This Hot Honey Chicken Meatballs Recipe is the ultimate bite - savory, sweet, and spicy all in one. Ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, and spices form tender meatballs that get baked to juicy perfection, then coated in a spicy honey glaze that is so addicting! Simple to make, means they are perfect for a weeknight dinner or as a go-to snack for any casual get-together. Best of all: they are freezer friendly, meaning you can indulge whenever the craving hits.
For more ways to liven up everything from weeknight dinners to condiments to snacks, take a look at all our Hot Honey Recipes.
Take a quick look and you'll see we're all about the sweet and spicy combination. It all started with our hot honey sauce recipe, and we've been obsessed ever since, even creating the ultimate homemade hot honey recipe. But we didn't stop there!
These Hot Honey Chicken Meatballs are the latest edition to the line-up. You're going to want these on your menu because:
- Perfect texture - juicy on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside, creating a delectable bite every time
- Exciting Flavor - a well-balanced blend of sweet honey and spicy heat, guarantees they are anything but boring.
- Make-Ahead Wonders - they are freezer-friendly, meaning you can prepare them in advance and enjoy whenever the craving strikes.
- Versatile - ideal as delicious dinner, a high-protein snack, a crowd-pleasing party appetizer, or a tasty addition to your Game Day Recipes.
- Easy - No searing and no chopping required!
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Ingredients for hot honey chicken meatballs
Ingredient quantities are in the recipe card below, but here are a few noteworthy tips.
- Ground chicken: The neutral flavor of chicken is our favorite, but ground turkey will work as well.
- Olive oil: This imparts great flavor and helps keep the meatball moist.
- Egg: Helps to bind the ingredients together.
- Panko breadcrumbs: The larger texture of panko helps keep them tender.
- Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper all work together in the meatballs and the sauce to create a flavorful punch!
- Honey: Regular or spicy honey are great here.
- Butter: Helps the consistency of the sauce and, of course, the flavor.
Helpful kitchen tools
Serving Platters
ToothpicksSmall Cookie ScoopSmall BowlsCeramic Dipping Sauce BowlsHoney
How to make chicken meatballs in hot honey sauce
These are super easy to make! I love whipping up a double or triple batch to stash in the freezer.
Place the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, oil, and spices into a large bowl. Make sure the bowl is large enough to work comfortably.
With a gentle hand, mix together the ingredients until they are just combined. It is important to keep a light touch or else the meatballs will be tough.
I prefer to use my hand for more control over the final texture, but you can use a spoon. Just keep in mind that over working the meat mixture will result in a meatball that is not tender.
Use a 1 tablespoon size scoop to measure out the meatballs. Don't pack the scoop full - again, use just enough pressure to fill but not jam the mixture in. We want to everything possible to get tender meatballs!
Carefully rolling each one by hand before placing on a sheet pan. If you do not have a scoop use a large spoon or a measuring spoon.
Place the meatballs evenly across the sheet pan leaving space between each one. It should yield approximately 30.
Bake for 25-30 minutes at 400ºF. They will just be turning golden brown and the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer should be 165ºF per the USDA.
While they cook, prepare the glaze by mixing together the sauce ingredients. For a step-by-step guide see this Hot Honey Sauce Recipe.
Using a small spoon to glaze each meatball with about 1 teaspoon of sauce. Pile on a platter and serve with any extra sauce alongside.
How to freeze chicken meatballs
Poultry meatballs, chicken or turkey, can be frozen ahead. There are two different methods. Either method will last up to three months if stored in a freezer -safe airtight container.
To freeze before baking, follow the recipe until all spicy meatballs are rolled and placed on baking sheet. Pop the tray into the freezer for one hour. Once they are frozen solid, place in a freezer bag. When it is time to bake, follow the instructions adding on 3-5 minutes.
To freeze after baking, allow them to cool completely. Once they are room temperature pop the pan into the freezer and allow them to freeze for at least one hour. Remove tray and place all the cooked meatballs in a freezer safe bag. When it is time to eat, add them to a large skillet set to medium heat with a tablespoon or two of water and cover for 10-12 minutes. Add the sauce to the meatballs as soon as they are warmed through.
FAQ
Yes. Ground turkey can easily be substituted. Try one that has both white and dark meat for a more juicy and tender final result.
The main two culprits for tough meatballs are too much handling or over baking.
In order to ensure a tender final product, be sure to use a gentle touch when mixing, scooping, and rolling. Then take out of the oven when they reach an internal temperature of 165ºF based on an quick read thermometer.
These are such a versatile recipe- wonderful for both the main dish of a meal or the appetizer at any party or event. Because they can be made ahead and frozen, they are an ideal holiday dish. If you're looking for more holiday serving ideas, check out our Thanksgiving recipes.
Tips and tricks
The most important point when making meatballs is to keep a light hand. Making sure not to compact the mixture too much at any point.
- Using your hands to mix up the ground meat with the rest of the ingredients is the very best way to keep it tender. A spoon can be used if necessary, but be extra careful to stir gently.
- When scooping the mixture, don't press too hard. You want the mix loosely packed in the scoop.
- Use a soft touch when rolling the balls. Just enough pressure to help them come together into a ball.
More ways to use hot honey
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe
Hot Honey Chicken Meatballs Recipe
Equipment
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
Chicken Meatballs
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 egg
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Hot Honey Sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400ºF. For easy clean up, line cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- Place all meatball ingredients in a bowl. Gently mix together until combined. Be careful not to overwork the meat or it will be tough.
- Roll into balls using a 1 tablespoon sized scoop. Place on cookie sheet leaving room between each. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
- While the meatballs are in the oven, place all the hot honey glaze ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine. Set aside until meatballs are finished.
- Once they are finished baking, glaze with hot honey sauce. Serve immediately.
Notes
The most important point when making meatballs is to keep a light hand. Making sure not to compact the mixture too much at any point.
-
- Using your hands to mix up the ground meat with the rest of the ingredients is the very best way to keep it tender. A spoon can be used if necessary, but be extra careful to stir gently.
-
- When scooping the mixture, don't press too hard. You want the mix loosely packed in the scoop.
-
- Use a soft touch when rolling the balls. Just enough pressure to help them come together into a ball.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Danielle says
These meatballs are the perfect nutritious snack!