Get ready to ignite your taste buds with these delightful firecracker chicken meatballs! These little flavor bombs are tender on the inside and perfectly caramelized on the outside. Drenched in a sweet and fiery sauce, they make for an irresistible appetizer or can be served over rice for a satisfying main course. Either way, prepare for a dish that will have everyone going back for seconds and thirds!

Why You’ll Love These Firecracker Chicken Meatballs

Party-Perfect: These sweet-and-spicy meatballs are guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering. With their sticky, glossy sauce, guests won’t be able to resist!

Make-Ahead Magic: You can prepare the meatballs and sauce the day before and keep them refrigerated. Just cook and combine them when you’re ready to serve!

Easy Cooking: They can be cooked on the stovetop, baked in the oven, or even air-fried—choose the method that suits you best!

Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy them as a stand-alone appetizer, or turn them into a meal by serving over fluffy rice, noodles, or even on a sub roll for a delicious meatball sub.

Ingredients

• Ground Chicken: Choose a combination of white and dark meat for juicy, flavorful meatballs.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: These are lighter and crispier than standard breadcrumbs, helping to bind the meatballs while keeping them tender.
• Egg: This acts as the binding agent, adding moisture and richness.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is essential for aromatic flavor, adding depth and savory notes.
• Seasonings: A balanced blend of salt, pepper, onion powder, and smoked paprika for a flavorful punch, with paprika adding a subtle smokiness.
• Hot Sauce: The spicy backbone of the firecracker sauce. Frank’s RedHot is a great choice for a mix of heat and tang.
• Light Brown Sugar: Provides a touch of sweetness to balance the heat and contributes to a glossy sauce.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds necessary acidity and tanginess to the sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes: For additional heat and visual appeal; adjust to taste based on your heat preference.

How to Make Firecracker Chicken Meatballs

These firecracker chicken meatballs are easy to prepare and can be cooked in three different ways. Let’s dive into the process:

1. Whisk: In a large bowl, combine the eggs, garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
2. Mix: Add the ground chicken and breadcrumbs to the bowl. Gently mix until just combined—do not overmix!
3. Form: Shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs (about 2 tablespoons each), aiming for 20-24 meatballs.
4. Stove-Top Method: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the meatballs for 5-7 minutes, turning frequently until they’re evenly browned.
5. Combine Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix hot sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Pour this into the skillet, stir, and cook for 4-5 minutes until the meatballs are coated and fully cooked.
6. Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Bake the meatballs for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through for even cooking.
7. Make Sauce: For the oven method, create the sauce in a saucepan by combining the ingredients, then simmer for 5-10 minutes. Once the meatballs are done baking, toss them in the sauce.
8. Air Fryer Method: Place meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer and cook at 400°F (205°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway. Prepare the sauce the same way as in the oven method. Toss the air-fried meatballs in the sauce, and they’re ready to go.
9. Serve: Present the meatballs with sauce drizzled on top, garnished with parsley if desired. Enjoy immediately!

Tips for the Best Firecracker Chicken Meatballs

For those perfect meatballs every time, keep these tips in mind:

• Keep Your Hands Cold: Cold hands are a secret ingredient when forming meatballs—they help prevent sticking and maintain juiciness. If the mixture is too wet, chill it for 15 minutes before shaping.
• Adjust the Heat Level: Modify the spice level by tweaking the amount of red pepper flakes or choosing a milder hot sauce. Feel free to add cayenne for an extra kick if desired.
• Uniform Size Matters: Use an ice cream scoop for consistent meatball sizes, ensuring even cooking throughout.
• Adjust the Spices: Taste the sauce and adjust it to your liking, adding more sugar for sweetness or hot sauce for heat.
• Cook in Batches: Avoid overcrowding your cooking space. If you’re cooking a large batch, do it in smaller portions for even browning.
• A Few Notes on the Sauce: If the sauce becomes too thick, add chicken broth or water a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Experiment: Try different hot sauces for unique flavors or substitute honey for brown sugar for a different sweetness profile.

What to Serve with Firecracker Chicken Meatballs

These meatballs can stand alone as a snack or appetizer, but if you’re looking to create a more substantial meal, consider pairing them with:

• Steamed white or brown rice
• Noodles tossed in a bit of sesame oil
• Crispy coleslaw on the side for a refreshing crunch
• Fresh veggies like bell peppers or cucumbers

Or take it up a notch with a hearty meatball sub, and you’ll be in for a treat!

How to Store

After you’ve made these incredible meatballs, you might find yourself wishing you had made a double batch. Don’t worry if you do have leftovers; here’s how to keep them fresh:

Make-Ahead: You can prepare the meatballs up to 24 hours in advance. Store them separately from the sauce, which also keeps well in the refrigerator.

To Store: Place any cooled meatballs and sauce in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to four days. It’s best to keep them in the coldest spot in the fridge (usually the bottom shelf towards the back).

To Freeze: Flash freeze the cooled meatballs for 1-2 hours on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Then transfer to freezer bags, where they can be stored for up to three months.

To Reheat: The best method for reheating is to place the meatballs and sauce in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, warming them for about 5-10 minutes. You can also use a microwave on a lower setting in 30-second intervals.

More Meatball Recipes You Have to Try

If you love these firecracker chicken meatballs, be sure to check out these other delicious meatball recipes:

• Dr. Pepper Crockpot Meatballs
• Crockpot Mississippi Meatballs
• Cranberry Meatballs
• Marry Me Chicken Meatballs