Baked Teriyaki Meatballs

Who doesn’t like a good meatball? This is a quick and easy recipe for the entire family. Using ground chicken instead of beef, turkey, or pork gives this dish a unique and tasty twist. Add some brown rice and veggies, and you’re set for dinner. Let me know what you think.

Ingredients:

For Meatballs:

• 1 1/2 lbs ground chicken
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (I use Panko)
• 1/4 cup of crushed pineapples (fresh or canned)
• 1/4 cup milk (I use 2% milk)
• 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tbsp minced scallions
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

For Teriyaki Sauce:

• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice (you can use drained juice from canned pineapples)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp water
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• green onions or scallions chopped for garnish (optional)

Directions for Meatballs:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a mini-muffin pan or baking dish with cooking spray. I use Pam.
2. In a bowl, mix milk and breadcrumbs and let sit for 5 minutes.
3. In another bowl, combine the ground chicken, garlic, ginger, scallions, soy sauce, crushed pineapple, pepper and soaked breadcrumbs. Use your hands to thoroughly combine the mixture and then shape into smalls balls. Approximately 2-3 tbsp of meat per meatball.
4. Placed the meatballs into a sprayed pan and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the meatballs are fully cooked. After placing meatballs in the oven, prepare the sauce.

Directions for Teriyaki Sauce:

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the soy sauce, water, pineapple juice, brown sugar, garlic, and ground ginger. Continue to whisk while cooking until the sugar is no longer clumpy and has dissolved.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 1 tbsp of water. This will become slurry. Whisk the mix into the previously prepared sauce and simmer until thickened (3-5 minutes). This should become a little thicker like syrup and smell amazing.
3. Remove the meatballs from the oven and let rest for 2 minutes. Transfer them to a large bowl and pour prepared teriyaki sauce and toss to coat evenly. Serve over rice and top with chopped green onions or scallions (optional). Enjoy.