This yummy firecracker sauce is so easy to make from scratch. It’s sweet, spicy, sticky, and amazingly flavorful. Everyone is going to love it! I love the versatility of meatballs, and I make them all the time! If you normally think about ground beef meatballs or turkey meatballs served with spaghetti, I invite you to step outside of your comfort zone for a minute with me. These sweet and spicy firecracker meatballs are made with healthy, lean ground chicken. They are moist and juicy because we’ll mix the meat with breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, and onion. And while you could eat these chicken meatballs plain or toss them into some marinara, you are definitely going to want to try this Asian-inspired spicy firecracker sauce instead! You need just four simple pantry ingredients to make the sauce for Firecracker Chicken Meatballs, and the whole dish will be ready in about a half an hour.
Firecracker Chicken Meatballs Highlights
Simple Ingredients – The ingredients you need to make firecracker chicken meatballs (like soy sauce, brown sugar, and dry breadcrumbs) are probably already living in your pantry. Pick up a pound of ground chicken and you’ll be ready to cook! Big, Bold Flavor – This is a spicy dish, and I love to serve these meatballs over rice to balance it out a bit. If you’re cooking for children or want the sauce to be milder, simply reduce the amount of hot sauce in the recipe. You can also try my similar recipe for Asian Chicken Meatballs, and skip the hot sauce in that recipe all together. Versatile Recipe – Firecracker meatballs make a delicious easy weeknight dinner with a side of broccoli or a salad, but you could just as easily serve these as a fun spicy party appetizer, or serve them in lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.
Key Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make chicken meatballs with firecracker sauce: Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Ground Chicken: A leaner alternative to ground beef. This recipe works well with lean ground turkey too, or a mix of ground chicken and ground pork. Breadcrumbs and Egg: To keep the chicken meatballs moist, juicy, and held together. I suggest using unseasoned dry breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs in this recipe. Garlic and Onion: These add tons of flavor to the meatballs! Be sure to mince the garlic and finely dice the onion since we won’t be cooking the veggies on their own. Soy Sauce: This gives the firecracker sauce a savory, salty, umami base flavor. You can use low-sodium soy sauce or Tamari for a gluten-free option. Brown Sugar: This balances the salty and spicy flavors in the sauce. Honey is also a delicious sweetener option here. Use whichever you have on hand. Hot Sauce: I’ve made these with Sriracha and Frank’s hot sauce – both worked wonderfully to give the sauce a bit of a kick! Vinegar: Just a tablespoon will add the right amount of acidity to the firecracker sauce. Try it with rice wine or apple cider vinegar. Red Pepper Flakes: These are optional, but make a beautiful garnish and add another layer of flavorful spice.
How To Make Chicken Firecracker Meatballs
Recipe Tips
Don’t Overmix! Overmixed ground chicken meatballs will be dry and tough. Try to just mix until the ingredients are combined, and then stop! Use Your Hands: To mix the ground chicken mixture, it’s best to use your hands so that the ingredients are mixed gently and not too much. Wear gloves if you like! To Bake the Meatballs: Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C or 170°C for the fan oven, and prepare a baking sheet with a wire rack. Bake the meatballs on the rack for 10-12 minutes or until done. Add them to a skillet with the sauce to finish the dish. If the sauce gets too thick, you can whisk in a splash of water to thin it out.
Storing Tips
To Store: Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave. To Freeze: Chicken meatballs can be frozen raw or cooked, but I suggest freezing them without the sauce. They can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months. Raw frozen meatballs can be baked at 375°F/190°C or 170°C for the fan oven for 30-35 minutes or until fully cooked. They can also be reheated in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.
What To Serve With Firecracker Meatballs
I suggest serving this dish with simple side dishes so that the flavor of the meatballs can shine! I like mine with Jasmine rice, cauliflower rice, or brown rice, and a side of steamed broccoli or green beans. These meatballs would also be delicious with my homemade Instant Pot Fried Rice or buttered noodles! Add a garnish of sesame seeds, sliced green onions, or chopped parsley for a beautiful presentation.
How do I make the meatballs all the same size?
I like to use a cookie scoop to portion out the meat before rolling the meatballs. This way, I can be sure that they are all the same size. You can also make one meatball by hand, weigh it, and then weigh the meatballs as you go to ensure that they are exactly the same. This method is a bit more time-consuming, though!
What temperature do ground chicken meatballs need to be?
Use a thermometer to check that the meatballs are cooked through and have an internal temp of 165°F/74°C. This is the safe temperature for cooking any type of chicken.
Can I make meatballs without an egg?
This recipe will work without an egg added to the ground chicken mixture, but the meatballs will be much more delicate. The egg helps the meatballs hold their shape and stay firm when tossed with the firecracker sauce. Firecracker Chicken Meatballs are a spicy, flavorful dish that is super simple to make with common pantry ingredients. Be sure to Pin this recipe to save it! It will be perfect for a busy night in the future. © Little Sunny Kitchen
