Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Meatballs Recipe
If you’re looking for a dish that’s equal parts sweet, savory, and spicy, you’ll absolutely love these Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Meatballs. They’re tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor—thanks to a sticky glaze that perfectly balances heat and sweetness. Whether you’re serving them as a crowd-pleasing party appetizer or an easy weeknight main course, these meatballs are destined to become a new favorite. Best of all, they come together quickly and use simple ingredients you probably already have on hand!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The real magic of Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Meatballs comes from a handful of straightforward ingredients. Each one plays a key role, building layers of flavor and creating that irresistible saucy finish. Here’s what you’ll need and why each is important:
- Ground chicken: Lean and mild, it soaks up all the spicy-sweet flavors without being heavy.
- Breadcrumbs: These keep the meatballs light and help them hold their shape as they bake.
- Egg: Acts as a binder to ensure the meatballs don’t fall apart.
- Garlic: Essential for both the meatballs and the sauce, bringing that bold, aromatic punch.
- Green onions: Add freshness and a gentle oniony bite to perk up the mix.
- Soy sauce: Deepens the umami flavor and seasons both the meatballs and the glaze.
- Ground ginger: Warms up the flavor profile with subtle spice and earthiness.
- Salt & black pepper: Classic seasonings that bring all the flavors into focus.
- Honey: The star of the sauce, providing a sticky sweetness that balances the heat.
- Rice vinegar: Adds a touch of tang to keep the sauce bright.
- Sriracha or chili garlic sauce: You control the spice level—go mild or make it fiery!
- Cornstarch + water: This quick slurry thickens the sauce just enough to coat every meatball.
How to Make Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Meatballs
Step 1: Make the Chicken Meatball Mixture
Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl and combining the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, green onions, soy sauce, ground ginger, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together just until combined—try not to overwork it, or the meatballs can get dense. The mixture should feel moist but hold together easily when shaped.
Step 2: Shape and Bake the Meatballs
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Scoop out about 1 ½ tablespoons of the mixture and roll it gently between your palms to form meatballs. Place each one on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a little apart. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until they’re golden on the outside and cooked through (shoot for an internal temperature of 165°F).
Step 3: Prepare the Spicy Honey Garlic Sauce
While the meatballs are baking, it’s time to whip up that irresistible glaze! In a small saucepan, combine the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and sriracha or chili garlic sauce. Bring everything to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once bubbling, stir in the cornstarch slurry (that’s just cornstarch mixed with water) and let it cook for a minute or two. The sauce should thicken just enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Step 4: Toss and Serve
Transfer the baked meatballs directly into the saucepan with your spicy honey garlic sauce, or pour the sauce over the meatballs in a large bowl. Gently toss to coat every meatball in that gorgeous sticky glaze. Serve them up hot, garnished with extra green onions or sesame seeds if you like a little extra flair!
How to Serve Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Meatballs
Garnishes
A final flourish of garnishes can turn your Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Meatballs into a restaurant-worthy dish. Sprinkle with thinly sliced green onions for color and crunch, and add a shower of toasted sesame seeds for a nutty finish. A few red pepper flakes look beautiful and add a hint more heat if you’re feeling bold.
Side Dishes
These meatballs are delicious over a bowl of fluffy steamed rice, but you can also pair them with tender noodles or tuck them into crisp lettuce wraps for a lighter option. Roasted or stir-fried veggies—like broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers—make the perfect colorful, healthy side to round out your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, skewer the Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Meatballs with toothpicks and serve them as bite-sized appetizers. You can also pile them on slider buns with a slaw for an Asian-inspired sandwich, or even toss them over a fresh salad for a zesty protein-packed lunch. However you serve them, they’re guaranteed to disappear fast!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Meatballs (though that’s a big if!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to 4 days. The sauce keeps the meatballs juicy, so they reheat beautifully for lunch or another quick dinner.
Freezing
These meatballs are fantastic for meal prep! After baking, let them cool completely, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag or container. You can also freeze the sauce separately. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the meatballs and sauce gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also microwave them in short bursts, but be sure to cover so the sauce doesn’t splatter. Add a splash of water if needed to loosen the glaze.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works just as well in this recipe and takes on all the flavors of the spicy honey garlic sauce. Just be sure to use a similar fat content to keep the meatballs moist.
How spicy are these Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Meatballs?
The heat level is easy to customize—use less sriracha for a milder kick or add more if you crave serious spice. You can also swap in your favorite chili sauce to suit your taste buds.
Can I make these meatballs gluten-free?
Yes! Just substitute gluten-free breadcrumbs and tamari or coconut aminos for the soy sauce. The results are just as delicious, with all the sweet and spicy goodness.
What’s the best way to keep the meatballs from sticking?
Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. If you don’t have parchment, a light brush of oil on the pan also works well.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Definitely! This recipe is easy to scale up. Just use a second baking sheet if needed, and make sure the meatballs aren’t too crowded so they bake evenly. The sauce can be doubled right in the saucepan.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend these Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Meatballs enough—they’re a total game changer for busy nights or casual gatherings. With their crave-worthy flavor and easy prep, they’re sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation. Give them a try and get ready for rave reviews from everyone at the table!
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Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Meatballs Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 18 meatballs 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and easy-to-make Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Meatballs baked to perfection and coated in a flavorful Asian-inspired sweet and spicy sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, these meatballs offer a great balance of savory, sweet, and heat with wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce:
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1–2 teaspoons sriracha or chili garlic sauce, to taste
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Prepare and bake the meatballs: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, chopped green onions, soy sauce, ground ginger, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Using your hands or a scoop, form the mixture into 1 ½-inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the meatballs are golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Make the sauce: While the meatballs bake, combine the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and sriracha in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
- Coat the meatballs: Once the meatballs are done baking, transfer them to a large bowl and pour the warm sauce over them. Toss gently to ensure each meatball is well coated with the flavorful sauce.
- Serve: Serve the spicy honey garlic chicken meatballs hot. Garnish with additional chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired. These meatballs pair wonderfully with steamed rice, noodles, or wrapped in lettuce leaves for a lighter option.
Notes
- Great served over rice, noodles, or in lettuce wraps.
- Adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of sriracha.
- These meatballs freeze well—store extras in an airtight container or freezer bag for a quick meal later.
- Use panko breadcrumbs for a lighter texture if preferred.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute soy sauce with tamari and use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
