Spicy Korean Chicken Meatballs Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Servings
16 meatballs
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Calories
94 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Appetizer
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Cuisine
American
Spicy Korean Chicken Meatballs Recipe
Description
The recipe blends ground chicken with vegetables like celery, onion, jalapeno, and garlic sautéed first, then mixed with panko breadcrumbs, egg, gochujang, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes. The careful mixing avoids overworking the meat to keep the texture tender. The meatballs are formed into bite-sized balls and browned in a pan before finishing in a hot oven to ensure thorough cooking.
A spicy Korean chili glaze using pepper jelly, gochujang, rice vinegar, and soy sauce can be prepared separately to toss or dip the meatballs. The resulting flavor profile balances heat, slight sweetness, and umami. Garnishes like sesame seeds and flakes add visual appeal and texture.
The resulting meatballs serve well as appetizers or part of a meal. Baking can be done entirely in the oven as an alternative method. Internal temperature should reach 165°F for safety.
Ingredients
FOR THE CHICKEN MEATBALLS
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 celery chopped, stalk
- 1 onion chopped, small
- 1 jalapeno pepper chopped
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 pound ground chicken you can use ground beef, ground turkey or ground pork as well
- 1 cup panko or more as needed - you can sub in bread crumbs instead
- 1 egg beaten
- 2 tablespoons gochujang or more as desired
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes or more as desired, spicy
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- fresh herbs sesame seeds and spicy chili flakes for garnish, chopped
FOR THE SPICY KOREAN CHILI SAUCE
- 1/4 cup pepper jelly
- 3 tablespoons gochujang
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
FOR THE CHICKEN MEATBALLS
- Heat a large pan to medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and heat.
- Add celery, onion and peppers. Cook about 5 minutes to soften.
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute, stirring.
- Remove from heat and add contents to a mixing bowl. Cool slightly.
- Add the ground chicken, panko, egg, gochujang, ginger powder and chili flakes. Add salt and pepper to your tastes.
- Hand mix the meat mixture until everything is combined, but do not over mix. If you over mix with your hands, the meatballs can become mealy.
- Form the meat mixture into 1-inch sized meatballs. You should get about 16 meatballs, about an ounce each or so.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
- Heat the pan again to medium heat and add remaining olive oil. Brown the meatballs 3-4 minutes, rolling them a bit to brown all of the sides.
- Transfer the pan to the oven and bake the meatballs for 10 minutes, or until the chicken meatballs are cooked through.
FOR THE KOREAN GOCHUJANG GLAZE / SAUCE
- While the chicken meatballs are cooking, add the pepper jelly, gochujang, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and salt and pepper to a small pot. Heat gently, stirring, until it is well combined.
- Pour the gochujang sauce / glaze over the chicken meatballs, or you can brush it on.
- Sprinkle with chili flakes, sesame seeds and fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- Heat level is mild to medium from gochujang; increase chili flakes or use hotter peppers to adjust spiciness.
- Meatballs can be fully baked on an oiled sheet at 400°F for 20–25 minutes as an alternative cooking method.
- Ensure internal temperature of meatballs reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Using low or no-sugar pepper jelly makes this a low-carb or keto-friendly option.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 16meatballs
Amount Per Serving
Calories 94 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 94kcal | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 35mg | 12% |
| Sodium | 125mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 215mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 193IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 16mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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