Sweet Pineapple Chicken Meatballs (Printable)
Juicy chicken meatballs coated in a tangy-sweet pineapple glaze, ideal for weeknights or gatherings.
# What You 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:
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 just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
03 - Form the mixture into 20 uniform bite-sized meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
04 - Bake for 18-20 minutes until 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 - Whisk in the cornstarch slurry and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens to a glossy glaze, about 2-3 minutes.
07 - Transfer the baked meatballs to the saucepan and toss gently until evenly coated with the pineapple sauce.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with chopped cilantro or parsley and a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sauce clings to every meatball like glossy candy and you will want to eat it with a spoon straight from the pan.
- They go from weeknight dinner to party appetizer without changing a single thing about the recipe.
- Ground chicken stays incredibly tender here thanks to the gentle baking method and a light hand with the mixing.
02 -
- Wet your hands slightly before rolling the meatballs because the chicken mixture is soft and this simple trick prevents sticking and tearing.
- Do not walk away from the sauce once you add the cornstarch slurry because it thickens fast and can scorch if forgotten even for a minute.
03 -
- Use a cookie scoop to portion the meatballs so they are all the same size and cook at the exact same rate.
- Let the sauce rest off the heat for two minutes before adding the meatballs because it thickens further as it cools and clings better.