Firecracker Chicken Meatballs

Super juicy, flavorful chicken meatballs with a sticky brown sugar glaze! These meatballs make a delicious, fast and no-fuss weeknight dinner. Serve as lettuce wraps, over pasta or rice, or as two-bite party appetizers!

Let’s make dinnertime fun again, shall we?

I get in ruts like the rest of us, but since I’m always daydreaming about dinner, it’s never long until inspiration strikes. So, I’m back to help you out with a delicious new recipe! Another one to add to your weeknight menu, and a fun, zesty little something new to try.

Get ready to dive in!

These saucy, sticky chicken meatballs totally turned dinnertime on its head last week. They came together so easily, with just a handful of ingredients, but packed a MAJOR flavor punch! And, isn’t there just something so fun about meatballs? Small bites mean that you can have more… is what I tell myself.

Ready to make your own Firecracker Chicken Meatballs?

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

• For the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, salt, pepper, onion powder and paprika. Mix with your hands, until well combined.

• Scoop mixture into 2-Tablespoon-sized balls, shaping with your hands. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until meatballs are completely cooked.

• For the Firecracker Sauce: In a small saucepan, whisk hot sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to low and let simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Let sauce cool slightly (it will thicken as it cools).

• Dip each individual meatball into sauce, and place on a baking sheet or wire rack. Or, brush meatballs with the sauce. Serve warm as-is, or as lettuce wraps.

Keep reading for full ingredient list + recipe, below

Craving more mouthwatering, easy meatball recipes? Try these!

• Lighter Swedish Meatballs

• Slow Cooker Turkey Pesto Meatballs & Marinara

• Chicken Marsala Meatballs

• Mini Meatball Subs with Provolone and Basil

• Cheesy Garlic Bread Meatball Sliders

I mean, get outta here with this glaze! Zesty, sticky, sweet and salty with a little kick. It knocked me out! These juicy meatballs smothered in a sauce so good, will have you never making meatballs any other way.

I absolutely loved serving these as lettuce wraps for dinner – low carb, healthy, wholesome, and pleasing for all ages (even the picky ones)! However, you could also serve these over rice, pasta, potatoes, or a leafy green salad. Stick ’em with skewers or toothpicks for an easy appetizer, too.

Such a versatile and fun recipe for weeknights and anytime guests! I guarantee you will love these.

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Firecracker Chicken Meatballs

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

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Ingredients

For the Chicken Meatballs:

• 1 lb. ground chicken or turkey
• 3/4 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

For the Firecracker Sauce:

• 1/2 cup hot sauce , (recommended: Franks Red Hot)
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste

For serving (optional):

• Green leaf lettuce leaves, for lettuce wraps

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

For the Meatballs:

1. In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients. Mix with your hands, until well combined.
2. Scoop mixture into 2-Tablespoon-sized balls, shaping with your hands. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until meatballs are completely cooked.

For the Firecracker Sauce:

1. In a small saucepan, whisk together all sauce ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to low and let simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Let sauce cool slightly (it will thicken as it cools).
2. Dip each individual meatball into sauce, and place on a baking sheet or wire rack. Or, brush meatballs with the sauce. Serve warm as-is, or as lettuce wraps.
3. Enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?

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