Chicken Meatballs With Creamy Honey & Mustard Sauce Recipe

Juicy Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Honey & Mustard Sauce Recipe

Crafting delectable chicken meatballs with a silky honey and mustard sauce can turn an ordinary meal into something spectacular.

Tender meat mingles with aromatic herbs, creating a mouthwatering blend of flavors.

Homemade comfort emerges from simple ingredients whisked together with care.

Each bite promises a perfect balance between savory protein and sweet-tangy sauce.

Quick to prepare and impossible to resist, these meatballs bring excitement to your dinner table.

Families and friends will eagerly gather around, anticipating the delightful dish you’ve created.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and dive into this irresistible culinary adventure that promises to become a new favorite.

What Makes Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken Meatballs So Good

  • Craft Gourmet Comfort: Elevate your home cooking with restaurant-quality chicken meatballs that deliver professional-level flavor without complex techniques.
  • Versatile Meal Solution: Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, meal prep, or impressing guests with a dish that transitions seamlessly from casual to elegant settings.
  • Flavor Explosion Technique: Combine sweet honey and tangy mustard in a creamy sauce that transforms simple chicken meatballs into a memorable culinary experience with balanced, rich taste profiles.
  • Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adapt the recipe by adjusting seasonings or serving with different sides, making it ideal for families with varying taste preferences and dietary needs.

What You’ll Need for Chicken Meatballs with Honey Mustard

Protein Base:
  • Ground Chicken: Lean protein that forms the core of the meatballs and provides a light, tender texture.
Binding Ingredients:
  • Breadcrumbs, Egg: Help hold the meatballs together and create a cohesive mixture.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Parsley, Garlic: Add fresh herbal notes and aromatic depth to the chicken meatballs.
  • Salt, Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that bring out the natural flavors of the meat.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Honey, Dijon Mustard: Create a sweet and tangy base for the creamy sauce.
  • Heavy Cream, Butter: Provide richness and smooth, velvety consistency to the sauce.
  • Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and balances the richness of the cream.
  • Salt, Pepper: Seasonings to enhance the sauce's overall flavor profile.
Garnish:
  • Chives, Parsley: Fresh herbs that add color, visual appeal, and a burst of fresh flavor to the finished dish.
Cooking Medium:
  • Olive Oil: Used for searing the meatballs and creating a golden-brown exterior.

How to Make Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken Meatballs

Step 1: Blend Meatball Mixture

Toss ground chicken into a spacious mixing bowl. Add:
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Egg
  • Parsley
  • Minced garlic
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Gently mix ingredients until everything connects smoothly without overworking the meat.

Step 2: Shape Perfect Meatballs

Roll the mixture into round balls, each about golf ball size. Keep consistent sizing to ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Sizzle Golden Exterior

Pour olive oil into a large skillet, heating over medium-high temperature. Wait until oil shimmers and reaches optimal searing temperature.

Step 4: Cook Meatballs

Carefully place meatballs into hot skillet. Let each side develop a gorgeous golden-brown crust. Rotate periodically during 8-10 minute cooking process.

Step 5: Whip Creamy Sauce

In a separate saucepan, combine:
  • Honey
  • Dijon mustard
  • Heavy cream
  • Butter
  • Lemon juice
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Whisk ingredients until well integrated.

Step 6: Simmer Sauce

Cook sauce over low heat, stirring constantly. Watch sauce transform into a silky, glossy texture over 3-4 minutes.

Step 7: Combine Meatballs and Sauce

Verify meatballs reach 165°F internal temperature. Transfer meatballs into sauce, gently coating each piece.

Step 8: Plate and Garnish

Arrange meatballs on serving plate. Drizzle remaining sauce generously. Sprinkle chopped chives on top for extra flavor and visual appeal.

Tips for Juicy Chicken Meatballs Every Time

  • Seal Meatball Moisture: Mix ingredients gently to prevent overworking the ground chicken, which can make meatballs tough and dense.
  • Maintain Consistent Size: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform meatballs that cook evenly and look professionally prepared.
  • Control Skillet Temperature: Watch oil heat carefully to prevent burning; medium-high heat ensures golden-brown exterior without scorching meat.
  • Perfect Sauce Consistency: Whisk sauce ingredients continuously while simmering to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, glossy texture.
  • Ensure Food Safety: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internally, guaranteeing thorough cooking and eliminating harmful bacteria.

Style Ideas for Chicken Meatballs with a Twist

  • Mediterranean Herb Chicken Meatballs: Replace parsley with a blend of fresh oregano, thyme, and rosemary for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
  • Spicy Southwest Chicken Meatballs: Mix in ground cumin, chili powder, and diced jalapeños to create a zesty, southwestern-style version with a kick.
  • Asian-Inspired Glazed Meatballs: Swap honey mustard sauce with a soy-ginger glaze made from soy sauce, grated ginger, brown sugar, and sesame oil.
  • Greek Feta Chicken Meatballs: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese into the meatball mixture and serve with a tangy tzatziki sauce instead of honey mustard.

What to Serve with Chicken Meatballs and Sauce

  • Pair Zesty White Wine: Select a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the tangy honey-mustard sauce, cutting through the richness while enhancing the meatballs' delicate flavor profile.
  • Serve With Roasted Vegetable Medley: Prepare a colorful side of roasted brussels sprouts, carrots, and parsnips, which will provide a caramelized texture that matches the meatballs' golden-brown exterior and absorbs the creamy sauce beautifully.
  • Create Herbed Quinoa Base: Cook quinoa with fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary, creating a light, protein-rich foundation that soaks up the sauce and provides a nutritious counterpoint to the savory chicken meatballs.

Store Chicken Meatballs the Right Way

  • Store cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring they remain fresh and flavorful.
  • Place cooled meatballs in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, separating layers with parchment paper, and freeze for up to 2 months.
  • Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of sauce to prevent drying out, stirring occasionally for even heating.
  • Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in a skillet or microwave, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken Meatballs FAQs

  • Are chicken meatballs healthier than beef meatballs?

Chicken meatballs have lower fat content and fewer calories compared to traditional beef meatballs, making them a leaner protein option for health-conscious eaters.

  • Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?

Yes, ground turkey is an excellent substitute with similar texture and protein profile, allowing for easy recipe adaptation.

  • How do I know the meatballs are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature reaches 165°F, which ensures safe consumption and prevents undercooking.

  • What makes the honey mustard sauce creamy?

Heavy cream combined with butter creates a rich, smooth texture while honey and dijon mustard provide a balanced sweet and tangy flavor profile.

Print
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Chicken Meatballs With Creamy Honey & Mustard Sauce Recipe

Chicken Meatballs With Creamy Honey & Mustard Sauce Recipe


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4.8 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Succulent chicken meatballs dance in a creamy honey and mustard sauce, bringing Mediterranean comfort to dinner tables. Delicate spices and smooth sauce promise a delightful culinary journey that will satisfy your craving for something extraordinary.


Ingredients

Scale

Chicken:

  • 1.5 lbs ground chicken
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Sauce:

  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper

Cooking/Garnish:

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
  • Optional: extra parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl, gently blending ingredients until evenly incorporated.
  2. Shape the mixture into uniform meatballs, approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, reaching 375°F, which will help achieve a golden-brown exterior.
  4. Carefully place meatballs into the hot skillet, allowing each side to develop a rich, caramelized crust, rotating periodically for approximately 8-10 minutes.
  5. While meatballs cook, prepare the sauce by whisking honey, dijon mustard, heavy cream, butter, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a separate saucepan.
  6. Simmer the sauce over low heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and becomes glossy.
  7. Once meatballs are fully cooked with an internal temperature of 165°F, transfer them to the sauce, gently coating each piece.
  8. Plate the meatballs, drizzling remaining sauce over the top and garnishing with freshly chopped chives.
  9. Optionally, sprinkle additional parsley for enhanced visual appeal and fresh herbaceous flavor.

Notes

  • Ensure ground chicken is cold when mixing to help maintain moisture and prevent dense meatballs.
  • Use a light touch when combining ingredients to avoid overworking the meat, which can create tough meatballs.
  • Test one meatball first to check seasoning and adjust salt and pepper in the mixture if needed.
  • For gluten-free option, replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to maintain texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 570
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 29 g
  • Cholesterol: 130 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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