Name: Easy Thai Baked Chicken Meatballs: Best 30 Minute Meal
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 1 lb ground chicken; 0.5 cup breadcrumbs; 1 egg; 2 tablespoons cilantro; 2 green onions; 1 tablespoon ginger; 1 tablespoon garlic; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 0.5 teaspoon salt

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I’m always hunting for meals that hit those big flavors without me having to stand over a stove for hours. These meatballs are a total life-saver in my house because they have all those zingy Thai vibes but you just toss them on a sheet pan and let the oven do the work. I still remember the first time I whipped these up; the whole house smelled like fresh ginger and lime and my family basically inhaled the entire tray before I could even set the table. You can get these on the table in about 35 minutes flat. One thing people always ask me is how to keep them from drying out so I will show you exactly how to get them juicy every single time.

Why You Will Love Easy Thai Baked Chicken Meatballs

You are going to love these because they are so easy to switch up and stay on the healthy side. I usually use ground chicken because it is nice and lean but honestly we have made this recipe using beef instead of chicken and it is just as good. Plus since we are baking them instead of frying you do not have to deal with oil splattering all over your clean kitchen. It is basically restaurant quality without the delivery fee and you can have the whole thing ready in only 35 minutes.

Ingredients for Easy Thai Baked Chicken Meatballs

1 pound ground chicken or ground beef
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg lightly beaten
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro finely chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
2 green onions thinly sliced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon red chili flakes for a little kick
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

How to Make Easy Thai Baked Chicken Meatballs

Follow these simple steps to get dinner on the table:

First things first get that oven preheating to 400 degrees and line a large baking sheet with some parchment paper so cleanup is a breeze.
Grab a big bowl and throw in your ground meat breadcrumbs egg cilantro garlic ginger and those green onions.
Add your soy sauce lime juice salt pepper and those chili flakes into the mix.
Give it a gentle mix with your hands or a big spoon until it is just combined. Try not to overwork the meat or it will get tough.
Scoop out about two tablespoons of the mixture and roll it into a ball then place it on your prepared baking sheet.
Keep going until all the meat is used up and make sure to leave about an inch of space between each ball.
Bake them for about 18 to 20 minutes until they are cooked all the way through and look golden brown on the outside.

Pro Tips for Easy Thai Baked Chicken Meatballs

If you want your Easy Thai Baked Chicken Meatballs to stay super tender the biggest secret is to not over-mix the meat. If you mess with it too much they can turn into little dense rocks. Also if the mixture is sticking to your hands like crazy just rub a little bit of olive oil on your palms and they will roll right off. I always suggest using a meat thermometer to make sure they hit an internal temperature of 165 degrees because that is the sweet spot for juicy results.

Serving Suggestions

These Easy Thai Baked Chicken Meatballs are amazing over a big pile of jasmine rice or even some rice noodles to soak up all those flavors. If I am trying to keep things light I will do cauliflower rice or a crunchy cucumber salad on the side. They also make a killer appetizer if you serve them with a little bowl of sweet chili sauce or a creamy peanut sauce for dipping.

FAQ

Can I freeze these meatballs?

You sure can. You can freeze them either cooked or uncooked. If they are already cooked just let them cool down completely and toss them in a freezer bag for up to three months. When you are ready to eat just reheat them in the oven at 350 degrees until they are hot.

What can I use instead of soy sauce?

If you are out of soy sauce you can use liquid aminos or tamari. If you want a little more moisture and depth you can even use a splash of chicken broth instead.

Can I use a different meat?

We will make this recipe using chicken most days but you can easily swap it out for ground beef or turkey. The cooking time stays pretty much the same but just keep an eye on them so they do not overcook.

Nutritional Information for Easy Thai Baked Chicken Meatballs

This is an estimate for a serving of four meatballs.

Calories: 245 kcal
Protein: 22g
Fat: 12g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 580mg