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What Great Grandma Ate / Recipes / Sticky Asian Chicken Meatball Recipe (Paleo, Whole30)

Sticky Asian Chicken Meatball Recipe (Paleo, Whole30)

Last Updated on August 12, 2021 by Jean Choi 10 Comments

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Grab a copy of my cookbook, Korean Paleo: 80 Bold-Flavored, Gluten- and Grain-Free Recipes!

These baked Asian chicken meatballs are tender and flavorful, covered in a fantastic sticky sauce that’s delicious and free of refined sugar. It’s a quick and easy dish that’s wonderful over rice or cauliflower rice.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Natural Delights®. All opinions are 100% mine.

Sticky asian chicken meatballs in a bowl with rice

Meatballs are always a great idea in our house. Not only are they easy and quick for a weeknight dinner, everyone in my family loves them – including my toddler! I recently putting these paleo and Whole30 chicken meatballs on rotation at house, and they are a hit every time. The amazing sticky sauce is what really pulls this dish together.

Sticky Asian Chicken Meatball Recipe

For these easy baked chicken meatballs, ground chicken is combined with onion, garlic, and a few binders to create a tender and juicy texture in the finished product. After being baked in the oven, they are coated in a blended thick sauce to become sticky Asian meatballs. The sauce is savory, slightly sweet, a bit spicy, and just packed with flavor!

ingredients in a mixing bowl to make whole30 chicken meatballs
Adding dates to make sticky Asian sauce

Ingredients in Whole30 Asian Meatballs

There are two parts to these baked Asian chicken meatballs: the meatballs and the sticky sauce. Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this dish:

For the meatballs:

  • ground chicken: You can substitute with ground turkey or even ground pork!
  • onion
  • tapioca starch
  • garlic
  • egg
  • salt and pepper

For the sauce:

  • coconut aminos
  • rice wine vinegar: Apple cider vinegar will also work in a pinch.
  • sesame oil
  • Medjool dates: These will add to the sweetness and give the sauce a wonderful sticky texture. My favorite brand of Medjool dates is Natural Delights® because of their amazing quality.
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • tapioca starch
  • crushed red pepper: You can always omit if you aren’t a fan of spicy.

How to Make Asian Chicken Meatballs

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F, and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Combine the ingredients for the meatballs, then mix until just combined. Do not over-mix. Refrigerate this mixture for 15 minutes.
  3. Generously grease your hands and roll the meat into golf-sized balls (about 20 meatballs). Place on the parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer without touching each other.
  4. Bake the meatballs for 15 minutes until cooked through.
  5. Blend together all ingredients for sauce until smooth and creamy.
  6. Transfer to a saucepan and heat over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
  7. Add the meatballs to the sauce and turn to coat and heat through.
  8. Serve warm, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.
covering meatballs in sauce for asian chicken meatball recipe

Delicious Sticky Sauce with Natural Delights® Medjool Dates

I’m a huge fan of Natural Delights Medjool dates. They are what I often use in my cooking and baking as a natural sweetener, or I enjoy them as a snack when I need something quick that’s healthy and nutritious. They give the sauce for these paleo chicken meatballs such an amazing flavor and texture, without the use of refined sugars!

I also love that the company cares about the health of their consumers, as well as the environment:

  • They are committed to sustainability in every part of their farming and production.
  • All of the plastic in their packaging is made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials.
  • The dates are 100% free of glyphosate, pesticides, and additives.
  • They are Non-GMO Project Verified.
baked asian chicken meatballs covered in sauce served over rice

Frequently Asked Questions About These Baked Chicken Meatballs Recipe

Can I use another meat besides chicken?

Yes, you can use ground turkey or ground pork. The flavor will differ slightly but you’ll still have delicious Whole30 Asian meatballs at the end!

Is the meatball mixture supposed to be sticky?

Yes, this is completely normal. This is why letting the meat chill for at least 15 minutes helps with the stickiness. Also – make sure to grease your hands well before rolling the meat into meatballs.

Can I use another starch besides tapioca starch?

You can substitute with arrowroot starch for both the meatballs and the sauce.

What do you serve with these sticky asian meatballs?

I personally love to eat these Whole30 chicken meatballs over cauliflower rice. This way, I feel like I’m having rice, but also enjoying veggies as well! If you aren’t grain free, you can serve over white rice with a side of broccoli or green beans.

a close up of whole30 chicken meatballs held up with chopsticks

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Sticky Asian Chicken Meatballs

These Asian chicken meatballs are tender and flavorful, covered in a fantastic sticky sauce that's delicious and free of refined sugar. It's a quick and easy dish that's wonderful over rice or cauliflower rice.
4.67 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian
Keyword: baked chicken meatballs recipe, paleo chicken meatballs, sticky asian meatballs, whole30 asian meatballs, whole30 chicken meatballs, whole30 meatballs
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Meat Chilling Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 302kcal

Ingredients

Chicken Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground chicken or turkey
  • 1/4 cup minced onion
  • 1/4 cup tapioca starch
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • Sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

Sticky Sauce

  • 1/3 cup coconut aminos
  • 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 2 Natural Delights Medjool Dates pits removed
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 inch ginger
  • 1 tsp tapioca starch
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F, and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Combine all ingredients for the meatballs (except green onions & sesame seeds) in a mixing bowl, and mix until just combined. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
  • Generously grease your hands and roll into golf-sized balls (about 20 meatballs). Place on the parchment lined baking sheet without touching each other.
  • Bake for 15 minutes.
  • Once the chicken meatballs are done baking, blend together all ingredients for sauce until smooth and creamy.
  • Transfer to a saucepan and heat over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
  • Add the meatballs to the sauce and turn to coat and heat through.
  • Serve warm, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.
Nutrition Facts
Sticky Asian Chicken Meatballs
Amount Per Serving (1 serving – makes 4)
Calories 302 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Cholesterol 138mg46%
Sodium 687mg30%
Potassium 729mg21%
Carbohydrates 22g7%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 22g44%
Vitamin A 153IU3%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 31mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.


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By Jean Choi | August 12, 2021

Comments

  1. A Web Revolution says

    August 16, 2021 at 1:43 pm

    Not only are they easy and quick for a weeknight dinner, everyone in my family loves them – including my toddler!

    Reply
  2. Erika says

    September 13, 2021 at 4:25 pm

    5 stars
    I made these for dinner tonight. It is indeed easy and the sauce is super-tasty! I actually used a mixture of beef and pork for the meatballs, at it worked fine.

    Reply
  3. Loren says

    September 14, 2021 at 10:34 am

    I’m so excited to try these, but am egg-free. Is there another binder I could use?

    Reply
  4. Kate says

    January 10, 2022 at 8:04 am

    5 stars
    These are so easy and delicious with a really flavorful sauce! A perfect weekday meal that comes together quickly.

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      January 10, 2022 at 11:46 am

      So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  5. Kassie says

    January 10, 2022 at 10:23 am

    Is there anything I can sub for the dates? I’m not currently on Whole30 and I don’t have any available.

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      January 10, 2022 at 11:46 am

      You can use 1-2 tbsp of maple syrup instead!

      Reply
  6. amber k says

    March 18, 2022 at 7:46 am

    Another hit! Easy and so so good.

    Reply
  7. Sharon says

    May 10, 2022 at 9:51 am

    5 stars
    The sauce recipe is fantastic!

    Reply
  8. Ran says

    June 1, 2022 at 10:41 pm

    4 stars
    Easy to make and my wife loved it! For me it was a bit too vinegary..

    Reply

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Welcome!

headshot of Jean Choi - blogger of What Great Grandma Ate I’m Jean and I’m a Nutritional Therapist (NTP) living in Southern California with my husband and 2 dog babies. On WGGA, you’ll find simple and easy gluten-, dairy-, and processed sugar-free recipes that focus on quality nutrients, and of course, never sacrifice on taste. I believe that the food you love should love you back, making you feel amazing inside and out. I apologize in advance for my inappropriate jokes and misunderstood sarcasm! More About Jean

Recipe Key

  • 3030 Min or Less
  • AIPAIP
  • EFEgg Free
  • LCLow Carb
  • NFNut Free
  • PPaleo
  • VVegan
  • W3Whole 30

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