I love using what I have to whip up something tasty, and being on Whole30 this month is really forcing me to push the envelope.
With all the college bowl games on New Year's weekend I wanted to make something fun, so I used an old favorite as inspiration: The Hot Wing.
I was stumped at first because I always add honey or some other sweetener to my sauce but this ended up great. And the almond butter really helped to make an indulgent texture that stuck to the meatballs.
Even The Husband approved!
Here's what I did...
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken breast (ground turkey would work, too!)
- â…” cup ground flax
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
Combine the chicken and flax with your hands. It will be very sticky. I always find ground chicken annoyingly sticky but it was on sales so I went with it.
In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high, heat the oil. Form the chicken mixture into small balls (around 15) and add them to the skillet.
Turn the meatballs to seal on 2-3 sides as they brown. (I wish I took a pic of this but my hands were just too messy! )
Once the meatballs are set, lower the temperature to medium-low and cover so they begin to cook through.
While the meatballs are cooking, whisk together the almond butter, vinegar, sesame oil, tomato paste, and red pepper flakes. It will be on the thick side. A splash or two of water is fine to add to loosen it up.
Pour the sauce over the meatballs and roll around to coat. You can continue to cook for a minute or two but the sauce will thicken even more.
Pour the meatballs into a bowl and top with additional red pepper flakes to taste.
I had to stop myself from eating the whole bowl. I really enjoyed these!
📖 Recipe
Whole30 Chicken Meatballs with Spicy 'Peanut' Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken breast ground turkey would work, too!
- â…” cup ground flax
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine the chicken and flax with your hands. It will be very sticky. I always find ground chicken annoyingly sticky but it was on sales so I went with it.1 lb ground chicken breast, â…” cup ground flax
- In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high, heat the oil. Form the chicken mixture into small balls (around 15) and add them to the skillet.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Turn the meatballs to seal on 2-3 sides as they brown. (I wish I took a pic of this but my hands were just too messy! )
- Once the meatballs are set, lower the temperature to medium-low and cover so they begin to cook through.
- While the meatballs are cooking, whisk together the almond butter, vinegar, sesame oil, tomato paste, and red pepper flakes. It will be on the thick side. A splash or two of water is fine to add to loosen it up.2 tablespoon almond butter, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 2 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Pour the sauce over the meatballs and roll around to coat. You can continue to cook for a minute or two but the sauce will thicken even more.
- Pour the meatballs into a bowl and top with additional red pepper flakes to taste.
julie
I really enjoyed this sauce and made a second batch of sauce to use on zoodles. I also crushed almonds and put them over the zoodles. I may have cooked my meatballs to long because once I got to the middle where there was no sauce it was too bland and dry. I think ill try again with some more spice inside the meatball mixture any ideas?
Peggy
These chicken meatballs sound very good. I'm not a peanut sauce fan, but using the almond butter sounds like it'd be a good alternative. Did you have these by themselves or did you add a vegetable and/or a carb.? I'm thinking of using this as a lunch/dinner alternative so I'd have to add more bulk to the meal. I enjoy your recipes and your blog. Happy New Year.
roni
I ate them alone as a football snack but you could totally add some veggies on the side or even top a bed of lettuce or spinach with them!
Sarah K
Flax is an interesting addition to meatballs - I'm guessing it serves as the binder instead of breadcrumbs?
roni
Yes and moisture because ground chicken is notoriously dry.
Cindy
Just used my new SmartPoints calculator for the new new WW and it's 11 points for anyone who may be curious. 🙂 It's based on calories, sugar, saturated fat, and protein, instead of fat, carbs, fiber, and protein.
roni
Thanks. I'm not sure I'll be updating the site with the new points but I will give all the nutritional values.