This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission. Full Disclosure Policy.
Ground chicken blended with fresh flavors (lemongrass, garlic, ginger & cilantro), these baked chicken meatballs are a great lunch, dinner or party appetizer!
We are a house that loves MEATBALLS. Typically, we use ground beef, pork or even sausage and douse them in marinara sauce, and serve over pasta.
We love this recipe because it is a different take on your traditional meatball recipe – fresh Thai flavors without the burn!! I use lemongrass, ginger, garlic, and cilantro. Do you love spice? Add some heat with a teaspoon of sriracha, or a little hot sauce if you’re into it.
While I do brown these in an oven-safe skillet, and could actually cook them fully on the stove, I prefer to brown them up and then either put the skillet right in the oven or spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and bake in the oven.
You could serve these as an appetizer (just put some toothpicks in each one, and call it good), as a main dish with a few vegetable sides, or as a really great meal prep idea for lunch!
Are you a huge fan of meatball recipes? You will love these recipes! Try this Italian Meatball Soup, or these Meatball Bombs, or Albondigas!
Kylee’s Notes & FAQs
Additions & Substitutions
- Green onion – added along with the cilantro, gives more green and a lovely flavor.
- Fish sauce or soy sauce – if you’re looking for a little more umami flavor, adding a teaspoon of one or the other will be delicious.
- Lime juice – I love a little fresh lime in this recipe, it really brightens it up!
How do I know when chicken meatballs are done?
Use a digital thermometer, you need chicken to be 165 degrees F to be safe to eat.
Why are my meatballs tough?
Mixing TOO well can make your meatballs tough and chewy. Just a quick mix until the flavors blend is all that is needed. I like to sprinkle the seasonings over the top of the chicken, to help incorporate them into the mix without having to OVER mix.
What to serve with Thai chicken meatballs
Sides
Try some greens – how about sauteed green beans, roasted broccoli, or roasted asparagus
Dipping sauces
You could make your own dipping sauce, but I like to keep it super simple and use a store-bought sweet chili sauce (called Mae Ploy). I also add a little sriracha to some sour cream, and that’s good too!
Can you freeze chicken meatballs?
Yes, you can! These meatballs are SO good to make ahead and freeze well.
Freezing raw meatballs
Place on a baking sheet or sheet pan. cover loosely with plastic wrap and freeze several hours. Remove from the baking sheet, and store in a freezer-safe plastic bag. To eat, remove as many meatballs as you need and bake on a baking sheet in the oven at 400 degrees F. You’ll need 10-15 minutes.
Freezing cooked meatballs
Allow to cool completely and place on a baking sheet. cover loosely with plastic wrap and freeze several hours. Remove from the baking sheet, and store in a freezer-safe plastic bag. To eat, remove as many meatballs as you need and heat in the microwave until piping hot.
Ingredients:
This is an overview. The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.
- Ground chicken. Either make your own freshly ground chicken by putting chicken breast in a food processor and pulsing until coarse or grab it from the store. Ground turkey breast is a great substitute here too.
- Onion. Diced up finely!
- Fresh cilantro. Grab it, chop it, add it. Easy!
- Lemongrass. If you can’t find fresh lemongrass, don’t worry! You can buy lemongrass paste in the produce section, or online.
- Ginger. Grate it fresh or use ginger paste
- Garlic. Use a little extra if you are a garlic lover!
- Breadcrumbs. I use plain bread crumbs here
- Salt & pepper. To taste.
- Olive oil. For cooking. You can use any kind of oil that you like best.
How to make this recipe:
This is an overview. The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, add the chicken, cilantro, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, onion, salt & pepper.
- Mix with a spatula.
- Using a cookie scoop for evenly sized meatballs, scoop out.
- Roll in your hand to make balls.
- Place on a plate, and continue until the mixing bowl is empty!
- Add oil to an oven-safe skillet.
- Add the meatballs, and brown.
- Bake in the oven 8-10 minutes, until fully cooked.
Want to try this recipe?
Pin it to your favorite Pinterest Boards.
Find me on Pinterest for more delicious recipes!
Thai Chicken Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken (or turkey)
- 1/4 cup onion finely diced
- 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
- 2 tsp ginger grated
- 1 tsp lemongrass paste
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic minced very finely
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cracked pepper
- 2 Tbs vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Combine the ingredients (except for oil) in a bowl.
- Use a cookie scoop, and roll into small balls in your hands.
- In medium skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add meatballs and brown.
- Bake in the oven 8-12 minutes, until fully cooked.
- Devour.
Tips & Notes:
FREEZING RAW MEATBALLS
Place on a baking sheet. cover loosely with plastic wrap and freeze several hours. Remove from the baking sheet, and store in a freezer-safe plastic bag. To eat, remove as many meatballs as you need and bake on a baking sheet in the oven at 400 degrees F. You’ll need 10-15 minutes.FREEZING COOKED MEATBALLS
Allow to cool completely and place on a baking sheet. cover loosely with plastic wrap and freeze several hours. Remove from the baking sheet, and store in a freezer-safe plastic bag. To eat, remove as many meatballs as you need and heat in the microwave until piping hot.ADDITIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
- Green onion – added along with the cilantro, gives more green and a lovely flavor.
- Fish sauce or soy sauce – if you’re looking for a little more umami flavor, adding a teaspoon of one or the other will be delicious.
- Lime juice – I love a little fresh lime in this recipe, it really brightens it up!
nutrition facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
Recipes written and produced on Kylee Cooks are for informational purposes only. Kylee is not a certified nutritionist. Nutritional data provided on Kylee Cooks has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration.
Update: This was originally posted in October of 2015, and has been updated to improve reader experience, with new photos
Jaida says
Mmm….I looooves me some Thai flavors AND meatballs!! Get in mah bellah!!!
That Girl says
I was just thinking of making meatballs!
Noemi says
Made this for dinner tonight and turned out great!!!
Eric says
These are great!!! My wife is super picky and doesn’t like to eat vegetables that much. I made these one day and I put the cilantro and onions in a nutribullit with a little olive oil before mixing in with the chicken. I’m telling you, she freaks out if she feels a small piece of onion in her food, but she sure loved everything about this recipe. I made some peanut sauce as well to go with this and paired it with the recommended vegetables along with white rice. Made a fantastic dinner
Kylee says
Eric, this kind of MADE MY ENTIRE DAY! Glad your wife loved these meatballs – they’re a favorite in my house too!