Description
These Honey Barbecue Chicken Meatballs are juicy and tender, perfectly coated in a sticky-sweet BBQ glaze with a delightful hint of honey. Made with ground chicken and simple pantry staples, they make a fantastic party appetizer, game day snack, or an easy weeknight dinner when served over rice or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Sauce
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
- Chopped parsley or green onion for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, finely chopped onion, milk, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix gently to avoid overworking the meat.
- Form Meatballs: Scoop and roll the mixture into 1 to 1½-inch balls. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes until the meatballs are fully cooked through and have a golden color.
- Prepare Sauce: While the meatballs are baking, combine barbecue sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3–4 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Coat Meatballs: Once the meatballs are done baking, transfer them to the saucepan or toss in a large bowl with the warm honey barbecue sauce ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the meatballs with chopped parsley or green onion and serve hot, ideal for appetizers or meals over rice or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- Use your favorite barbecue sauce variety to add smoky, spicy, or tangy flavors to the dish.
- For deeper flavor, consider simmering the meatballs in the sauce on the stovetop after baking.
- Cooked meatballs and sauce freeze well when stored separately and can be quickly reheated for convenience.
