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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

Scale
  • 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)

  • 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