Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs

Where are all my meatball fans?! These Cranberry Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs are going to become your new favorite! The sweet and spicy sauce that the meatballs are tossed in is lip smacking delicious! Wow, this combo is amazing and will be on repeat here for sure! Serve them up over cauliflower rice or alongside some delicious coleslaw and watch them disappear. Warning, you may want to double this one so you have some leftovers! If you love meatballs you may want to try these Buffalo Turkey Meatballs. You may also enjoy these delicious Gluten Free Chicken Meatballs in a creamy garlic, lemon, and basil sauce.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

These Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs are ready in half an hour and can be made any day of the week! Double or Triple this recipe for a fantastic game day food that everyone will devour. They are bursting with flavor! The combination of cranberry with jalapeño creates a perfect balance of sweet and spicy.

Ingredients You Will Need

Ground Chicken: Ground chicken is a lean, versatile protein that helps absorb the flavors of the seasoning and sauce easily. It is a good choice for these flavorful meatballs.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Olive oil stands out as an excellent choice for sautéing, adding richness and enhancing the natural flavors of foods with its versatility. It complements the cranberry and jalapeño mixture perfectly.

Onion: I prefer yellow onion for this recipe. It has a bolder flavor than sweet onions. However, you can certainly use sweet if you prefer.

Almond Flour: Almond flour is typically finer and made from blanched almonds. Almond meal is coarser and often includes the almond skins in its preparation. You can use either in this recipe.

Egg: Eggs are a good source of protein and vitamins. They are one of the few foods that should be classified as "superfoods." They help bind the cranberry and jalapeño meatballs, making them cohesive.

Salt: Elevates the overall flavor of any dish. Always salt in moderation in accordance with your dietary preferences.

Dried Cranberries: Dried cranberries are made by partially dehydrating fresh cranberries, which gives them a chewy texture much like raisins. They are the perfect additions to these meatballs. They add a delicious burst of sweet, tart, and tang all at once.

Jalapeño: Jalapeño peppers are a type of chili pepper. They are the most popular hot pepper in the United States and are a key ingredient in Mexican cooking. They can range from mild to very hot. I like them because you can control the level of heat to your desired taste by using less or more of them. The combination of cranberry and jalapeño makes a unique twist on traditional meatballs.

Ketchup: I prefer unsweetened ketchup that allows the true sweetness from the tomatoes to shine through. I like Noble Made unsweetened ketchup.

Coconut Aminos: A gluten-free and soy-free alternative to traditional soy sauce, coconut aminos bring a rich umami flavor. They also add a subtle saltiness and sweetness to a dish.

Instructions

Prepare the Meatballs: Combine in a bowl, chicken, almond flour, onions, egg & salt. Gently mix with your hands. Form the mixture into 16-18 meatballs with cranberry and jalapeño flavors.

Cook the Meatballs: Heat oil in a large fry pan. Cook meatballs till browning on all sides, about 5-8 minutes.

Make the Sauce: Meanwhile, in a blender combine sauce ingredients and blend till smooth.

Cook the Sauce: Add sauce to pan and toss meatballs to coat cooking about 5 minutes. If sauce is too thick, add a little more water and stir.

Enjoy!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Double this Recipe: My best tip is to double this recipe because there are never enough! I love having leftovers for lunch the next day over cauliflower rice or a salad. Cranberry Jalapeño Meatballs make for great leftovers.

Prep the Sauce Ahead: Making these meatballs for a crowd or on game day? Go ahead and make the sauce up to 3 days ahead. Store in a glass ball jar in the refrigerator. Note that you may need to add a bit of water to thin it out before cooking.

Recipe Variations

Ground Turkey or Beef: You can substitute ground turkey or beef for the ground chicken if you prefer. Note that the beef will take a little longer to cook, but it still pairs well with cranberry and jalapeño.

Chili Peppers: Want to kick these up a notch? Use chili peppers in place of Jalapeño but they will be HOT!

Storage Tips

These Cranberry Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs can be stored in the fridge for 4-5 days in a sealed airtight glass container. Additionally, they are freezer-safe for up to 6 months.

FAQs About Cranberry Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs

What can I serve with Cranberry Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs?

I love serving these flavorful meatballs with one of my coleslaw recipes. The creaminess of the slaw is the perfect accompaniment to the sweet heat of the cranberry and jalapeño sauce in the meatballs.

How do you keep chicken meatballs from falling apart?

I add a lightly beaten egg to the meatball mix which acts as a binder for the other ingredients. This helps keep your meatballs from falling apart. The combination of cranberry and jalapeño works as a great binder too.

How do I know if my Jalapeños are still fresh?

You will know if your jalapeño peppers are bad if they show signs of mold or their skin is wrinkly. They may also start to change color and have a smell to them.