Description
A delicious recipe for Cherry-Coded Cranberry BBQ Meatballs that combines the savory flavors of baked chicken meatballs with a sweet and tangy cherry-cranberry barbecue sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup finely diced onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup whole berry or jellied cranberry sauce
- 1/2 cup cherry preserves or sweet cherry jam
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, diced onion, chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix gently until just incorporated.
- Shape the mixture into 24 evenly sized meatballs using slightly damp hands, and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs for 18–20 minutes, or until fully cooked and golden brown.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberry sauce, cherry preserves, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper (if desired). Season with salt and black pepper and bring to a simmer over medium heat for 8–10 minutes until thickened.
- Transfer the baked meatballs to the saucepan and gently toss to coat them in the sauce. Allow to simmer together for an additional 2–3 minutes.
- Serve the meatballs hot, garnished with additional chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the cayenne pepper in the sauce.
- These meatballs can be made ahead and frozen for future meals.
- Experiment with different types of ground meat for varied flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 meatballs
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 65mg