This Honey Barbeque Chicken Meatballs recipe is a game-changer for busy weeknights! Tender, juicy ground chicken meatballs are baked to perfection, then smothered in a sweet and tangy homemade honey barbeque sauce that caramelizes beautifully around each bite. Ready in just 35 minutes, these meatballs strike the perfect balance between comfort food and quick cooking, making them ideal for both family dinners and party appetizers.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Satisfying: From prep to plate in just 35 minutes – perfect for those evenings when you want something homemade but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
Family-Friendly: The sweet and tangy flavors appeal to everyone, including picky eaters who might normally turn their noses up at healthier ground chicken.
Versatile: These meatballs work wonderfully as an appetizer, main dish, or even in sandwiches. Their versatility makes meal planning simple and exciting.
Make-Ahead Marvel: Prepare these meatballs in advance and reheat when needed – they actually get more flavorful as they sit!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Meatballs:

Ground chicken: Creates a lighter meatball with less fat than beef while still delivering great texture and flavor.
Breadcrumbs: Essential for binding the meatballs together and keeping them tender rather than dense.
Green onions: Adds a mild onion flavor and pretty flecks of color throughout the meatballs.
Eggs: Work as a binder to hold everything together during cooking.
Fresh parsley: Brings brightness and a pop of fresh herb flavor that balances the richness.
Garlic: Provides that essential savory baseline note that makes everything taste better.
Salt and pepper: The most basic but crucial seasonings to enhance all the other flavors.

For the Barbeque Sauce:

Tomato sauce: Forms the base of the BBQ sauce with its rich, savory flavor.
Honey: Provides natural sweetness and helps create that sticky, glossy coating on the meatballs.
Worcestershire sauce: Adds complex umami depth and slight tanginess.
Red wine vinegar: Provides acid to balance the sweetness and cut through the richness.
Garlic powder: Gives an even distribution of garlic flavor throughout the sauce.
Salt and pepper: Enhances and balances all the flavors in the sauce.

Variations

Want to customize these meatballs? Here are some fantastic variations to try:

Spicy Kick: Add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the meatball mixture and a tablespoon of hot sauce to the BBQ sauce.
Asian-Inspired: Replace the BBQ sauce with a mixture of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, and a touch of five-spice powder.
Mediterranean Style: Add feta cheese crumbles and dried oregano to the meatball mixture, and serve with tzatziki instead of BBQ sauce.
Smoky Version: Add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika to the meatball mixture and replace half the tomato sauce with chipotle in adobo for a deeper, smokier flavor.

How to Make Honey Barbeque Chicken Meatballs

Step 1: Prepare for Baking

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and give it a good spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Meatballs

In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, sliced green onions, beaten eggs, minced parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Remember, light hands make tender meatballs – overmixing leads to tough results!

Step 3: Form and Bake

Using your hands, roll the mixture into 12-14 golf ball-sized meatballs and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each. Bake for 15 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through and slightly golden.

Step 4: Prepare the Sauce

While the meatballs are baking, whisk together tomato sauce, honey, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl until well combined. Transfer this mixture to a large saucepot.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce

Heat the sauce over medium-high heat for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll notice the sauce begin to thicken and develop a glossy appearance – that’s the honey working its magic!

Step 6: Combine and Simmer

Reduce the heat to low. Add the baked meatballs to the sauce and gently stir to coat each one completely. Let everything simmer together for about 5 minutes, occasionally stirring to ensure even coating and to allow the flavors to meld.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Cold Hands, Perfect Meatballs: Run your hands under cold water before forming the meatballs – this prevents the mixture from sticking to your hands.
Uniform Size Matters: Use a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon to measure out equal portions for evenly-sized meatballs that will cook at the same rate.
Check for Doneness: The internal temperature of chicken meatballs should reach 165°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, cut one open – it should be completely opaque with no pink showing.
Sauce Consistency: If your sauce becomes too thick, add a tablespoon of water or chicken broth to thin it slightly. If it’s too thin, let it simmer a bit longer.
Rest Before Serving: Let the meatballs rest in the sauce for a few minutes before serving – they’ll absorb more flavor and be juicier.

How to Serve

These versatile meatballs can be enjoyed in many ways:

As an Appetizer:

Serve with toothpicks and extra sauce on the side for dipping. Sprinkle with additional sliced green onions for a pop of color and freshness.

As a Main Dish:

Serve over fluffy white rice or mashed potatoes with the sauce spooned generously on top.
Pair with roasted vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts for a complete meal.
Serve alongside a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the rich flavors.

In Sandwiches:

Stuff these meatballs into toasted sub rolls with melted provolone cheese for an incredible meatball sub variation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These meatballs actually improve in flavor overnight! Store them in the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce will penetrate deeper into the meatballs, making them even more flavorful.

Freezing

These meatballs freeze beautifully! Let them cool completely, then place them (with sauce) in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. I recommend freezing them in portion-sized containers for easy reheating.

Reheating

For best results, thaw frozen meatballs overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in a covered saucepan over medium-low heat until warmed through, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works perfectly as a substitute for chicken in this recipe. The cooking time remains the same, and you’ll still get delicious, tender meatballs. Turkey has a slightly different flavor profile but pairs wonderfully with the honey BBQ sauce.

Why are my meatballs falling apart?
Meatballs typically fall apart when there isn’t enough binding agent. Make sure you’re using the full amount of eggs and breadcrumbs called for in the recipe. Also, avoid overmixing the meat mixture, which can break down the proteins and lead to crumbly meatballs. Finally, handle the meatballs gently when adding them to the sauce.

Can I make the sauce sweeter or spicier?
Definitely! For a sweeter sauce, add an extra tablespoon of honey. For more heat, add a teaspoon of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper. The beauty of homemade BBQ sauce is that you can adjust it to your taste preferences. Just taste as you go and add small amounts of additional ingredients until it’s perfect for you.

Can I make these meatballs in a slow cooker?
Yes! Brown the meatballs in the oven for just 10 minutes instead of the full 15, then transfer them to a slow cooker. Add the sauce ingredients directly to the slow cooker (no need to pre-simmer), stir gently to combine, and cook on low for 2-3 hours. This method is perfect for parties as it keeps the meatballs warm and allows the flavors to develop even more deeply.

Final Thoughts

These Honey Barbeque Chicken Meatballs bring together simplicity and flavor in one irresistible package. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer at your next gathering or as a quick weeknight dinner, they’re sure to become a regular in your recipe rotation. The combination of tender chicken, fresh herbs, and that sticky-sweet homemade BBQ sauce creates something truly special that feels indulgent without hours of work. Give them a try tonight – your taste buds (and your schedule) will thank you!

Honey Barbeque Chicken Meatballs Recipe