Pineapple Chicken Turkey Meatballs (Printable)
Tender chicken or turkey meatballs in a sweet, tangy pineapple glaze. Perfect as appetizers or served over rice for a satisfying meal.
# What You Need:
→ Meatballs
01 - 1 lb ground chicken or turkey
02 - 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 2 green onions, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
07 - 1 tbsp soy sauce
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Pineapple Sauce
10 - 1 cup pineapple juice
11 - 1/2 cup water
12 - 1/3 cup brown sugar
13 - 1/3 cup soy sauce
14 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
15 - 1 tbsp cornstarch
16 - 1 (8 oz) can pineapple chunks, drained
17 - 1 red bell pepper, chopped
18 - 1 tbsp vegetable oil
19 - 1/4 tsp chili flakes
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or grease lightly.
02 - Combine ground chicken or turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, green onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, salt, and black pepper in large bowl. Mix until just combined.
03 - Roll mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place on prepared baking sheet.
04 - Bake for 15-18 minutes until cooked through and lightly golden.
05 - Whisk together pineapple juice, water, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and cornstarch in small bowl until smooth.
06 - Heat vegetable oil in large skillet over medium heat. Sauté red bell pepper for 2 minutes. Add pineapple chunks and cook 2 more minutes.
07 - Pour pineapple sauce mixture into skillet. Bring to simmer, stirring constantly until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
08 - Add baked meatballs to sauce and toss gently to coat. Simmer 2-3 minutes to heat through. Serve hot, garnished with extra green onion or sesame seeds if desired.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The sauce hits that perfect sweet and tangy balance that makes everyone reach for seconds
- These meatballs freeze beautifully so you can keep a stash for busy weeks
02 -
- The sauce thickens quickly so keep stirring once it starts bubbling
- Meatballs continue cooking slightly in the sauce so pull them from the oven when just done
03 -
- Use a cookie scoop for perfectly uniform meatballs every time
- Toast your sesame oil in a separate pan then drizzle over the finished dish