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Cheese Stuffed Apple Chicken Meatballs

Cheese stuffed apple chicken meatballs with bbq sauce are an easy, slow cooker appetizer perfect for parties or the big game.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 16 meatballs
Calories: 131 kcal
Course: Main Course , Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • ¼ small tart apple grated
  • ¼ small red onion grated
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic  2 cloves
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 large egg white
  • ½ cup Panko bread crumbs
  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 4 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup homemade apple butter or store-bought
  • ½ cup homemade barbecue sauce or store-bought prepared sauce

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place rack in the center of your oven and preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with tin foil, then set an ovenproof wire rack on top. Coat rack with nonstick spray. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, stir together apple, red onion, garlic, cinnamon, salt, pepper, egg white, and panko. Add ground chicken and lightly mix with a fork until just combined, being careful not to compact the chicken.
  3. Divide the mixture into quarters, then separate each quarter into 4 balls. You should now have a total of 16 meatballs.
  4. Press a cube of cheddar into the center of each ball, then close the chicken around the cheese to seal it.
  5. Arrange meatballs on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, until cooked through.
  6. To finish, place the cooked meatballs in the bottom of a slow cooker. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stir together the butter, apple butter, and barbecue sauce until the butter melts. Pour sauce over the top of the meatballs, toss gently to coat, and keep warm in the slow cooker.

Notes

  • STOVETOP DIRECTIONS: To finish the meatballs on the stovetop, stir together the apple butter and barbecue sauce in a large skillet. Add butter and stir until melted. Add cooked meatballs to the skillet, with a spoon, gently coat the meatballs in sauce. Place a lid on top of the skillet and reduce heat to low to keep warm.
  • STOVETOP DIRECTIONS: To finish the meatballs on the stovetop, stir together the apple butter and barbecue sauce in a large skillet. Add butter and stir until melted. Add cooked meatballs to the skillet, with a spoon, gently coat the meatballs in sauce. Place a lid on top of the skillet and reduce heat to low to keep warm.
  • MAKE-AHEAD: Unbaked meatballs can be prepped up to 1 day in advance. Place formed, unbaked meatballs in an air-tight container lined with plastic wrap, fit the container with a lid, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
  • TO STORE: Baked meatballs can be refrigerated in an air-tight container for up to two days. 
  • TO FREEZE: Baked meatballs may be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before warming.
  • TO REHEAT: Reheat the meatballs gently in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1(of 16) with sauce Calories 131kcal (7%) Carbohydrates 11g (4%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 6g (9%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 2g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 36mg (12%) Potassium 201mg (6%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 8g (16%) Vitamin A 139IU (3%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 63mg (6%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16meatballs

Amount Per Serving

Calories 131

% Daily Value*

Serving 1(of 16) with sauce
Calories 131kcal 7%
Carbohydrates 11g 4%
Protein 7g 14%
Fat 6g 9%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 36mg 12%
Potassium 201mg 4%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 8g 16%
Vitamin A 139IU 3%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 63mg 6%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.