Firecracker Chicken Meatballs
This recipe creates succulent ground chicken meatballs coated in a vibrant, sweet-and-spicy firecracker sauce. Combining savory chicken with a bold glaze featuring hot sauce, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar, these meatballs offer a delightful balance of flavors and are perfect as an appetizer or a main course.
Equipment
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl For combining meatball ingredients.
- 1 Baking Sheet Lined with parchment paper for baking meatballs.
- 1 Medium Saucepan For preparing the firecracker sauce.
- 1 Whisk To ensure a smooth, well-combined sauce.
- 1 Measuring Spoons and Cups For accurate ingredient portions.
Ingredients
Main
- * 1 3/4 - 2 pound ground chicken
- * 4 teaspoon minced garlic
- * 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- * 1 teaspoon pepper
- * 2 large egg
- * 1 cup panko breadcrumb*
- * 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- * 1 teaspoon onion powder
- firecracker sauce:
- * 1/2 cup hot sauce i recommend frank
- * 1 cup light brown sugar
- * 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- * 1/4 teaspoon salt
- * 1/4- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flake depending on spice preference
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, minced garlic, salt, pepper, eggs, panko breadcrumbs, paprika, and onion powder. Mix gently until just combined; avoid overmixing.
- Using a small scoop or your hands, form the chicken mixture into uniform meatballs, about 1-1.5 inches in diameter.
- Arrange the meatballs in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching.
- Bake the meatballs for 18-22 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly golden brown.
- While the meatballs bake, prepare the firecracker sauce: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the hot sauce, light brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, and red pepper flakes.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce has thickened slightly, about 5-7 minutes.
- Once the meatballs are cooked, carefully transfer them to the saucepan with the firecracker sauce.
- Gently toss the meatballs in the sauce until they are thoroughly coated.
- Serve immediately, garnished with chopped scallions or sesame seeds, if desired.
Notes
Achieve truly tender meatballs by avoiding overmixing the ground chicken; combine until just incorporated to prevent a tough texture. For an extra layer of flavor and a beautiful crust, consider pan-searing the meatballs briefly in a hot skillet with a touch of oil before baking. When making the firecracker sauce, taste and adjust the brown sugar and red pepper flakes to balance the sweetness and heat to your preference. A splash of soy sauce or a hint of ginger can add further complexity to the sauce. Serve these delicious meatballs over steamed rice or with a side of blanched greens for a complete meal.