If you’re craving something sweet, savory, and full of flavor, these sticky ginger chicken meatballs are the perfect choice! Juicy chicken meatballs coated in a rich, sticky ginger sauce create a mouthwatering combination that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re making a quick dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, sticky ginger chicken meatballs are easy to prepare and packed with bold flavor.
Method
Start by preparing the meatballs. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken with almond flour, grated ginger, chopped basil, grated carrot, sliced green onion, garlic powder, coconut aminos, fish sauce, sriracha, salt, and pepper. Mix everything gently with a spoon until the ingredients are just combined. Be sure not to overmix, as that could lead to tough meatballs.
Next, form the meatballs. To prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands, dampen them slightly using a little avocado oil works well. Scoop out portions of the mixture and roll them into 2-inch meatballs, placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. The damp hands will help you create perfectly shaped meatballs without too much mess.
Once the meatballs are ready, bake the meatballs in your preheated oven for about 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, switch your oven to broil and broil the meatballs for 1-2 minutes until they turn golden brown and crisp up on top. This step adds a deliciously crispy exterior. Once the meatballs are golden and cooked through, remove them from the oven and set them aside.
While the meatballs are baking, make the glaze. In a nonstick skillet, combine the coconut aminos, honey, rice vinegar, sriracha, grated ginger, garlic powder, and sesame oil. Set the skillet over medium-low heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow the glaze to cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. This is the point where the glaze becomes rich and flavorful, perfect for tossing the meatballs in.
Once the glaze is ready and the meatballs are baked, toss the meatballs in the glaze. Add the golden meatballs to the skillet with the glaze and gently toss them to coat them evenly. Let the meatballs sit in the glaze for a moment to soak up the flavors, and then remove from heat.Finally, serve your sticky glazed ginger chicken meatballs. Start by serving them over a bed of prepared rice jasmine rice works perfectly, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative. Pair them with steamed or roasted broccoli for a healthy, crunchy side. For a final touch, sprinkle sesame seeds on top for an added crunch and a bit of extra flavor.
Necessary Tools
- Large bowl for mixing the meatball ingredients
- Parchment-lined baking sheet
- Nonstick skillet for preparing the glaze
- Grater for fresh ginger and carrot
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Baking spatula for handling the meatballs
- Tongs or a spoon for tossing meatballs in the glaze
Sticky Ginger Chicken Meatballs: A Sweet and Spicy Weeknight Delight
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes30
minutes40
minutesIngredients
For the Meatballs:
1 lb ground chicken
1/4 cup almond flour
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup grated carrot (about 1 large carrot)
1/4 cup green onion, white and green parts, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp coconut aminos
2 tsp fish sauce
1-2 tbsp sriracha (adjust to your spice preference)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
For the Glaze:
1/2 cup coconut aminos
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1-2 tbsp sriracha
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp sesame oil
For Serving (optional):
Prepared rice
Steamed or roasted broccoli
Sesame seeds
Directions
- Prepare the Meatballs:
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, almond flour, grated ginger, chopped basil, grated carrot, sliced green onion, garlic powder, coconut aminos, fish sauce, sriracha, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture. - Form the Meatballs:
Using damp hands (I like to use a bit of avocado oil on my hands to prevent sticking), form the mixture into 2-inch meatballs. This helps prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands. Place the meatballs onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. - Bake the Meatballs:
Bake the meatballs in your preheated oven for 25 minutes, then broil them for 1-2 minutes to get them golden brown on top. The broiling step adds a nice crispy texture to the meatballs. Once they’re done, remove them from the oven. - Make the Glaze:
While the meatballs are baking, prepare the glaze. In a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, combine the coconut aminos, honey, rice vinegar, sriracha, grated ginger, garlic powder, and sesame oil. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 3-5 minutes, until the glaze thickens and coats the back of a spoon. - Toss the Meatballs in the Glaze:
Once the meatballs are cooked and golden, add them to the skillet with the glaze. Toss the meatballs to coat them evenly in the sticky, flavorful sauce. Once well-coated, remove from heat. - Serve:
Serve your sticky glazed ginger chicken meatballs over prepared rice, alongside steamed or roasted broccoli, and sprinkle with sesame seeds for an extra crunch. Enjoy every bite of this sweet, spicy, and savory dish!
Notes
- Be careful when broiling the meatballs, as they can burn quickly. Keep a close eye on them during the last 1-2 minutes.
- Don’t overmix the meatball mixture; just combine everything until it’s well incorporated. Overmixing can make the meatballs tough.
- The glaze thickens quickly, so make sure to simmer it gently, stirring occasionally, to avoid it becoming too sticky or burnt.
Serving Suggestions
- These meatballs pair wonderfully with a side of steamed broccoli or roasted veggies to balance out the richness of the glaze.
- Serve over jasmine rice or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
- For an added crunch, sprinkle sesame seeds or chopped peanuts on top.
- You can also enjoy these meatballs as an appetizer or snack at a party!
Fun Fact
Did you know that ginger has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal herb? It’s well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties and is great for digestion. So not only is this dish delicious, but it also brings a bit of health-boosting goodness to the table!
Conclusion
These Sticky Glazed Ginger Chicken Meatballs are the perfect combination of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. Whether you’re making them for a busy weeknight or a special dinner, they’re easy to prepare and packed with deliciousness. The best part? They’re gluten, dairy, and egg-free, making them suitable for a variety of diets. So go ahead, treat yourself to a batch of these tasty meatballs, and enjoy a meal that’s sure to impress everyone around the table!
