Air Fryer Orange Chicken Meatballs
User Reviews
5.0
36 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
5 mins
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Total Time
17 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
338 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Appetizer
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Cuisine
American
Air Fryer Orange Chicken Meatballs
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These homemade orange chicken meatballs come together in less than 20 minutes. This is an easy and healthier twist to the classic Chinese takeout. The seasoned ground chicken is air fried to perfection and then drenched in a zesty sweet and sour orange glaze. It's a kid friendly recipe that the whole family will love.
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Ingredients
For the Chicken Meatballs
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- Cooking oil spray
For the Orange Sauce
- 3 medium oranges, zested and juiced (plus water to equal 1 cup of liquid)
- ¼ cup Honey or sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon grated ginger
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (plus 2 tablespoons water)
- Pinch of red chili flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Gather and prepare the ingredients by zesting and juicing 3 oranges, mincing the garlic, and grating the ginger.
- Make the orange sauce. In a saucepan or small pot, add 1 cup of orange juice plus water, honey (or sugar), vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, salt, ground pepper, and red chili flakes. Heat for 3 minutes.
- Thicken the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to form a paste. Add to the orange sauce and whisk together. Continue to cook for 5 minutes, until the mixture begins to thicken. Once the sauce is thickened, remove from the heat and add orange zest.
- Season the ground chicken. In a large mixing bowl, mix together ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, ginger, salt, ground pepper, and orange zest. Mix until well incorporated but don't overmix or the chicken will become dense.
- Form the meatballs. Using a medium cookie scoop or a spoon, scoop and roll the mixture into 2-tablespoon balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet/air fryer tray. (I recommend greasing your hands with a bit of olive oil to prevent the mixture from sticking.)
- Air fry. Spray cooking oil on top of the meatballs. Air fry for about 12 minutes or until the meatballs are browned and cooked through (internal temperature 155-160°F). [Chicken tends to dry out pretty quickly so keep a close eye on it. The meatballs will continue to cook off the heat.]
- Serve. Toss the chicken meatballs with the sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Equipments used:
Notes
- To make this healthy with minimal effort, use whole wheat panko breadcrumbs.
- To make this healthy with minimal effort, use whole wheat panko breadcrumbs.
- If you don't mind getting your hands dirty, use your hands to gently mix the meatball ingredients.
- If you don't mind getting your hands dirty, use your hands to gently mix the meatball ingredients.
- Do not press down on the meat. To keep the meatballs moist and not too dense, you don't want to work the meat too much.
- Do not press down on the meat. To keep the meatballs moist and not too dense, you don't want to work the meat too much.
- Aim for uniform-sized meatballs to ensure even cooking. A cookie scoop or hands lightly coated with oil can help shape them consistently.
- Aim for uniform-sized meatballs to ensure even cooking. A cookie scoop or hands lightly coated with oil can help shape them consistently.
- For the sauce, use orange juice or a mixture of orange juice and water. You’ll need 1 cup of liquid.
- For the sauce, use orange juice or a mixture of orange juice and water. You’ll need 1 cup of liquid.
- Use a kitchen thermometer to check for doneness. The internal temperature should read 155-160°F.
- Use a kitchen thermometer to check for doneness. The internal temperature should read 155-160°F.
- Remember not to overcrowd the air fryer. Leave enough space in between for the air to circulate.
- Remember not to overcrowd the air fryer. Leave enough space in between for the air to circulate.
- To hide some veggies that will also add moisture, add some shredded zucchini, spinach, or carrots in there. The kids will never know!
- To hide some veggies that will also add moisture, add some shredded zucchini, spinach, or carrots in there. The kids will never know!
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
338kcal
(17%)
Carbohydrates
38g
(13%)
Protein
24g
(48%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
Trans Fat
0.1g
Cholesterol
144mg
(48%)
Sodium
1372mg
(57%)
Potassium
844mg
(24%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
27g
(54%)
Vitamin A
295IU
(6%)
Vitamin C
54mg
(60%)
Calcium
75mg
(8%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 338 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 338kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 38g | 13% |
| Protein | 24g | 48% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 144mg | 48% |
| Sodium | 1372mg | 57% |
| Potassium | 844mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 27g | 54% |
| Vitamin A | 295IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 54mg | 60% |
| Calcium | 75mg | 8% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
36 reviews
Excellent
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