This recipe features Firecracker Meatballs that combine tender, spicy meatballs with a sweet and sticky sriracha sauce for a memorable meal that can be done in just 30 minutes from start to finish, making it a quick meal option.
Meatballs are not just for spaghetti but are versatile for easy weeknight dinners, like Garlic Butter Meatballs, French Onion Meatballs, or Honey BBQ Meatballs. The Firecracker Chicken Meatballs are tender, moist, and flavorful, with a perfect balance of spicy, sweet, savory, and tangy tastes. They can be served over rice for a weeknight meal or on toothpicks as a game day appetizer.
Firecracker meatballs are an Asian-inspired dish with a blend of spicy, tangy, and sweet flavors. Typically made with ground chicken or pork and coated in a sticky sauce, these meatballs are similar to Honey Sriracha Meatballs.
This firecracker meatball recipe requires just 15 minutes of hands-on time for a family-friendly meal. It offers a few tips and tricks to make delicious firecracker chicken meatballs.
Ingredients include ground chicken (or ground turkey as a substitute), panko bread crumbs, onions:
For the meatballs:
– Ground chicken can be replaced with ground turkey.
– Panko bread crumbs – Change meatballs to be gluten-free by using gluten-free panko.
- Egg – Important for holding the meatballs together.
- Soy sauce – Consider using tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option, or opt for low-sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content.
- Onion – Either yellow or white onion works well in this recipe.
- Fresh cilantro – Chop finely to easily mix into the meatball mixture.
- Jalapeño pepper – Handle with care and use gloves during preparation.
- Garlic – Press through a garlic press or finely grate or mince if a press is unavailable.
- Ginger – Grate or finely mince the ginger.
- Sesame oil – Use for cooking the chicken meatballs.
For the sauce:
- Light brown sugar – Adds sweetness to the firecracker meatball sauce.
- Orange juice – Provides citrus flavor and extra sweetness. Fresh-squeezed or bottled orange juice can be used.
- Sriracha – Also known as rooster sauce, perfect for this recipe. However, another hot sauce can be substituted based on preference.
- Rice wine vinegar – Avoid seasoned rice vinegar, which is sweetened. Apple cider vinegar can be used as an alternative.
- Crushed red pepper – Adjust the amount based on desired heat level.
Garnish (optional):
- Green onions – Slice thinly for garnish. Sesame seeds or extra cilantro are also great options to garnish the meatballs.
Refer to the recipe card at the end of this post for the complete list of quantities and ingredients.
Recipe Variations
If you enjoy this recipe and want some quick ways to add variety, here are some easy tips:
- Firecracker Turkey Meatballs – Substitute ground turkey for ground chicken.
- Baked Firecracker Chicken Meatballs – Bake meatballs in the oven until cooked through. Prepare the sauce on the stovetop until thickened, then add the meatballs and coat in the sauce.
- Firecracker Meatball Sliders – Serve meatballs on Hawaiian dinner rolls with coleslaw for a fun twist.
- Pork Firecracker Meatballs – Swap ground pork for chicken.
Recipe Step by Step
Highlighted below are key steps in the recipe, but refer to the recipe card for detailed instructions on making firecracker meatballs.
- Step 1– Combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl.
- Step 2– Shape and sear meatballs in a skillet until browned on all sides.
- Step 3– Mix sauce ingredients in a separate bowl.
- Step 4– Simmer meatballs in the sauce until cooked through and the sauce thickens to a glossy, sticky consistency.
Recipe Tips
- Finely mince jalapeño and onion – Ensures even flavor distribution and prevents large pieces in the meatballs, helping maintain moisture and tenderness. Use an electric chopper, finely mince, or grate with a knife.
- Hand mix ground chicken – Using hands ensures thorough mixing of ingredients, avoiding overworking the meat and yielding tender meatballs.
- Prep ingredients before cooking – Prep everything in advance to streamline the cooking process.
When you’re all set to start cooking, there are a few tips that can help streamline the process:
– **Use a cookie dough scoop**: This will ensure evenly-sized meatballs that cook uniformly, making them perfect for serving at gatherings.
– **Avoid crowding the pan**: To prevent uneven cooking or steaming, use a large skillet that allows the meatballs to sear properly.
—
### Recipe Short Cuts
If you’re short on time but still want to enjoy this recipe, here are some quick shortcuts to help speed up the cooking process:
– **Use store-bought meatballs**: While homemade meatballs are recommended for flavor, store-bought ones can be a time-saving alternative.
– **Prepare the meatballs in advance**: Spend 10 minutes on a Sunday to make a batch of meatballs and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook them.
– **Prep the firecracker meatball sauce ahead of time**: You can make the sauce 2-3 days before cooking and store it in the fridge until needed.
—
### Freezer Meal Instructions
Converting this firecracker meatball recipe into a freezer meal is simple and allows you to store it for up to 6 months:
– **To freeze before cooking**: Shape the meatballs, freeze them until solid, and prepare the sauce. Store them together in the freezer and thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.
– **To freeze after cooking**: Transfer the cooked meatballs and sauce to a freezer-safe container, thaw overnight, and reheat when ready to eat.
—
### What to Serve with Firecracker Meatballs
These Asian-inspired firecracker meatballs pair well with various side dishes to create a complete meal. Here are some suggested options:
– Classic Asian side dishes
– Healthy alternatives to balance the meal
—
### Side Dish Ideas
– Serve with rice or noodles
– Include a fresh salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal
—
### Firecracker Meatball Leftovers
Leftovers of this dish can be repurposed into new and tasty meals. Here’s how to store and reuse them:
– Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to a month.
#### Leftover Recipes
– **Firecracker Lettuce Wraps**: Heat and chop the meatballs to serve in lettuce with toppings.
– **Firecracker Fried Rice**: Add chopped meatballs to your favorite fried rice recipe.
– **Firecracker Meatball Subs**: Stuff hoagie rolls with reheated meatballs and toppings.
– **Firecracker Meatball Bowls**: Serve meatballs with rice, vegetables, and other ingredients for a customizable meal.
Recipe FAQ’s
Does egg make meatballs hard?
Adding egg to meatballs helps bind them together and prevents them from falling apart. However, too much egg can make them tough. But don’t worry, the egg proportions in this recipe are just right, so your meatballs won’t be hard!
Is it better to bake or fry meatballs?
Whether you bake or fry meatballs is a personal choice. Baking requires less oil, but frying gives them a crispy exterior and enhances the flavor. For this recipe, frying the meatballs is recommended as it allows them to absorb more of the sauce’s flavors.
How spicy are firecracker meatballs?
Firecracker chicken meatballs are quite spicy! If you prefer milder flavors, you can try Hawaiian Meatballs instead. To reduce the spiciness, you can use less jalapeño in the meatballs or skip the red pepper flakes in the sauce.
More EASY Chicken Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, consider trying out a few more easy recipes for your next busy night!
You can view all my easy chicken recipes here or explore some of our readers’ favorite recipes below.
Firecracker Meatballs
Whether you serve them as a game day appetizer or an easy weeknight dinner, these Firecracker Chicken Meatballs are sure to be a hit! These moist ground chicken meatballs are cooked in a flavorful sauce loaded with sweet, spicy, and tangy notes.
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients for the Firecracker Sauce. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, except the sesame oil, for the meatballs. Use your hands to work the mixture together until everything is mixed and evenly distributed throughout.
Roll the meat into 1.5 inch balls. - Heat a large pan, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs and cook 1-2 minutes per side to brown.
- Pour the firecracker sauce over the meatballs and bring to a simmer. Simmer the meatballs in the sauce for 8-12 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through (165˚F internal temp.)
- Toss meatballs in the sauce, and garnish with sliced green onions and serve warm.
Recipe Notes
Substitutions: Swap in ground turkey or pork if you’d like.
How to Store: To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
How to Freeze: Refrigerate leftovers for up to a month.
How to Reheat: Thaw the meatballs in the fridge overnight. Reheat in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat or microwave until heated through.
How to Scale: To scale the recipe, make the recipe in two batches to avoid crowding the pan.
Nutrition Information
Serving:
3
meatballs
,
Calories:
306
kcal
(15%)
,
Carbohydrates:
28
g
(9%)
,
Protein:
23
g
(46%)
,
Fat:
12g (18%), Saturated Fat: 3g (19%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 118mg (39%), Sodium: 603mg (26%), Potassium: 729mg (21%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 20g (22%), Vitamin A: 164IU (3%), Vitamin C: 14mg (17%), Calcium: 51mg (5%), Iron: 2mg (11%)
