Description
Deliciously easy-to-make Thai chicken meatballs perfect for game-day snacking, featuring a flavorful sweet chili lime sauce and cooked to golden perfection in an air fryer.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
Meatballs
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 green onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pound lean ground chicken
Instructions
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the sweet chili sauce, lime juice, ketchup, and soy sauce. Mix well and set aside 1/2 cup of this mixture for serving later.
- Preheat the air fryer: Heat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for cooking the meatballs.
- Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, mix together the beaten egg, panko bread crumbs, chopped green onion, minced cilantro, salt, garlic powder, and the remaining 4 tablespoons of the sweet chili sauce mixture. Add the ground chicken and mix lightly but thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Shape the meatballs: Form the mixture into 12 equal-sized balls, ensuring they are compact but not overly dense.
- Air-fry the meatballs: Arrange the meatballs in a single layer on a greased tray placed inside the air fryer basket. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until lightly browned, then turn them over and cook for an additional 4 to 5 minutes until cooked through and golden brown.
- Serve: Plate the meatballs and serve with the reserved sweet chili lime sauce. Garnish with extra fresh cilantro if desired for added freshness.
Notes
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can use a convection oven or toaster oven as an alternative cooking method.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket for even cooking and browning.
- Using lean ground chicken keeps the meatballs light and healthy.
- Adjust the spice level of the sauce by increasing or decreasing the sweet chili sauce based on your taste preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Thai
Keywords: Thai chicken meatballs, game day appetizers, air fryer recipes, sweet chili sauce, easy meatballs, party snacks, healthy chicken meatballs
