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Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs are moist and delicious, and you can make these homemade baked chicken meatballs in under 40 minutes. Tender meatballs and teriyaki sauce are a marriage made in heaven. Garlic, ginger and sesame oil provide the Asian flavors you love. Serve teriyaki meatballs and rice for an easy dinner the whole family will enjoy.
If you are a fan of teriyaki chicken, you will love these teriyaki chicken meatballs covered in sticky sweet teriyaki sauce. Skip the frying because these baked meatballs cook in under 15 minutes with no added oils. Toss the meatballs and teriyaki sauce together and simmer until everything comes together, then top with sesame seeds for extra crunch. Make baked chicken meatballs for a quick weeknight meal.
If you love meatballs, try my Thai Chicken Meatballs, Chicken Swedish Meatballs or Baked Keto Turkey Meatballs.
Why You’ll Love This Teriyaki Meatball Recipe
- It’s so easy. Baking these meatballs is easy and quick and uses less oil, so they are healthier than pan-fried meatballs.
- It’s got an umami flavor. Not your typical meatball dinner, the sweet teriyaki sauce topping these meatballs has that umami flavor you crave in Asian food.
- It’s a crowd-pleaser. Teriyaki sauce is sweet and delicious, so this is always a popular meal with kids and adults alike.
Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs Ingredients
For the Chicken Meatballs
- Chicken: Use ground chicken or ground turkey to make these light meatballs.
- Breadcrumbs: Select plain or seasoned breadcrumbs. Use gluten free breadcrumbs if desired.
- Aromatics: chopped green onion and minced garlic add flavor and aroma.
- Egg: a room-temperature egg helps to bind the ingredients together.
- Salt and Ground Pepper: to season the meat.
For the Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
- Soy Sauce: use low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness. Select tamari or amino acids for a gluten free alternative.
- Hoisin Sauce: This thick sweet and salty sauce adds excellent flavor. Hoisin is not typically gluten free because it contains soy sauce, but gluten free options are available.
- Rice Vinegar: adds a mild, slightly sweet tanginess. You can substitute apple cider vinegar.
- Brown Sugar: sugar adds sweetness to the sauce. You can reduce the amount as desired to taste. Substitute honey if preferred.
- Cornstarch Slurry: to thicken the sauce.
Garnishing
- Sesame Seeds: to garnish
- Green Onions: chopped, to garnish
- Cucumber: sliced, to serve
- Carrots: julienned, to serve
How To Make Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs
- Prepare the equipment. Preheat the oven to 450 grees F. Line a parchment paper over a baking tray and keep it aside.
- Prepare the chicken meatballs. In a large bowl, combine the meatball ingredients. Mix it well until everything comes together. With the help of an ice cream scooper, scoop the meatball mixture and roll it into a ball. Repeat the same with the remaining mixture.
- Bake the meatballs. Arrange the meatballs evenly and bake the meatballs for 10-12 minutes. Once done, set it aside.
- Prepare the teriyaki sauce. Heat a large skillet over medium heat; whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar. Bring it to a boil and add the cornstarch slurry (2 teaspoons cornstarch + 2 teaspoons water). Cook until the sauce thickens.
- Combine the meatballs and serve. Add the baked meatballs to the sauce and toss until the teriyaki sauce is well coated. Add in the sesame seeds and green onions and give it a quick mix. Serve the Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs over the rice along with the cucumber and carrots on the sides to enjoy.
Tips To Make Meatballs in Teriyaki Sauce
- Season the meat mixture conservatively, as the teriyaki sauce is quite salty.
- Using low sodium soy sauce is a great way to control the saltiness.
- You can use panko or regular breadcrumbs.
- Reduce the amount of brown sugar to reduce the overall sweetness of the teriyaki sauce.
- Add a little heat by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or some Asian chili sauce.
- Blend the meatball mixture with your hands until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Use a 1” cookie or ice cream scoop to make even-sized meatballs.
- If you have time, allow the meatballs to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. The meatballs will be more flavorful and tender.
- Cook the meatballs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F when checked with a digital thermometer.
- Meatballs pair perfectly with rice, but you can also serve them with noodles, mashed potatoes, or with stir-fry vegetables and greens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Make the meatball mixture and bake up to 2 days in advance. Store the meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge. When ready to serve, prepare the teriyaki sauce and heat the meatballs in the skillet.
Air frying the meatballs is a great alternative to baking. Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F. Add the meatballs and cook for 10 minutes or until cooked through.
Ground chicken or ground turkey has less fat, less cholesterol and fewer calories than ground beef or ground pork. Still, you can certainly substitute the meat of your choice or use a combination to make these meatballs.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or skillet until warmed through. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a splash of water to thin the sauce.
Cool the meatballs completely, transfer them to a freezer bag or container, and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat.
These meatballs are perfect for serving with steamed rice or Cauliflower Rice. Add your favorite steamed or stir-fried veggies to make a full meal. You can also serve these as an appetizer.
More Teriyaki Recipes
- Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
- Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry
- Baked Teriyaki Salmon
- Teriyaki Salmon Stir Fry
- Spicy Teriyaki Chicken with Broccoli
- Teriyaki Shrimp
I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it, and share it with your friends and family!
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Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 1 lb ground chicken
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
For the sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch + 2 teaspoons water
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, to garnish
- Chopped green onions, to garnish
- ½ cup sliced cucumber, to serve
- ½ cup julienned carrots, to serve
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 grees F. Line a parchment paper over a baking tray and keep it aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the meatball ingredients. Mix it well until everything comes together.
- With the help of an ice cream scooper, scoop the meatball mixture and roll it into a ball. Repeat the same with the remaining mixture.
- Arrange the meatballs evenly and bake the meatballs for 10-12 minutes. Once done, set it aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat; whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar. Bring it to a boil and add the cornstarch slurry (2 teaspoons cornstarch + 2 teaspoons water). Cook until the sauce thickens.
- Add the baked meatballs to the sauce and toss until the teriyaki sauce is well coated. Add in the sesame seeds and green onions and give it a quick mix.
- Serve the Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs over the rice along with the cucumber and carrots on the sides to enjoy.
Notes
- Season the meat mixture conservatively, as the teriyaki sauce is quite salty.
- Using low sodium soy sauce is a great way to control the saltiness.
- You can use panko or regular breadcrumbs.
- Reduce the amount of brown sugar to reduce the overall sweetness of the teriyaki sauce.
- Add a little heat by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or some Asian chili sauce.
- Blend the meatball mixture with your hands until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Use a 1” cookie or ice cream scoop to make even-sized meatballs.
- If you have time, allow the meatballs to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking. The meatballs will be more flavorful and tender.
- Cook the meatballs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F when checked with a digital thermometer.
- Meatballs pair perfectly with rice, but you can also serve them with noodles, mashed potatoes, or with stir-fry vegetables and greens.
