Sweet Pineapple Chicken Meatballs (Printable)
Juicy chicken meatballs glazed in a tangy-sweet pineapple sauce for a quick, satisfying family dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meatballs
01 - 1 lb ground chicken
02 - 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 2 green onions, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
07 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Pineapple Sauce
10 - 1 cup pineapple juice
11 - 1/2 cup canned pineapple chunks, drained
12 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce
13 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
14 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
15 - 1 tablespoon ketchup
16 - 2 teaspoons cornstarch
17 - 2 tablespoons water
→ Garnish
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
19 - Cooked rice or noodles, for serving (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, green onions, garlic, soy sauce, ginger, black pepper, and salt. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
03 - Shape the mixture into uniform 1-inch meatballs and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet with even spacing.
04 - Bake for 18-20 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F and lightly golden on the outside.
05 - While the meatballs bake, combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and ketchup in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
06 - In a small bowl, dissolve cornstarch in water to create a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens to a glossy glaze consistency.
07 - Stir in the drained pineapple chunks and simmer for an additional 2 minutes to heat through and meld the flavors.
08 - Transfer the baked meatballs into the saucepan with the pineapple sauce. Toss gently to coat each meatball evenly and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
09 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley. Pair over steamed rice or noodles if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sauce tastes like something from a restaurant but comes together with pantry staples in under ten minutes.
- Ground chicken stays incredibly tender when baked, and the sweet pineapple glaze makes every bite irresistible.
- Cleanup is minimal since the meatballs bake on one sheet and the sauce simmers in a single pan.
02 -
- Overmixing the ground chicken makes the meatballs tough and rubbery, so stop as soon as everything looks evenly combined.
- The cornstarch slurry must go in while the sauce is actively simmering or it will not thicken properly and you will end up with a thin broth instead of a glaze.
03 -
- Wet your hands slightly with cold water before rolling the meatballs and the mixture will not stick to your palms at all.
- Adding half a teaspoon of chili flakes to the sauce creates a sweet heat combination that transforms this from family friendly to dinner party impressive.