Cranberry Orange Chicken Meatballs
A vibrant blend of ground chicken, seasonal spices, and a sweet-tangy sauce that makes for a delightful dish perfect for any festive occasion.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 lb Ground Chicken (Can substitute with ground turkey.)
- 1 cup Breadcrumbs (Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for gluten-free version.)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (Grated.)
- 1 large Egg (Lightly beaten.)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (Can substitute with 2 tsp dried parsley.)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Minced.)
- 1 tbsp Orange Zest (Fresh.)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black Pepper
For the Sauce
- 1 cup Cranberry Sauce (High-quality for best flavor.)
- 1/4 cup Orange Juice (Fresh-squeezed preferred.)
- 1/4 cup Honey (Adjust according to preference.)
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce (Check for gluten-free varieties.)
- 1 tsp Ground Ginger
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, mix together the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, garlic, orange zest, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until they are cooked through and golden brown.
Make the Sauce
- In a saucepan, combine the cranberry sauce, orange juice, honey, soy sauce, and ground ginger. Cook over medium heat until the sauce starts to bubble, stirring occasionally.
Combine
- Once the meatballs are done baking, remove them from the oven and add them to the sauce. Toss well to coat.
Notes
For added moisture, consider including finely grated carrot or zucchini in the mixture. Taste the mixture before baking and adjust the spices according to preference. For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 14gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 300mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5g
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