Sweet and Spicy Chicken Meatballs
Published Feb. 6, 2025
- Total Time
- 35 minutes
- Prep Time
- 10 minutes
- Cook Time
- 25 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
Ingredients
- 1pound ground chicken (or pork)
- 1large egg, beaten
- 1cup roughly chopped cilantro leaves and stems, tightly packed
- ½ cup dried bread crumbs
- ½ cup pitted and chopped dates
- 3tablespoons finely grated fresh citrus zest (from limes, lemons or oranges or all three)
- 1tablespoon grated or minced garlic (from 4 to 5 cloves)
- 1½ to 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper, to taste
- 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 2teaspoons kosher salt, such as Diamond Crystal (or 1 teaspoon fine sea salt)
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)
325 calories; 12 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 34 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 20 grams sugars; 24 grams protein; 433 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
- Step 1
Heat the oven to 450 degrees and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Step 2
To a large bowl, add all the ingredients. With your hand, a spoon or two forks, gently mix to combine everything very well.
- Step 3
Roll the meatball mixture into 1½- to 2-inch balls and transfer to the prepared sheet pan. Roast the meatballs, turning them with tongs once halfway through, until golden brown and firm, 10 to 12 minutes.
Private Notes
Comments
These were a hit with my wife and 5-year-old. Made it as described with chicken, using deglet noor dates (sold at my local Target in the snack/dried fruit section). I worried it was way too much cilantro but the leaves cooked down in the oven. Served with white rice and steamed broccoli. I made a pomegranate molasses sauce from 2 tbl. each pomegranate syrup, soy sauce, ketchup and honey, 1 tea. yellow mustard, and some garlic powder, salt and pepper (just whisk). I'm very glad I did!
Made it with ground turkey and parsley instead of cilantro which was what was on hand, fantastic! served with a dipping sauce: 1/4 C each low sodium soy sauce and rice vinegar, 2 T sesame oil, big pinch each of red pepper flakes and sugar. It's going in notebook with favorite recipes.
Really liked this dish. If I made it again I would use less dates to make it a little less sweet. Also ended up having to cook it a little longer than suggested.
WOW WOW WOW! These are outrageously delish. I made with ground pork. Followed recipe pretty much exactly as written. I chopped up a bit of lemon flesh and added it to the mix. My little next door neighbor (5) ate two of them. We served with lettuce, watercress and tomato salad. Definitely a favorite!
Amazing! I thought the cilantro would be too much for the recipe but, if you’re one of the people that likes it, go ahead with the full amount: that’s the beginning of a very pleasant culinary experience. I eyeballed the dates: used 6 for 1.5 lbs of ground turkey. I also slightly reduced the cumin and salt amounts and they were perfect for my family! I’m from Italy and typically make Italian style meatballs with grated Parmesan, finely chopped onions and parsley. But this recipe won me over big time and I think it’ll be long before I make Italian baked “polpettine” again! Love me some sweet and spicy meatballs instead!!
Really enjoy these as written, but I feel they need a sauce.