Firecracker chicken meatballs are the key to your next party, game day or gathering. Perfectly spicy, slightly sweet and tantalizingly sticky. My husband couldn’t get enough of these spicy chicken meatballs that pack a big punch of flavor.
Combine the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Combine the meatball ingredients. DO NOT OVER MIX. You don’t want a tough, dry meatball. Use a tablespoon cookie scoop to form the balls. Place them on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 11 – 12 minutes.
Remove the baking pan from the oven, brush each meatball with the sauce.
Bake an additional 2 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush them again with the remaining sauce.
Serve and bask in the praise from your guests!
Firecracker Chicken Meatballs
Ingredients
CHICKEN MEATBALLS
- 2 pounds ground chicken
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
FIRECRACKER SAUCE:
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1-2 tablespoons Worcestershire
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 475ºF. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine the ingredients for the firecracker sauce over medium-high heat, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer. Let simmer for 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, garlic, salt pepper, eggs, panko, cayenne pepper, paprika, and onion powder. Mix all the ingredients together. DO NOT OVERMIX, it will result in tough and dry meatballs.
- Shape the meat mixture into a ball, about 1 tablespoon of meat per ball. (I used a cookie dough scoop) Place shaped meatballs on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 11-13 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through.
- Brush each meatball with the sauce. Place back on the baking sheet and bake for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Drizzle or brush with remaining sauce, as desired.
Recipe inspired by Littlespicejar
Comments
Maria
January 4, 2017These look amazing!! I am always looking for finger-food friendly bites that aren’t just a million variations on dip. I bet this sauce would also go great on crispy baked chicken wings – a favorite of some in our house. Thank you for sharing!
DSTR
January 5, 2017Thanks, Maria! This sauce would be fabulous on wings!
[email protected] Maggie Lois
January 23, 2017These meatballs look so yummy! I’ve actually never made homemade meatballs so I like how this recipe is for the meatballs and the sauce, pinned it! Stopping by from Pink Heels Pink Truck link-up, enjoy the rest of your week!
DSTR
January 24, 2017Thank you, Maggie!
Jenna @ A Savory Feast
January 25, 2017These look amazing! Chicken meatballs are my favorite kind.
DSTR
January 26, 2017Thank you so much, Jenna!
Jane
January 25, 2017Holy cow! These look amazing
DSTR
January 26, 2017Thanks so much, Jane!
Kim
January 25, 2017These look so good right now! And not just because I’m hungry. LOL
I already printed the recipe. =0)
Thanks for visiting Wonderful Wednesday. I’m your newest twitter follower!
DSTR
January 26, 2017LOL Thanks, Kim!
Antionette
January 26, 2017oh yes, I will definitely be making these as we love ground chicken and it’s perfect for the Superbowl. #ThursdayFavoriteThings
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Karly
January 29, 2017These meatballs are calling my name! Thanks for linkin’ up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
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April J Harris
January 31, 2017That flavourful sauce – oh my it sounds so good! Your Firecracker Chicken Meatballs are a perfect appetizer. Scheduled to Pin later today and sharing on our Hearth and Soul Facebook page. Thank you for being a part of Hearth and Soul. Hope you will visit again this week!
Miz Helen
February 1, 2017We will love your awesome sauce for these delicious Chicken Meatballs. Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday.
Miz Helen
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Rachel
February 3, 2017Just wanted you to know I featured this on my round up for the Create Link Inspire party! I’ll be pinning it to the group board today. Thanks so much! https://www.rachelteodoro.com/2017/01/create-link-inspire-party-13-recipes.html
DSTR
February 5, 2017Thanks sooo much, Rachel!!
Karly
February 28, 2017Yesss! There will never be enough good meatball recipes in the world. These look absolutely amazing- can’t wait to cover my whole life in this firecracker sauce!
DSTR
February 28, 2017Thank you, Karly! I agree there can never be enough meatball recipes. So easy, right?