Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs

Where are all my meatball fans?! These Cranberry Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs are going to become your new favorite! The sweet and spicy sauce that the meatballs are tossed in is lip smacking delicious! Wow this combo is amazing and will be on repeat here for sure! Serve them up over cauliflower rice or along side some delicious coleslaw and watch them disappear. Warning, you may want to double this one so you have some leftovers! If you love meatballs you may want to try these Buffalo Turkey Meatballs or these delicious Gluten Free Chicken Meatballs in a creamy garlic, lemon and basil sauce.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

These Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs are ready in half an hour and can be made any day of the week! Double or Triple this recipe for a fantastic game day food that everyone will devour. They are bursting with flavor!

Ingredients You Will Need

Ground Chicken: Ground chicken is a lean, versatile protein that helps absorb the flavors of the seasoning and sauce easily, making it a good choice for these flavorful meatballs.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Olive oil stands out as an excellent choice for sautéing, adding richness and enhancing the natural flavors of foods with its versatility.

Onion: I prefer yellow onion for this recipe as it has a bolder flavor than sweet onions but you can certainly use sweet if you prefer.

Almond Flour: Almond flour is typically finer and made from blanched almonds, while almond meal is coarser and often includes the almond skins in its preparation. You can use either in this recipe.

Egg: Eggs are a good source of protein and vitamins and are one of the few foods that should be classified as "superfoods"

Salt: Elevates the overall flavor of any dish. Always salt in moderation in accordance with your dietary preferences.

Dried Cranberries: Dried cranberries are made by partially dehydrating fresh cranberries which gives them a chewy texture much like raisins. They are the perfect additions to these meatballs to add a delicious burst of sweet, tart and tang all at once.

Jalapeño: Jalapeño peppers are a type of chili pepper. The are the most popular hot pepper in the United States and are a key ingredient in Mexican cooking. They can range from mild to very hot. I like them because you can control the level of heat to your desired taste but using less or more of them.

Ketchup: I prefer unsweetened ketchup that allows the true sweetness from the tomatoes to shine through.

Coconut Aminos: A gluten free and soy-free alternative to traditional soy sauce, coconut aminos bring a rich umami flavor and a subtle saltiness and sweetness to a dish.

Instructions

Prepare the Meatballs: Combine in a bowl, chicken, almond flour, onions, egg & salt and gently mix with your hands and form into 16-18 meatballs.

Cook the Meatballs: Heat oil in a large fry pan and cook meatballs till browning on all sides, about 5-8 minutes.

Make the Sauce: Meanwhile, in a blender combine sauce ingredients and blend till smooth.

Cook the Sauce: Add sauce to pan and toss meatballs to coat cooking about 5 minutes. If sauce is too thick, add a little more water and stir.

Enjoy!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Double this Recipe: My best tip is to double this recipe because there are never enough! I love having leftovers for lunch the next day over cauliflower rice or a salad.

Prep the Sauce Ahead: Making these meatballs for a crowd or on game day? Go ahead and make the sauce up to 3 days ahead and store in a glass ball jar in the refrigerator. Note that you may need to add a bit of water to thin it out before cooking.

Recipe Variations

Ground Turkey or Beef: You can substitute ground turkey or beef for the ground chicken if you prefer. Note that the beef will take a little longer to cook.

Chili Peppers: Want to kick these up a notch, use chili peppers in place of Jalapeño but they will be HOT!

Storage Tips

These Cranberry Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs can be stored in the fridge for 4-5 days when placed in a sealed airtight glass container, and it's freezer-safe for up to 6 months.

FAQs About Cranberry Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs

What can I serve with Cranberry Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs?

I love serving these flavorful meatballs with one of my coleslaw recipes. The creaminess of the slaw is the perfect accompaniment to the sweet heat of the cranberry sauce.

How do you keep chicken meatballs from falling apart?

I add a lightly beaten egg to the meatball mix which acts as a binder for the other ingredients and helps to keep your meatballs from falling apart.

How do I know if my Jalapeños are still fresh?

You will know if your jalapeño peppers are bad if they show signs of mold or their skin is wrinkly. They may also start to change color and have a smell to them.