Welcome to a delicious and easy recipe for Orange Chicken Meatballs. These meatballs are a delightful twist on the classic orange chicken, combining juicy chicken meatballs with a tangy and sweet orange sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a party appetizer, these meatballs are sure to impress. Follow this detailed guide to create a mouthwatering dish that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Before we start, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients for the chicken meatballs and the orange sauce.
For the Chicken Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Orange Sauce:
- 1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed or store-bought)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of one orange
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
For Garnish:
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Chicken Meatballs
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, chopped green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Form the Meatballs: Use your hands or a small cookie scoop to form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
- Bake the Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and golden brown. Turn them halfway through cooking for even browning.
Step 2: Preparing the Orange Sauce
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the orange juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, orange zest, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to combine.
- Thicken the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Coat the Meatballs: Once the meatballs are done baking, add them to the saucepan with the orange sauce. Toss to coat the meatballs evenly with the sauce.