BBQ Chicken Meatballs feature ground chicken meatballs pan-fried in a delicious, tangy bbq sauce. These versatile bbq meatballs are a great one-skillet dinner or quick party appetizer.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: BBQ Chicken Meatballs
🕒 Ready In: ~25 minutes
👪 Serves: 4
🍽 Calories: ~430 calories per serving (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, BBQ sauce
📖 Dietary Info: Dairy-free; gluten-free option; made with simple pantry ingredients
👌 Difficulty: Easy - mix, shape, brown, and simmer
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Ground chicken, breadcrumbs, and classic seasonings come together to form tender meatballs that brown beautifully before simmering in your favorite BBQ sauce. The short stovetop cook time gives them deep flavor and a sticky, glossy coating, without baking, broiling, or using multiple pans. They're perfect for weeknights, meal prep, game day, or serving as a family-friendly appetizer.
If you love easy, flavor-forward dinners, try our Honey Mustard Chicken, simple Baked Ranch Pork Chops, or crowd-pleasing Shrimp Stir Fry next. They all use real ingredients and minimal prep, just like these juicy BBQ Chicken Meatballs.
Jump to:
- A Quick Look at the Recipe
- Why You'll Love these BBQ Chicken Meatballs:
- Key Ingredients:
- Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- How to Make BBQ Chicken Meatballs:
- Recipe Notes & Tips:
- How to Store:
- BBQ Chicken Meatballs FAQs:
- More Meatball Recipes You'll Love
- Get a FREE Healthy Meal Planning Ebook
- BBQ Chicken Meatballs
Why You'll Love these BBQ Chicken Meatballs:
Quick and easy: Made in under 30 minutes with minimal prep, perfect for busy weeknights.
Family-friendly: Sweet, savory BBQ sauce and tender chicken meatballs make this a crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike.
Versatile: Great as a main dish, party appetizer, or even stuffed into sandwiches or sliders.
One-pan simplicity: Everything cooks in one skillet for easy cleanup.
Customizable: Use your favorite BBQ sauce or our sweet and smokey homemade bbq sauce.
Key Ingredients:
- ground chicken. Lean and mild in flavor, it absorbs seasonings and BBQ sauce well. Ground turkey can be used as a substitute if desired.
- breadcrumbs. Helps bind the meatballs and keep them tender. Use regular, whole grain, or gluten-free breadcrumbs based on preference.
- egg. Acts as a binder to help hold the meatballs together during cooking.
- bbq sauce. Coats the meatballs in a sweet and tangy glaze. Choose your favorite brand or Homemade BBQ Sauce for a personalized touch.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- Swap the protein: Ground turkey works exactly the same as ground chicken. Ground beef and ground pork also work, but the cooking time may be slightly shorter because they brown faster.
- Change the binder: Use panko, regular breadcrumbs, or gluten-free breadcrumbs. If you want a firmer meatball, add an extra tablespoon of breadcrumbs.
- Make them spicier: Add ¼-½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or a pinch of chili flakes. A spicy BBQ sauce also adds heat without changing the base recipe.
- Make them sweeter or tangier: Since the BBQ sauce carries the flavor, switching brands dramatically changes the final result. Choose a sweeter sauce for kids, or a tangy/vinegar-based sauce for a sharper finish.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Meatballs:
- Step 1: In a large bowl, mix together the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until just combined. Do not over mix.
- Step 2: Form the mixture into 1½-inch meatballs. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer.
- Step 3: Cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until all sides are browned and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, pour the BBQ sauce over the meatballs, and gently toss to coat. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Don't over mix the meat: Gently combine the ingredients to keep the meatballs tender, not dense.
- Uniform size matters: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to ensure even-sized meatballs for consistent cooking.
- Cook in batches if needed: Avoid overcrowding the skillet so the meatballs brown properly on all sides.
- Use a meat thermometer: Internal temperature should reach 165°F to ensure the meatballs are fully cooked.
- Sauce consistency: Let the BBQ sauce simmer briefly to thicken slightly and cling better to the meatballs.
- Make-ahead friendly: Form meatballs in advance and refrigerate (up to 24 hours) or freeze raw for quick future meals.
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How to Store:
Refrigerate: Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Let the meatballs cool completely, then freeze in a single layer before transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container. Store for up to 2 months.
Reheat: Warm in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or extra BBQ sauce until heated through.
BBQ Chicken Meatballs FAQs:
Chicken meatballs fall apart when the mixture is too wet or under-mixed. Make sure to use the full amount of breadcrumbs and egg, they bind the mixture together. If it still feels loose, add 1-2 extra tablespoons of breadcrumbs until the mixture holds its shape easily.
This happens when the pan isn't hot enough or there isn't enough oil. Heat the skillet fully before adding the meatballs, and use 1 tablespoon of olive oil for the first batch. Let the meatballs sear undisturbed for a minute before turning them.
Absolutely. Bake them at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, or until they reach 165°F, then toss with warm BBQ sauce. The stovetop version develops deeper browning, but baking is more hands-off.
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BBQ Chicken Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ cups bbq sauce
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until just combined. Do not over mix.
- Form the mixture into 1½-inch meatballs using a cookie scoop or your hands.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer (cook in batches if needed).
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until all sides are browned and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Reduce heat to low, pour the BBQ sauce over the meatballs, and gently toss to coat.
- Simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened.
- Serve immediately with extra sauce if desired.
Nutrition
Notes
- Don't over mix the meat: Gently combine the ingredients to keep the meatballs tender, not dense.
- Uniform size matters: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to ensure even-sized meatballs for consistent cooking.
- Cook in batches if needed: Avoid overcrowding the skillet so the meatballs brown properly on all sides.
- Use a meat thermometer: Internal temperature should reach 165°F to ensure the meatballs are fully cooked.
- Sauce consistency: Let the BBQ sauce simmer briefly to thicken slightly and cling better to the meatballs.
- Make-ahead friendly: Form meatballs in advance and refrigerate (up to 24 hours) or freeze raw for quick future meals.
Sally says
Loved that these were made with ground chicken instead of beef as my doctor says i need to cut back on red meat. Very tasty, but healthier.