Sweet Pineapple Chicken Meatballs (Print Version)
Juicy chicken meatballs coated in a tangy-sweet pineapple glaze, perfect for weeknights or gatherings.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken Meatballs
01 - 1 lb ground chicken
02 - 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 2 green onions, finely sliced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
07 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Pineapple Sauce
10 - 1 cup pineapple juice
11 - 1/2 cup canned pineapple chunks, drained
12 - 1/4 cup ketchup
13 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
14 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
15 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
16 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
→ Garnish
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
18 - Sesame seeds (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, green onions, garlic, soy sauce, ginger, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until evenly incorporated, being careful not to overwork the meat.
03 - Shape the mixture into 20 uniform bite-sized meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
04 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until the meatballs are fully cooked through and golden brown on the outside.
05 - While the meatballs bake, combine pineapple juice, pineapple chunks, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and soy sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer.
06 - Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy glaze consistency.
07 - Transfer the baked meatballs into the saucepan and toss gently to coat evenly with the pineapple sauce.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with chopped cilantro or parsley and a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sauce is a five ingredient situation that tastes like you spent an hour on it when it really took about four minutes.
- These meatballs work just as well piled over rice for dinner as they do speared with toothpicks at a party.
- Ground chicken stays surprisingly moist here thanks to the breadcrumbs and a gentle hand when mixing.
02 -
- Wet hands make rolling the meatballs infinitely easier and prevent the mixture from sticking to your palms in frustrating clumps.
- Let the sauce simmer long enough after adding the cornstarch or it will look cloudy and thin instead of glossy and thick.
03 -
- Do not be tempted to make the meatballs larger than bite sized because the ratio of crispy exterior to soft interior is what makes them irresistible.
- Taste the sauce before adding the meatballs and adjust with a little more vinegar or sugar depending on how sweet your pineapple juice is.