Description
These Baked Orange Chicken Meatballs are a flavorful and healthier alternative to traditional fried versions. Made with ground chicken and baked to juicy perfection, these meatballs are tossed in a tangy and slightly spicy orange marmalade sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish, they combine Asian-inspired flavors with a simple baking method for a quick and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 1/2 lbs ground chicken
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
- 2 tablespoons minced scallions
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
- 3/4 cup orange marmalade
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 500ºF and lightly spray a mini-muffin pan or baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare breadcrumb mixture: In a small bowl, combine the milk and Panko breadcrumbs and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to soak and soften the breadcrumbs.
- Mix meatball ingredients: In a large bowl, add ground chicken, minced garlic, minced fresh ginger, minced scallions, low sodium soy sauce, salt, pepper, and the soaked breadcrumb mixture. Use your hands to thoroughly combine all ingredients.
- Shape meatballs: Form the meat mixture into meatballs using 2 to 3 tablespoons per meatball and place them evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes until they are fully cooked through and nicely browned.
- Prepare the sauce: While the meatballs bake, heat sesame oil and olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and fresh ginger, cooking and stirring for about 2 minutes until fragrant and golden brown.
- Add remaining sauce ingredients: Stir in crushed red pepper flakes, orange marmalade, and hoisin sauce. Continue cooking and stirring occasionally for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine meatballs and sauce: Remove meatballs from the oven and transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the prepared sauce over the meatballs and toss gently to coat them evenly in the flavorful sauce.
- Serve: Serve the orange chicken meatballs immediately, perfect as an appetizer or a main dish.
Notes
- For best flavor, use fresh ginger and garlic in both the meatballs and the sauce.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level.
- Using ground chicken keeps the meatballs lean and healthy, but ground turkey can be used as a substitute.
- Ensure that meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165ºF for safe consumption.
- Serving size is based on 24 meatballs, approximately 2 tablespoons of mixture each.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian-American
