If you’re searching for crowd-pleasing flavor in a bite-sized package, this Honey Barbecue Chicken Meatballs Recipe needs to be at the top of your list! Each juicy, tender meatball is loaded with savory chicken, aromatic garlic and onion, then bathed in a sticky-sweet honey barbecue glaze. This dish is a guaranteed hit, whether you’re serving as a hearty appetizer, a party snack, or as the star of a weekday dinner. With a perfectly balanced combination of smoky, sweet, and tangy notes, these chicken meatballs are as easy to make as they are irresistibly delicious!

Honey Barbecue Chicken Meatballs Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of the Honey Barbecue Chicken Meatballs Recipe is how such simple ingredients can come together and create something so memorable. Each element adds its own touch, making every bite golden, flavorful, and impossible to resist.

Ground chicken: The backbone of the recipe, this keeps your meatballs tender and juicy without being too heavy.
Breadcrumbs: They bind everything together while giving the meatballs a light, moist texture.
Egg: Acts as a glue, ensuring your meatballs hold their shape perfectly during cooking.
Garlic (minced): Brings a punch of aromatic flavor that takes these meatballs to the next level.
Finely diced onion: Adds both moisture and sweet, savory undertones to balance the spices.
Salt: Enhances every flavor in the bowl, making each bite well-rounded.
Black pepper: A touch of heat for subtle background warmth.
Smoked paprika: Gives the meatballs a smoky kick and gorgeous color.
Barbecue sauce: The hero of our glaze, adding tangy, sweet, and smoky notes.
Honey: Lends that irresistible sticky sweetness to complement the barbecue sauce.
Olive oil (for cooking): Ensures the meatballs brown beautifully in the skillet.
Chopped parsley (optional): For a fresh, vibrant garnish that pops against the sauce.

How to Make Honey Barbecue Chicken Meatballs Recipe

Step 1: Mix Your Meatball Base

In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, finely diced onion, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Use clean hands or a spoon to mix just until everything is even—overmixing can make the meatballs dense instead of tender. You want the mix to look light and a little rustic, dotted with hints of onion and paprika.

Step 2: Shape the Meatballs

With your mixture ready, scoop about 1½ tablespoons of the mixture for each meatball. Roll them gently between your palms until they’re smooth and round. This recipe yields about 20 meatballs—perfect for sharing or for meal prepping a few lunches ahead of time!

Step 3: Brown the Meatballs

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once shimmering, carefully add the meatballs in batches. Let them sizzle on each side, turning with tongs so they get evenly browned all over (this should take around 6–8 minutes total). Don’t rush this step; a little patience here gives you a deliciously golden exterior that locks in juiciness.

Step 4: Make the Extra-Sticky Honey Barbecue Sauce

As the meatballs brown, whisk together the barbecue sauce and honey in a small bowl. The sauce should be pourable, glossy, and sweetly aromatic. Feel free to adjust with a dash of extra honey if you love it on the sweeter side, or go for a little extra barbecue sauce for more tang!

Step 5: Simmer and Glaze

Once all your meatballs are perfectly browned, return them all to the skillet if you cooked in batches. Pour the honey barbecue sauce over the top, ensuring every meatball is smothered. Lower the heat, cover, and let everything simmer for 10–12 minutes. The sauce will bubble up and thicken, clinging to each bite-sized morsel as they finish cooking to an internal temperature of 165°F. When you lift the lid, the aroma will pull everyone straight to the kitchen!

Step 6: Finish and Garnish

When your Honey Barbecue Chicken Meatballs Recipe is done, scatter over some fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and herby brightness. Serve warm and get ready for the rave reviews to roll in!

How to Serve Honey Barbecue Chicken Meatballs Recipe

Garnishes

Sprinkle your finished meatballs with a shower of chopped fresh parsley or even cilantro for a spirited dash of green. If you want to play up the barbecue vibes, a fine dice of red onion or thinly sliced scallions can add extra color and crunch. For a zesty touch, a squeeze of fresh lemon over the top just before serving adds a welcome brightness.

Side Dishes

The Honey Barbecue Chicken Meatballs Recipe pairs beautifully with fluffy cooked rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or a cool, crunchy slaw. For a lighter spread, try serving alongside roasted vegetables or a simple green salad. If you’re planning a party, offer these on a platter with toothpicks and let guests dip them into extra barbecue sauce for fun.

Creative Ways to Present

Think sliders: pile the meatballs onto soft buns with a slather of coleslaw and extra sauce. For meal prep wins, tuck a few meatballs into a grain bowl with quinoa and roasted veggies. Or, thread them on skewers with fresh bell pepper slices and broil to caramelize the sauce even further—it’s a playful twist that always impresses!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let your meatballs cool to room temperature before storing. Place them in an airtight container, layering parchment paper between if stacking, and refrigerate. They’ll stay perfectly moist and flavorful for up to 4 days—making them ideal for lunchtime salads, wraps, or quick weeknight meals.

Freezing

For longer storage, the Honey Barbecue Chicken Meatballs Recipe freezes beautifully. Arrange cooled meatballs on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer-safe bags or containers. Stash away for up to 3 months. When you’re ready for another round, just reheat and enjoy—no need to thaw first!

Reheating

Your best bet is to gently reheat meatballs in a covered skillet with a splash of water or extra barbecue sauce over low heat until warmed through. The microwave works in a pinch, but use a lower heat setting to keep them soft and juicy. If frozen, simply pop them straight into the pan or oven; they’ll be hot and ready in minutes.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is a great substitute if you prefer, and it behaves nearly identically to chicken in this recipe. The taste will be slightly different—perhaps a bit richer—but equally delicious.

What type Main Course, Appetizer

Choose your favorite: sweet, smoky, spicy, or a mix! Some love using Kansas City-style sauce for its sweetness, while a tangy Memphis-style gives the dish a bit more kick. The Honey Barbecue Chicken Meatballs Recipe is very flexible.

Can I bake these meatballs instead of frying?

Yes! For a hands-off method, line a baking sheet with parchment, place the shaped meatballs on it, and bake at 400°F for about 15–18 minutes until cooked through. Then, toss them in warmed honey barbecue sauce before serving.

How do I know when the meatballs are fully cooked?

They should reach an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety. If you don’t have a thermometer, check that they’re firm to the touch, the juices run clear, and there’s no pink left in the center.

Are these meatballs spicy?

Nope—they’re all about the savory, smoky, and sweet notes! However, if you like some heat, a pinch of cayenne, diced jalapeños, or a spicy barbecue sauce can add extra zing to your Honey Barbecue Chicken Meatballs Recipe.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Barbecue Chicken Meatballs Recipe is about to become a repeat favorite in your kitchen. It’s simple, versatile, and packed with that sticky-sweet, savory flavor everyone seems to crave. Give it a try for your next gathering, meal prep session, or just because—your tastebuds (and guests) will thank you!

Honey Barbecue Chicken Meatballs Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 21 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 20 meatballs 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

These Honey Barbecue Chicken Meatballs are a sticky, sweet, and savory dish perfect for any occasion. Made with ground chicken and a flavorful blend of seasonings, these meatballs are cooked until tender and then coated in a delicious honey barbecue sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meatballs:

1 pound ground chicken
½ cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup finely diced onion
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon smoked paprika

For the Sauce:

1 cup barbecue sauce
3 tablespoons honey

For Cooking:

1 tablespoon olive oil

For Garnish:

Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix until just combined. Roll into 1½-inch meatballs.
Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides, about 6–8 minutes total.
Make the Sauce: Whisk together barbecue sauce and honey. Pour over the browned meatballs, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes until fully cooked.
Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve warm.