Healthy Chicken Meatballs Air Fryer Recipe
Looking for a quick, flavorful dinner that doesn’t skimp on taste? These Healthy Chicken Meatballs are your new go-to. Juicy, tender, and tossed in a sticky-sweet Asian-inspired sauce, they cook up in under 15 minutes and will make weeknight dinners a breeze.
This recipe came about when I was trying to whip up something fast that didn’t feel like just another rushed meal. These meatballs have quickly become one of my favorite things to make when I want something comforting, but with a little twist.
If you love asian inspired recipes, don’t miss out on my Healthy Asian Lettuce Wraps, Cold Noodles with Peanut Butter, or Thai Coconut Lime Chicken for more inspiration!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: 15 minutes of prep and less than 15 minutes of cook time.
- Versatile – Enjoy as a main meal or serve as an appetizer.
- Family-friendly: These are a hit with kids and adults alike.
- Better than takeout: All the flavor of your favorite Asian dish, made at home.
- Healthier option: Lean chicken and air frying make for a lighter meal.
Ingredients
This is a list of the ingredients that you need to make your grocery shopping easier. You can find the full list of the ingredients and amounts needed in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Ground chicken: The base of our meatballs, it keeps them light and tender.
- Finely chopped green onions: Adds a fresh bite of flavor.
- Minced garlic: Fresh garlic will give a better flavor, but jarred will also work.
- Bread crumbs: Helps bind everything together and keeps the meatballs juicy.
- Sesame oil: Adds that classic nutty flavor.
- Soy sauce: Enhances the umami factor.
- Ginger paste: Adds warmth and a subtle spice.
- Salt: Balances all the flavors.
- Rice vinegar: Adds a touch of tang.
- Honey: Balances out the salt and acid with sweetness.
- Sesame seeds: Finish it off with a little crunch.
How to Make Healthy Chicken Meatballs
This is a quick overview of the step-by-step instructions for making this recipe. You can find the complete list of instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Combine all meatball ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Use your hands to knead everything together until fully mixed.
- Form the mixture into even-sized meatballs and place them in the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
- Meanwhile, add all sauce ingredients to a small skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
- Simmer the sauce until it thickens slightly, then remove from heat.
- Toss the cooked meatballs in the sauce until fully coated. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.
Substitutions and Additions
- Swap ground chicken for turkey: A great lean alternative.
- Add chili flakes to the sauce: For a spicy kick.
- Use hoisin sauce instead of honey: For a deeper, slightly smoky sweetness.
- Top with chopped cilantro or green onions: For a fresh pop at the end.
- No ginger paste? Ginger paste is stronger than ground ginger, so you will need to add more powder to reach the same flavor. I recommend using 1 1/2-2 teaspoons of ground ginger in place of the paste.
How To Store
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or air fryer until warmed through.
- Freezing: Freeze cooked (or uncooked) meatballs for up to 2 months.
Sandra’s Pro Tips
- Wet your hands slightly to prevent the meat mixture from sticking while forming meatballs.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Cook in batches if needed.
- Let the sauce cool a bit before tossing the meatballs for the best coating.
FAQs
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.
Yes! Bake at 375°F for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Definitely. Prep the meatballs and store them in the fridge for up to a day before cooking.
They go great with rice, cauliflower rice, noodles, or even a fresh cucumber salad.
Other Delicious Recipes You May Enjoy
- Cheese Stuffed meatballs – with a creamy tomato sauce.
- Bitesize Buffalo Chicken Meatballs – with a homemade blue cheese dressing.
- Cranberry Meatballs – slow cooked to perfection.
- Lamb Meatballs – in a delicious spicy curry sauce.
Healthy Chicken Meatballs Air Fryer Recipe
Equipment
- air fryer
- mixing bowl
- skillet or small saucepan
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 1 pound Ground chicken
- 1 each Large egg lightly beaten
- ¼ Cup Finely chopped green onions
- 2 Teaspoon Minced garlic
- ⅓ Cup Bread crumbs or panko for keto, pork rinds
- ½ Teaspoon Sesame oil
- 1 Tablespoon Soy sauce reduced sodium
- 1 Teaspoon Ginger paste
- Salt to taste
For the sauce:
- ¼ Cup Soy sauce reduced sodium
- 1 Teaspoon Sesame oil
- 1 Tablespoon Rice vinegar
- 2 Tablespoon Honey
- 2 teaspoon Minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Ginger paste
- 1 Tablespoon Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Add the meatball ingredients to a mixing bowl, and gently knead with your hands until we'll combined.
- Form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs and place into the tray of the air fryer lightly coated with cooking spray, and spray the meatballs.
- Cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Turn the meatballs halfway through the cooking time.
- While the meatballs are cooking, place the sauce Ingredients into a skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
- Bring to a simmer, and continue to cook until the sauce begins to thicken a bit. Remove and allow to cool.
- Toss the meatballs in the sauce, and sprinkle with Sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Pre-heat oven to 375°F.
- Place meatballs on a lightly greased baking sheet covered with foil.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- While baking prepare sauce.
- Coat cooked meatballs with prepared sauce.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.
