If you’re on the lookout for a delightful dish that perfectly blends savory, sweet, and a hint of tang, then the Honey Barbeque Chicken Meatballs Recipe is your new go-to comfort food. These meatballs are juicy and tender on the inside with a sticky, flavorful barbeque glaze that tempts your taste buds with every bite. Whether you’re cooking for a casual dinner or looking to impress at your next gathering, this recipe offers a harmonious balance of ingredients that will warm hearts and satisfy cravings effortlessly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of simple yet essential ingredients, this recipe keeps things approachable without compromising on flavor. Each component plays a special role — from the ground chicken providing juicy meatballs to the honey adding natural sweetness that glazes the sauce beautifully.
- 1 lb. ground chicken: The lean protein base that keeps the meatballs moist and tender.
- 1 cup breadcrumbs: These help bind the meatballs together and add a pleasing texture.
- ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions: Freshness and a mild crunch to brighten every bite.
- 2 large eggs, beaten: Key for binding the mixture so meatballs hold their shape.
- 2 tbsp. minced fresh flat-leaf parsley: A fragrant herb that lifts the flavor with green notes.
- 1 tsp. minced garlic: Adds that classic, punchy depth of savory goodness.
- ½ tsp. salt: Balances all the ingredients for the perfect seasoning.
- ¼ tsp. ground black pepper: A gentle kick to offset the sweetness.
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce: Forms the luscious base of the barbeque sauce.
- ¼ cup honey: The star ingredient that brings sweet, sticky charm to the glaze.
- 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce: Adds a rich umami depth to the barbeque sauce.
- 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar: Balances the honey’s sweetness with a touch of acidity.
- ½ tsp. garlic powder: Elevates the sauce’s flavor with subtle garlic warmth.
- ½ tsp. salt: Enhances the barbeque sauce’s overall seasoning.
- 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper: A finishing touch to round out the sauce.
How to Make Honey Barbeque Chicken Meatballs Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Meatball Mixture
Start by combining the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, sliced green onions, beaten eggs, minced parsley, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together gently until just combined. This careful mixing helps keep the meatballs tender without overworking the meat.
Step 2: Form the Meatballs
Shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. This ensures they cook evenly and have that perfect bite-sized appeal. Placing them on a baking sheet lined with parchment helps keep things tidy.
Step 3: Brown the Meatballs
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and lightly oil it. Add the meatballs in batches, cooking just long enough to brown all sides—around 5 to 6 minutes. This step locks in juices and gives a beautifully caramelized surface.
Step 4: Make the Honey Barbeque Sauce
In a medium saucepan, whisk together the tomato sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bring this mixture to a simmer on low heat, allowing the flavors to meld while the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 5: Simmer the Meatballs in the Sauce
Gently add the browned meatballs to the simmering sauce. Cover and let them cook on low for 15 minutes, ensuring the meatballs soak up all those delicious honey barbeque flavors inside and out.
Step 6: Final Touches
Give the meatballs one last gentle stir to coat them fully in the thickened sauce. Now they’re ready to serve and enjoy!
How to Serve Honey Barbeque Chicken Meatballs Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or green onions over the meatballs for a pop of color and fresh flavor that complements the rich sauce beautifully. A light dusting of sesame seeds also adds an appealing texture contrast.
Side Dishes
These meatballs pair wonderfully with creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or even a fresh coleslaw to balance the sweetness. For a lighter option, serve alongside roasted vegetables or a crisp salad to keep the meal refreshing.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun party twist, serve the Honey Barbeque Chicken Meatballs Recipe on toothpicks as bite-sized appetizers. You can also stack them in slider buns with some crunchy slaw for delightful mini sandwiches that guests will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover meatballs and sauce together in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This way, the flavors remain melded and delicious for your next meal.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked meatballs separately or with the sauce. Place them in a freezer-safe container and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to maintain the best texture.
Reheating
Warm up the meatballs gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating without drying out the sauce or meatballs.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey is a great substitute and will work well with this recipe, offering a similar texture and flavor profile.
How spicy is the Honey Barbeque Chicken Meatballs Recipe?
This recipe is mild and focuses on sweet and savory flavors. If you like a little heat, you can easily add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the sauce.
Can I make these meatballs gluten-free?
Yes, simply replace the breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour to keep the texture intact while making it suitable for gluten-free diets.
What’s the best way to serve these for a party?
Serving the meatballs on toothpicks with a small bowl of extra sauce is perfect for easy, mess-free party snacking that everyone will enjoy.
Can these meatballs be baked instead of pan-fried?
Definitely. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), place the shaped meatballs on a baking sheet, and bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through before adding to the sauce.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Barbeque Chicken Meatballs Recipe is truly a keeper — versatile, flavorful, and simple enough to whip up anytime you’re craving something both cozy and a little special. Once you try it, I promise it’ll become a regular in your recipe rotation, delivered with warm comfort and irresistible sweet and tangy goodness every time.
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Honey Barbeque Chicken Meatballs Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Honey Barbeque Chicken Meatballs recipe offers a delicious combination of tender ground chicken meatballs coated in a sweet and tangy homemade barbecue sauce made with honey, tomato sauce, and a blend of spices. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or party appetizer, these meatballs are savory, juicy, and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb. ground chicken
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tbsp. minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1 tsp. minced garlic
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
Honey Barbeque Sauce
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, green onions, beaten eggs, parsley, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together thoroughly until evenly combined to form the meatball mixture.
- Form the Meatballs: Shape the mixture into small, evenly sized meatballs, roughly about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them onto a plate or tray, ready for cooking.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a bit of oil. Add the meatballs in batches, cooking and turning occasionally so they brown evenly on all sides and cook through, about 10-12 minutes total, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Make the Sauce: While the meatballs cook, in a separate saucepan combine the tomato sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir the sauce over medium heat until it begins to simmer and flavors meld, about 5 minutes.
- Toss Meatballs in Sauce: Once meatballs are fully cooked, transfer them to the saucepan with the honey barbeque sauce. Gently stir to coat each meatball thoroughly with the sauce and simmer together for another 2-3 minutes to let the flavors combine.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the honey barbeque chicken meatballs hot as a main course or appetizer. Garnish with additional sliced green onions or parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can bake the meatballs at 375°F for 20 minutes as an alternative to skillet cooking for less hands-on time.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs if you need to make this recipe gluten free.
- Leftover meatballs store well in an airtight container and can be reheated in the microwave or oven.
- Adjust honey quantity in the sauce to your preferred level of sweetness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
