Enjoy this easy chicken pineapple meatball recipe for any day of the week family dinner or a special occasion celebrating with tropical flavors.
Though you can make this dish year round I like the idea of it for summer with fresh and crushed pineapple for a tropical feast.
How to Make Chicken Meatballs with a Pineapple Sauce
Step 1 - Mix Meatball Ingredients Together
Start by mixing the ground chicken together with bread crumbs, a beaten egg, and the seasonings in a large bowl.
Step 2 - Portion and Roll Meatballs
Portion the mixture into four parts. Roll 5 meatballs out of each portion and place them on a parchment lined baking pan.
Tip: Rub a little oil on your hands to help keep the mixture from sticking to your hands and easier to roll.
Step 3 - Bake Meatballs
Bake the meatballs in the center of the oven for about 25 minutes or until they are cooked through and lightly browned.
Step 4 - Make the Sauce
Meanwhile, make the sauce. Start by sauteing onions and red pepper in olive oil. Then add brown sugar, water, crushed pineapple with juice, red pepper flakes, ground ginger, and tamari sauce (or soy).
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Note: I keep tamari sauce in the refrigerator so I usually use it. It's a little less salty and thicker than soy sauce. However, soy sauce is very similar and will work just as well.
Step 5 - Combine the Meatballs and Sauce Together
Toss the baked meatballs into the sauce and let them simmer for a couple of minutes before serving.
Of course, rice is the perfect side with these meatballs. However, you could serve them with some rice noodles or stir-fried or steamed veggies. I also like to add a few fresh chunks of pineapple to each serving.
They are sweet and tangy with a tiny bit of heat. Something I think everyone will enjoy.
Chicken Pineapple Meatball Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1 egg beaten
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Pineapple Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion
- 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
- 2 teaspoons Tamari or Soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3/4 cup crushed pineapple in pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger or 1/4 teaspoon fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup fresh pineapple pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
- Make the meatballs by combining ground chicken, panko bread crumbs, beaten egg, chopped parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Divide the meatball mixture into four portions and roll five meatballs from each.
- Place the meatballs on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce by sauteing onions and red pepper in olive oil in a large skillet for a few minutes. Add brown sugar, crushed pineapple with juice, red pepper flakes, ginger, water, and Tamari (or soy). Stir well.
- Simmer for 5 minutes or more to reduce.
- Add meatballs to the sauce and coat well. Simmer for another minute or two.
- Serve with rice and fresh pineapple chunks.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although attempts have been made to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Brett
Perfection, what a great recipe ! Thank you
Patti Estep
Glad you like it!