BBQ Chicken Meatballs are scrumptious and downright delicious! Fresh, ground chicken is rolled together with seasonings and bread crumbs to create the meatballs. Seared until perfectly golden brown, they are then simmered in a bbq sauce until tender and sticky. The end result one flavorful meatball!
This post and recipe is sponsored by Smart Chicken. All words and photographs are my own. Thank you so much for supporting the brands that make KJ & Company possible!
What Sets Smart Chicken Apart
Ok, listen up, if you’re purchasing chicken, it needs to be Smart Chicken! And that’s something that I don’t even have to be paid to say! My family and I have been using and cooking with Smart Chicken for YEARS. Literally: it’s all my Grandma and Mom will use, and now me! We can even go as far as saying that we have family friends who were farmers for Smart Chicken. I can remember watching my Mom in the kitchen unwrap the chicken with the classic blue packaging growing up, or my Grandma sharing with all of us when she found a grocery store when it went on sale. To say it’s a family favorite is an understatement.
So, what does set Smart Chicken apart? Let me tell you!
Air Chilled:
Did you know that all other chicken companies submerge the chicken in water bath solution to chill the meat? And that the meat absorbs 8-12% of that liquid? No thank you! Smart Chicken goes above and beyond to pay extra attention to detail by using a 100% Air-Chilled Process. That means the end result is a pure product that has exceptional taste, texture and quality without any yucky stuff added. You can read more about their process here!
No Antibiotics:
Want to know what else is great? NO antibiotics are ever added! Here’s what they have to say about the matter:
“Smart Chicken® has never changed its position on antibiotics; the company does not administer antibiotics to chickens that become Smart Chicken and never has. Antibiotics are simply not part of our equation for producing wholesome, high-quality chicken and, in line with that philosophy, all Smart Chicken products are USDA Process Verified no antibiotics ever.”
How great is that?! They have a wealth of knowledge if you want to read more about their commitments to creating the highest-quality products that they can.
All in all, Smart Chicken is the only way to go!
Onto the Meatballs…
Moving onto the meatballs! Typically, chicken meatballs can have a bad reputation for being dry and taste-less. Not these BBQ Chicken Meatballs! My husband even went as far to say that he liked them better than regular beef meatballs – that’s saying something!
In order to create a good meatball, you need to start with quality ingredients. That’s where Smart Chicken comes in! Using their freshly ground chicken is the place to start. I have been able to find it at my local grocery stores and Target. Plus, you can browse products on the Smart Chicken website!
Ground chicken is gently (keyword gently!) folded together with an egg, breadcrumbs and seasonings to create the meatballs. Over-mixing the meatballs can create a dense outcome. And we don’t want that! For a light and fluffy meatballs, try to not over-mix the meat mixture.
After the meatballs are formed, they are then seared until just golden brown. Not only does this help the meatballs hold their shape, but it also adds flavor! Don’t worry about cooking them all the way through at this point as they will be simmered in a yummy bbq sauce until tender.
How to Serve BBQ Chicken Meatballs
One of the main beauties of making these meatballs is that they can be served SO many different ways! Here’s some ideas:
- Appetizer – insert a toothpick into each meatball for an easy grab-and-go option! You can even make the meatballs smaller to get more for service.
- Sandwich – talk about the ultimate meatball sandwich! Use good quality hot dog buns and ladle the meatballs right in. Top with extra sauce and a fresh corn salsa for the ultimate bite!
- Salad – top your salad with these BBQ Chicken Meatballs! Ranch, BBQ Ranch, or Avocado Ranch dressings would be a delicious option! Top with some
- Main Course – let these meatballs shine! Scoop onto a plate for a backyard bbq with potato salad and chips, or serve with a corn risotto for a fancier option. How great would that be?!
Looking for other delicious, summer chicken recipes to try? Check these out!
Pineapple Chipotle Jerk Chicken
BBQ Chicken Meatballs
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
BBQ Chicken Meatballs are scrumptious and downright delicious! Fresh, ground chicken is rolled together with seasonings and bread crumbs to create the meatballs. Seared until perfectly golden brown, they are then simmered in a bbq sauce until tender and sticky. The end result one flavorful meatball!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Smart Chicken Ground Chicken Breast
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 2 cups bbq sauce
Instructions
- Add the ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, seasoned salt and garlic to a large bowl. Use your hands to gently combine all of the ingredients, trying not to over-mix. Use a medium-sized cookie scoop to scoop the meatballs out in even portions. Gently roll each one in between your palms to create a perfectly round meatball.
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Working in batches, sear all of the meatballs until golden brown on both sides. Set the seared meatballs aside.
- Pour the tomato sauce and bbq sauce into the skillet and stir to combine. Submerge the meatballs into the sauce and gently toss to coat each one. Cover with a lid and allow to simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are tender and cooked through. Remove the lid and gently toss and simmer the meatballs with the sauce to create a sticky, bbq meatball, about a few minutes. Enjoy!
Notes
- These meatballs can be served many different ways! Here are some ideas: appetizers, meatball sandwiches, salad toppings, or the main course!
- Use your favorite bbq sauce for this recipe – mine is Sweet Baby Ray’s!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sauté
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 317
- Sugar: 25.4
- Fat: 8.3g
- Carbohydrates: 40.9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 19.3g
Keywords: BBQ Chicken Meatballs, Meatballs, Chicken
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Hi, I’m KJ!
Here you’ll find simple, delicious recipes for the home cook. I strive to make wholesome meals with easy-to-find ingredients that you feel comfortable making in your own kitchen—but I won’t shy away from a few indulgences! (I see you: butter, bacon, cookies!)
