This Oven-Baked Honey Chipotle Chicken Meatball recipe is exceptional—smoky, sweet, and just the right amount of heat.
Made with ground chicken, these meatballs are a lighter alternative to red meat without sacrificing flavor. To keep them moist, this recipe adds a bit of olive oil and uses a moderate oven temperature so the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F without drying out.
They’re best served immediately, while still juicy. Reheating is fine, but remember each reheating will cook them a bit more and can make them drier over time.
Let’s talk heat—
These meatballs combine smokiness, sweetness, and spice. If you prefer mild heat, omit the smoked paprika and use only 1/2 a chipotle pepper or skip the chipotles entirely—using just the adobo sauce still gives great flavor without as much heat.
Two chipotle peppers will give a medium-high level of heat. Chipotles are simply smoked, dried ripe jalapeños and typically measure around 2,500–8,000 Scoville units, similar to fresh jalapeños.
Adjust the spice to your audience: use two chipotles for those who love spice, one if you’re unsure, or none if you’re cooking for a crowd with unknown preferences and want to keep it mild.
How to Make These Juicy Oven-Baked Honey Chipotle Chicken Meatballs :
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, thoroughly combine all meatball ingredients. Using your hands helps ensure everything is evenly mixed.
- Form the mixture into small, golf ball-sized meatballs and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each so they don’t overcrowd.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Avoid overcooking to keep them juicy—ground chicken cooks quickly and can dry out.
- While the meatballs bake, prepare the sauce: place all sauce ingredients except the water into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- When meatballs are cooked, pour the blended sauce into a medium saucepan and gently bring it to a simmer.
- Add 1/4 cup of water to the blender to rinse out any remaining sauce and pour that into the saucepan, stirring to combine.
- Once the sauce simmers, add the meatballs, reduce heat to medium, and toss them in the sauce for about one minute so they’re well coated.
- Turn off the heat and serve immediately.
Juicy Oven-Baked Honey Chipotle Chicken Meatballs – Tips & Tricks
- Don’t overcook. Ground chicken is lean and will dry out if baked too long. Aim for an internal temperature of 165°F and remove from the oven promptly.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently to avoid additional drying.
A few other easy appetizer recipes you’ll love—
5-Ingredient Spicy Mango Serrano Salsa
Chunky Spicy Guacamole
Salsa Verde and Chips
Simple Homemade Meatballs
Caprese Salad with Homemade Balsamic Glaze
Margherita Pizza Bites
Hot Honey Prosciutto Pizza Bites
Oven-Baked Lemon Pepper Wings
If you make these Juicy Oven-Baked Honey Chipotle Chicken Meatballs, tag me on Instagram—seeing your photos makes my day!
Juicy Oven-Baked Honey Chipotle Chicken Meatballs
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Ingredients
Juicy Chicken Meatballs
- 1 lb ground chicken
- ½ c breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 garlic clove, microplaned or finely minced
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp crushed Mexican oregano
- ¼ c olive oil
- 1 tsp coconut sugar
- 3/4 tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Sweet and Spicy Honey Chipotle Sauce
- ¼ c honey
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- ¼ c adobo sauce
- ¼ tsp liquid smoke
- 2 garlic cloves, microplaned or finely minced
- 1 tsp white or apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ c water
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl, mixing thoroughly.
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Shape into small, golf ball-sized meatballs and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet without overcrowding.
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Bake 15–20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Avoid overcooking to keep them juicy.
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Make the sauce by blending all sauce ingredients except the water until smooth.
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Transfer the blended sauce to a saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer.
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Rinse the blender with 1/4 cup water and add that to the saucepan, stirring to combine.
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Once simmering, add the meatballs, lower heat to medium, and toss in the sauce for about one minute.
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Turn off the heat and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
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