Thai Chicken Meatballs are a versatile recipe perfect for an appetizer with dipping sauces, on rice (or zucchini noodle) pasta, in soups and sandwiches. Loaded with familiar Thai flavors of cilantro, basil, ginger, garlic, lemongrass and more, the recipe is simple and easy to make. These made with a quick trick for homemade gluten-free breadcrumbs too!
This post is sponsored as part of Boulder Locavore’s ongoing partnership with Udi’s Gluten Free. All opinions are my own.
At this time of year having versatile recipes that can be used in multiple ways is always welcome in my kitchen. Thai Chicken Meatballs are a great example of that. This simple recipe is packed with familiar Thai food flavors and are perfect for many dishes.
Thai Chicken Meatballs are great to serve as cocktail meatballs with a wonderful tangy sweet-spicy dipping sauce (I’ll be sharing my favorite). They can be added to your favorite pasta or zucchini noodles (‘zoodles’). Drop them in a delicious homemade chicken soup recipe or let them star in sandwiches (as in the case of these Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatball Mini Sandwiches) on a dinner roll, hot dog bun or regular bread. The sky is the limit!
Meatballs always need a binding agent which is usually breadcrumbs. This can be tricky for those gluten-free but it’s super easy to make homemade breadcrumbs with either gluten-free or gluten bread. For these meatballs I used one of my favorite gluten-free breads, Udi’s Gluten Free White Sandwich Bread. It has a flavor that works wonderfully in all recipes.
How To Make Homemade Breadcrumbs Fast!
There are multiple ways to make homemade bread crumbs. Stale bread can be used and processed through a mini chopper or food processor to the desired size breadcrumb. We generally gobble up all our Udi’s Gluten Free bread (sometimes I save the heels in the freezer and then make crumbs from them later) so my usual method includes toasting fresh bread, processing it in to crumbs then flash broiling it to ensure it’s fully toasted and dry. Here are the details of how to make homemade breadcrumbs. For these meatballs I processed the crumbs twice to ensure they were very fine as shown in the photo above.
A Quick Recipe Prep Trick
As I was making this recipe it struck me that I’m a lazy food prepper. I have had a mini chopper for years (in fact I’m on my second one) and I use it for everything I can. If you aren’t familiar with them they are like a mini food processor and are great for smaller tasks. Anything I need to chop or dice I put in the mini chopper versus doing it by hand; and again it’s perfect for making these breadcrumbs. For a recipe like Thai Chicken Meatballs, with all ingredients being combined in the end, there is no reason to even clean it out between ingredients. It saves a huge amount of time!
These Thai Chicken Meatballs are light but full of flavor. Cilantro, basil, lemongrass, lime, Thai curry, and more. They are not spicy on their own making a slightly spicy dipping sauce a perfect partner when serving them as an appetizer.
How to Make Thai Chicken Meatballs:
Thai Chicken Meatballs with dipping sauce
Thai Chicken Meatballs are great for an party appetizer, as an addition to rice noodle pasta or in sandwiches. The prep time may be reduced by using a mini chopper which doesn't need to be rinsed between ingredients since they will all be mixed together in the meatballs! Maybe be made gluten-free as directed or with gluten bread crumbs depending on your needs.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground Chicken
- 1 cup Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs made with Udi's Gluten-Free White Sandwich Bread (4-5 slices)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh Cilantro
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh Basil
- 4 Scallions diced (white and green portions)
- 2 Garlic Cloves diced
- 2 inch piece fresh Ginger Root peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon Lemongrass Powder
- 2 tablespoons Lime Juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 tablespoon Fish Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Thai Red Curry Paste
Suggested Dipping Sauces:
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Fit a large (17 inch by 13-inch) rimmed baking sheet with foil (dull side up) and a cooling rack sprayed with non-stick spray. Note: recipe may be adapted to use a smaller baking sheet/rack combination.
In a large bowl combine all ingredients. Work together with hands until all ingredients are incorporated (be sure to wash hands afterwards). Scoop heaping tablespoon and roll between the palms of your hands into balls. Place on the prepared rack leaving space between all the meatballs.
Cook for 20-25 minutes, until the internal temperature of the meatballs registers 165 degrees with an instant read thermometer. Allow to rest for a few minutes before serving.
sam says
Nice ! i love chicken and your thai chicken meatballs looks so good and delicious i can’t wait make this, thanks for sharing & keep shared your new amazing recipe with ideas….!
robin rue says
Those meatballs sound SO good. We are having a party in a few weeks and these would make an awesome addition to the menu!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestylest says
You cannot beat meatballs with a stick! They’re perfect for family dinners or for appetizers. These looks super tasty. I can’t wait to make them.
Colleen Lanin says
Oh, yum! I can’t wait to make these. Thai food is one of my favorite ethnic types of food, and of course, meatballs are always great. So good!
Jeni Hawkins says
Looks mouth watering! And I love that it’s done in 37 minutes, too! What a delicious and time saving recipe!
Jeanette says
I would love to try this. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! I only have two meatball recipes and I needed to add to that list. I am totally going to make these.
Ma says
Thai chicken meatballs look super delicious. I will have to give this recipe a try for dinner one night. I love that you shared this, seems easy enough to whip up!
Michelle Waller says
I just love meatballs, but never thought about chicken or even thai. These look perfect for the upcoming football season or even date night.
Our Family World says
Thank you for sharing the recipe. I will make these and keep some in stock in the freezer. That would really help me make a delicious easy to make meal during weekdays.
Melissa Chapman says
Your gluten free meatballs and recipes are great for people with allergies. I will keep this one in mind for a special occasion or party!
Randi says
Those sound delicious … and they’re such a great twist on regular meatballs!
Pam Wattenbarger says
These meatballs sound so good! I have made gluten free meatballs a couple of times, and I always use homemade gluten free breadcrumbs. It’s so easy to toast some bread and make them!
Toni Dash says
Isn’t it so easy? When I was a gluten-eater, over 10 years ago now, I never would have thought to make my own breadcrumbs. Who knew how simple they are to make.
Liz Mays says
I’d definitely be interested in trying these with the dipping sauce. It would be fun to incorporate them into some other recipes too.
Rosey says
You cannot go wrong with meatballs and these sound perfect for the fam. I know my boys would be first in line to taste test!
Jenn says
These are making my mouth water! I love that I can make these for my gluten free freinds
Toni Dash says
You’d never know the crumbs are gluten-free by the flavor so everyone can enjoy them!!
Claudia Krusch says
These meatballs look so delicious and easy to make. I will have to get the ingredients I need to make some this week. I am sure they will be a big hit.
David says
Cathi and I enjoy eating Udi’s gluten free products. Thanks for the easy breadcrumb recipe. Can see from the photos how great the meatballs turned out. And please pass the dipping sauce!
Vanessa Delia says
Those look delicious. I love Udi’s bread! They’re one of my favorites!
travel blogger says
I need to get a mini chopper! What a great tip! These look really delicious. I am always look for new dinner recipes, and I haven’t made meatballs in forever. These would be great for dinner this week.
Kristi says
These sound delicious and perfect timing as I feel like we are eating the same things each week. Sort of what happens when school starts until we can figure out a system.
Kelly Hutchinson says
I could eat meatballs all day long. Make them Asian and I am in heaven!
Angela Milnes says
I’ve never thought about making my own bread crumbs before. What a great idea especially to make these delicious meatballs!
Toni Dash says
It’s so easy but somehow until you make them you never think to (that was me at least)!
Wendy Polisi says
I was trying to think of an appetizer for an upcoming party. These actually sound perfect!
Amy Desrosiers says
These meatballs look and sound amazing!! I totally need to make some with Udis. We are eating much cleaner so these are perfect.
Theresa says
I like the idea of using your own homemade breadcrumbs. I have never attempted to make my own, but it sounds so easy, I wonder why I haven’t done it before. The meatballs look delish!
krystal says
MMMM yum! I have never made chicken meatballs before but you have inspired me. A fun party appetizer.
Kristi says
YUM! My family would love these!!!
Crystal says
Those sound ahh-mazing! My daughter is my meatball master. She’s always a great helper in the kitchen, but especially when it’s making meatballs. She’s going to love making these with DIY breadcrumbs for a few extra minutes in the kitchen.
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place says
My boys love meatballs and it would be nice to make this for them. I can’t believe you found a way to make it gluten free! Thanks for the recipe!
Hali says
Sounds delicious, and your photos are great too! Never tried making bread crumbs before, we just skip the bread crumbs but love this.
Carol Cassara says
Thai meatballs? That sounds amazing, I already love Thai flavors so this is something that I’d love to try. It’s awesome that you got a gluten free bread for the recipe too.
reesa says
Oh these look like a great game day appetizer! I need to give this one a try, your recipes are always a hit!
Kiwi says
This sounds so delicious. I would like to try these on a bun and the dipping sauce.
Tara says
These meatballs look scrumptious. I will have to make your sweet-spicy dipping sauce to go with them.
Stacie says
These would be devoured in no time at my house. I have to get a mini chopper. I’m all about saving time.
amanda goodenough says
I love meatballs. these look like a great option and I love the Buddha stickers