipe is quite forgiving.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (for meatballs)
- 1/4 cup milk (any kind)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (for meatballs)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (for sauce)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce)
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (optional, for sauce)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil, for cooking
- Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
- Sliced green onions, for garnish (optional)
For the ground chicken, you can use either ground chicken breast or a mix of dark and white meat. The mix tends to be a bit juicier. If you don’t have plain breadcrumbs, seasoned breadcrumbs will work, just be mindful of the added salt. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs. Any type of milk will do, from whole to skim, or even a non-dairy alternative like almond milk. When it comes to soy sauce, a low-sodium version is always a good choice if you’re watching your salt intake. For the honey, any variety will work, but a lighter-colored honey will give a more classic honey garlic flavor. If you don’t have rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar can be a decent substitute in a pinch, though it will alter the flavor slightly.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for those busy weeknights.
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 15-20 minutes
- Total time: 30-35 minutes
These times are estimates and can vary slightly depending on how quickly you chop and mix, and the size of your meatballs. The goal is to get a delicious, hot meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Making these honey garlic chicken meatballs is straightforward. Follow these steps for perfectly cooked, flavorful results every time.
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, finely chopped yellow onion, 2 minced garlic cloves (for meatballs), 1 tablespoon soy sauce (for meatballs), milk, salt, and black pepper. Use your hands to gently mix until all ingredients are just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough meatballs.
- Form the Meatballs: Lightly dampen your hands with water to prevent sticking. Roll the mixture into 1-inch to 1.5-inch meatballs. Aim for uniform size so they cook evenly. You should get about 20-24 meatballs from one pound of ground chicken.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil or vegetable oil in a large skillet or non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place the meatballs into the pan, ensuring not to overcrowd it. You may need to cook them in two batches. Brown the meatballs on all sides, turning them occasionally, until they are golden brown and mostly cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the cooked meatballs from the pan and set them aside on a plate.
- Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce: In the same skillet (no need to clean it), reduce the heat to medium. Add the honey, 1/4 cup soy sauce (for sauce), rice vinegar, sesame oil, 2 minced garlic cloves (for sauce), and grated fresh ginger (if using). Whisk well to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Pour this cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce, whisking constantly. Continue to whisk and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce thickens to a glossy, syrupy consistency that coats the back of a spoon.
- Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Return the cooked meatballs to the skillet, gently tossing them in the thickened honey garlic sauce until they are fully coated. Ensure the meatballs are heated through and thoroughly glazed.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the honey garlic chicken meatballs to a serving platter. Garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired, for an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal. Serve immediately.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
These honey garlic chicken meatballs are incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can make the meatballs slightly smaller and serve them with toothpicks as mini appetizers. If your kids aren’t keen on ginger, feel free to omit it from the sauce.
When it comes to serving, the possibilities are endless. They are fantastic over a bed of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option. Noodles are another excellent pairing; think ramen noodles, lo mein, or even simple spaghetti. For a more complete meal, you can add steamed or stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers directly into the pan with the meatballs during the last few minutes of cooking, allowing them to get coated in the delicious sauce.
These meatballs also make a wonderful addition to a party or buffet spread. Keep them warm in a slow cooker on a “warm” setting, and provide small forks or toothpicks for easy grabbing. You can also serve them in lettuce cups for a fresh and crunchy meal, or even tucked into slider buns for a fun sandwich option. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes can add a touch of heat for those who enjoy a little spice.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for will help you achieve perfect honey garlic chicken meatballs every time.
One common mistake is overmixing the meatball mixture. This can lead to tough, dense meatballs. To avoid this, mix the ingredients gently with your hands until they are just combined, and stop as soon as there are no dry spots.
Another slip-up is overcrowding the pan when cooking the meatballs. If you put too many meatballs in the skillet at once, the temperature of the pan drops, and the meatballs will steam instead of brown. This results in pale, less flavorful meatballs. Cook them in batches if necessary, ensuring there’s enough space between each one for proper browning.
Not cooking the meatballs through is another issue. While they will finish cooking in the sauce, it’s important to get them mostly cooked in the initial browning stage. You want them to be golden brown on the outside and no longer pink in the center before adding the sauce. An instant-read thermometer should register 165°F (74°C) when inserted into the center of a meatball.
Finally, not whisking the cornstarch slurry properly or adding it too quickly can result in a lumpy sauce. Always whisk cornstarch with cold water until completely smooth before adding it to a hot liquid. Pour it in slowly while continuously whisking the sauce to ensure a smooth, glossy finish.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
These honey garlic
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
