Thai Chicken Meatballs: A Flavorful Weeknight Delight

Dive into a world of vibrant flavors with these incredible Thai Chicken Meatballs! They are wonderfully tender and juicy, bathed in a rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced sweet-and-spicy sauce.

This recipe offers a quick and easy solution for any weeknight meal, bringing an exotic touch to your table. Perfect for busy families or efficient meal prep, these Thai chicken meatballs are sure to become a new favorite.

Jake

Thai Chicken Meatballs

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These Thai Chicken Meatballs are tender, juicy, and packed with bold, vibrant flavors. Served in a creamy, sweet-and-spicy sauce, they make the perfect quick weeknight dinner or meal prep option.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Thai

Calories: 420

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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• 2 lb ground chicken
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 0.5 cup green onions, sliced
• 0.25 cup cilantro, chopped
• 4 clove garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, minced
• 4 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 eggs
• 0.66 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 4 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• 13.5 oz coconut milk
• 2 tsp curry powder
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 0.5 tsp sriracha
• 1 tsp salt

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Large skillet or Dutch oven Oven-safe if preferred
• measuring cups and spoons
• whisk
• cutting board
• sharp knife

Method

 

1. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, eggs, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
2. With damp hands, roll mixture into 20–24 meatballs. Place them on a plate.
3. Heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear meatballs for 3–4 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
4. Lower heat to medium. Add sesame oil, sliced onion, and bell pepper. Sauté 4–5 minutes until softened.
5. Add garlic and ginger. Cook for 1 minute. Add peanut butter, coconut milk, curry powder, turmeric, soy sauce, sriracha, and salt. Whisk until smooth.
6. Simmer sauce for 2–3 minutes to thicken. Return meatballs to the skillet, submerge in sauce, and cover.
7. Simmer 10–12 minutes until meatballs are cooked through (165°F internal temp).
8. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime juice before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 30gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 850mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6g

Notes

• To make this gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and tamari instead of soy sauce.
• Adjust heat with sriracha or chili flakes.
• Use almond or sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter if needed. 

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Why You’ll Love These Thai Chicken Meatballs

• Lean & Protein-Packed: Ground chicken offers a healthy base for these satisfying meatballs.
• Vibrant Flavors: Enjoy a burst of fresh, authentic Thai-inspired ingredients in every bite.
• Irresistible Sauce: The creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce is genuinely addictive.
• Effortless Preparation: Prepare this delicious meal with simple, one-pan cooking.
• Meal Prep Friendly: Cook a batch ahead of time for convenient lunches or dinners throughout the week.
• Easily Customizable: Adjust ingredients and spice levels to perfectly suit your family’s taste preferences.

Ingredients

Gather these fresh ingredients to create your own amazing Thai Chicken Meatballs at home. Each component plays a vital role in building the incredible layers of flavor.

For the Meatballs

• 2 lbs ground chicken
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, minced
• 4 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper

For the Creamy Thai Sauce

• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
• 2 tsp curry powder
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp salt

Notes & Substitutions

• You can easily adapt this Thai chicken meatballs recipe to fit your pantry and preferences. Ground turkey or pork work wonderfully as alternatives to ground chicken.
• For gluten-free meatballs, swap regular breadcrumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs, crushed oats, or almond flour.
• Adjust the heat in the sauce by adding more sriracha or a pinch of red chili flakes. If you have a peanut allergy, substitute almond butter or sunflower seed butter for peanut butter.
• While fresh garlic and ginger offer the best flavor, you can use pre-minced versions or their powdered counterparts in a pinch (use 1/2 teaspoon powder for every tablespoon of fresh).

Equipment

You don’t need fancy tools to whip up these delicious Thai chicken meatballs. Just a few basic kitchen items will do the trick.

• Large mixing bowl
• Large skillet or Dutch oven (oven-safe if preferred)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife

Instructions For These Thai Chicken Meatballs

Follow these simple, step-by-step instructions to create your own flavorful Thai Chicken Meatballs. You’ll have a delicious meal ready in no snap!

1. Prepare Meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, diced red bell pepper, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, minced garlic, minced ginger, soy sauce, eggs, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
2. Form Balls: Lightly dampen your hands with water. Roll the chicken mixture into uniform, golf-ball-sized meatballs. You should get approximately 20-24 meatballs from this batch. Place them on a plate or baking sheet as you form them.
3. Sear Meatballs: Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the butter and let it melt. Once melted, carefully place the meatballs into the hot pan in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Sear the meatballs for 3-4 minutes per side until they are golden brown and lightly caramelized all over. This step builds incredible flavor. Remove the seared meatballs from the pan and set them aside on a clean plate. They don’t need to be cooked through at this stage.
4. Sauté Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. In the same pan, add the sesame oil. Add the sliced red onion and sliced red bell pepper. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften and become fragrant. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan as you stir; these add extra flavor to your sauce.
5. Build Sauce: Stir in the remaining minced garlic and minced ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant. Add the peanut butter, coconut milk, sriracha, soy sauce, curry powder, and turmeric powder to the pan. Whisk vigorously until the peanut butter is fully dissolved and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt.
6. Simmer Sauce: Bring the creamy Thai sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes, letting the flavors meld and the sauce thicken slightly.
7. Cook Meatballs in Sauce: Carefully return the seared meatballs to the pan, nestling them into the simmering sauce. Ensure the meatballs are mostly submerged in the sauce. Cover the pan and let the meatballs simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, or until they are cooked through and tender. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). For optimal food safety, it’s crucial to follow the USDA guidelines for safe internal temperature for all poultry products.
8. Serve: Remove the pan from the heat. Garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice just before serving. Enjoy your homemade Thai Chicken Meatballs!

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

• Achieving perfect results with your Thai chicken meatballs is simple with these pointers. First, avoid overmixing the meatball mixture; this keeps them tender and juicy.
• Dampen your hands with water when rolling the meatballs for easier, non-stick forming. Don’t skip searing the meatballs; this crucial step locks in flavor and creates a delicious crust.
• Always taste the sauce before serving and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more sriracha for spice or soy sauce for saltiness. If your sauce is too thick, thin it with a splash of water or broth.
• If it is too thin, simmer it uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce. To prevent meatballs from falling apart, ensure you’ve added enough breadcrumbs and egg, which act as binders.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

These Thai chicken meatballs are incredibly versatile and perfect for any occasion.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve these flavorful meatballs over fluffy jasmine rice, brown rice, or even quinoa for a complete meal.
• Enjoy them with your favorite noodles, such as rice noodles or egg noodles.
• Pair with warm garlic naan or flatbread for scooping up every last drop of sauce.
• Complement the dish with a crunchy Thai slaw or simple steamed vegetables like broccoli or bok choy.

Storage Tips:

• Store any leftover Thai chicken meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• For longer storage, freeze the cooked meatballs and sauce together in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.

Recipe Variations:

• Adjust Heat: Easily customize the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of sriracha or adding a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Add Vegetables: Incorporate extra veggies into the sauce, like snap peas, carrots, or spinach, for added nutrition and texture.
• Alternate Proteins: Experiment with ground turkey, pork, or even a mix of ground meats.
• Authentic Depth: For an even more authentic Thai flavor profile, add a tablespoon of fish sauce to the sauce mixture.

Nutrition Information

Please note that the following nutrition information is an estimate based on standard ingredient values and will vary depending on specific brands and preparations. This information is provided for guidance only, as homemade recipes can differ significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

You now have all the tools to whip up these incredibly flavorful and easy Thai Chicken Meatballs. This recipe offers a fantastic balance of tender chicken, vibrant aromatics, and a wonderfully creamy, sweet-and-spicy sauce that will impress everyone at your table.

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, this family-friendly dish is a delicious way to bring exciting global flavors into your kitchen. We encourage you to try this recipe tonight, and please share your comments and ratings below!

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