Here is an easy dinner idea – Chicken Meatballs in Barbeque Sauce, ready in roughly 30 minutes. Lately, I’ve been so busy that getting dinner on the table has been a bit of a challenge. So, anything I can make in less than 45 minutes sounds good to me. I came across this recipe in the latest Cooking Light issue and made a few minor tweaks.
For fun, I had my son help me with a mini photo collage – it’s so much easier using my phone to take pictures than my big camera, so forgive me, but I’d rather get this recipe posted than take step-by-step photos with my “real” camera, hook my camera up to my computer, process the photos, etc, etc. If I did that, you might never see this recipe.
This Barbeque Chicken Meatball recipe is very simple: (1) make the sauce using pantry ingredients; (2) mix, form, and brown the meatballs; (3) combine the sauce and meatballs together and simmer for about minutes.
While the meatballs are cooking, you can toss a salad together or steam some vegetables (try Broccoli with Toasted Garlic Olive Oil). Dinner can be ready in 30 minutes!
Barbeque Chicken Meatballs
Ingredients
Barbeque Sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey or dark brown sugar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon Spanish smoked paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
- dash of cayenne pepper
Chicken Meatballs
- 1 1/4 pound ground chicken
- 3 tablespoons gluten-free breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- Cooking spray
Instructions
Barbeque Sauce
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Place Barbeque Sauce ingredients in a food processor or blender; process until smooth. Place in a saucepan.
Chicken Meatballs
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Combine chicken, breadcrumbs, water, oregano, basil, thyme, chili powder, salt and pepper. Mix well and shape into 16 meatballs (use disposable food safe gloves if you like).
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Heat large skillet and lightly coat large skillet with cooking spray. Place meatballs in skillet in a single layer; cook 2-3 minutes per side, until brown. Meatballs do not have to be cooked through at this point.
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Place meatballs in saucepan with Barbeque Sauce. Cover and simmer over medium low heat for 10-12 minutes until meatballs are done.
Always looking for new recipes using ground chicken…and I LOVE that you made your own BBQ sauce!!
Asiya – I use ground turkey and chicken a lot – it’s really inexpensive and so versatile. The sauce is very good!
We are in a meatball phase right now so this is another great option! Love it 🙂
Alyssa, kids love meatballs don’t they! They’re fun to eat and there are so many ways to prepare them.
Yum-O!! Love the use of bbq sauce here!!
Trying these tonight and cannot wait! Such an easy and healthy recipe!
Hope you enjoy Kelley!
We did enjoy, they were a huge hit and so easy! Will be making them again for sure!
Great to hear Kelley – a friend of mine made these this past week and her family loved them too.
I had to click over and check out this recipe, Jeanette, because we have a favorite sweet and spicy meatball recipe that I plan on sharing soon. Ours are fairly different, yet similar in taste I’m sure. Meatballs are such a fun and tasty meal! Will share these on my gfe Facebook page later–thanks!
Shirley
Shirley – will have to check out your sweet and spicy meatballs – my kids love meatballs – they are fun food! Thanks for the share.
My family loved these, a 4, 6 and 9 yr old are fans. These will be a regular on our menu!
Thanks so much for letting me know that you tried this recipe and that your family liked it. Several of my friends have made this and they all enjoy it too.
This recipe is awesome.My boys LOVED it.
We love healthy food from scratch 🙂
Thanks for sharing it…
Niki, so glad you enjoyed this easy recipe!