Prepare to delight your taste buds with these incredibly light, tender, and impossibly juicy bacon chicken meatballs, perfectly complemented by a creamy, tangy dipping sauce. This recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a true culinary revelation, guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering or a delightful treat for your family.

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Beyond Basic: The Secret to Irresistibly Juicy Bacon Chicken Meatballs

Forget everything you thought you knew about chicken meatballs. These aren’t your ordinary, run-of-the-mill bites. Oh no, these succulent spheres are generously loaded with the rich, smoky flavor of bacon, transforming a simple dish into an extraordinary one. Every single bite delivers a burst of savory goodness, making them truly addictive.

Why Bacon is the Game-Changer in Chicken Meatballs

The addition of bacon to chicken meatballs serves a dual purpose that elevates this recipe far beyond the standard. Firstly, it infuses the meatballs with an unparalleled depth of smoky, savory flavor. The rendered bacon fat also acts as a natural tenderizer and moisture keeper. Say goodbye to dry, bland, or cardboard-like chicken meatballs. With bacon, you unlock a world of uber-juicy, tender, and intensely flavorful bites that will have everyone reaching for more.

But the magic doesn’t stop there. To ensure these meatballs achieve a truly light and delicate texture, we incorporate Panko, the renowned Japanese breadcrumbs. Panko creates an airy, crispy texture that regular breadcrumbs simply can’t match, preventing the meatballs from becoming dense. This thoughtful combination of bacon for moisture and flavor, and Panko for lightness, results in a perfectly balanced meatball that is tender on the inside with a delightful slight crispness from its exterior.

And here’s the best part: creating these flavor-packed morsels is surprisingly simple. With just a few straightforward steps, you’ll have these delicious bacon chicken meatballs ready to be devoured. Less time in the kitchen means more time enjoying the company of friends and family, or simply savoring your culinary creation!

Mastering the Art of Bacon Chicken Meatballs: A Simple Guide

Crafting these delectable bacon chicken meatballs is an effortless process, perfect for cooks of all skill levels. Here’s how you bring these irresistible bites to life:

Step-by-Step Instructions:

**Prepare the Bacon:** Begin by placing your bacon strips in a food processor. Pulse them until they are finely chopped. This ensures the bacon is evenly distributed throughout the mixture, delivering that signature smoky flavor in every bite.
**Combine Ingredients:** Next, add all the remaining meatball ingredients to the food processor. Pulse again until everything is thoroughly combined into a cohesive mixture. Be careful not to over-process; a well-mixed but not overly smooth texture is ideal.
**Form the Meatballs:** Once your mixture is ready, it’s time to form the meatballs. For uniform, perfectly bite-sized meatballs, I highly recommend using a medium cookie scoop. This handy tool not only ensures consistency in size, which is crucial for even cooking, but also significantly speeds up the shaping process. Aim for about 1-inch meatballs.
**Bake to Perfection:** Arrange your beautifully formed meatballs on prepared baking sheets and bake until they are golden brown and fully cooked through.

See how effortlessly these savory delights come together? It’s a testament to simple ingredients yielding extraordinary flavors!

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Meatballs

Can I make chicken meatballs without ground chicken?

Absolutely! This is a fantastic pro tip for those who prefer to use whole chicken cuts or can’t find ground chicken. Simply place boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for even more flavor) into your food processor along with the bacon. Pulse until the chicken is finely chopped and well combined with the bacon. This method allows you to control the quality and cut of your chicken, resulting in incredibly fresh and flavorful meatballs.

How to serve these delectable chicken meatballs?

While these bacon chicken meatballs are spectacular on their own, serving them with our creamy, zingy sour cream sauce takes them to another level. This sauce is not intensely spicy, but the hint of Sriracha provides a delightful kick, and the creamy horseradish is an absolute must-add for its unique pungent depth. It’s truly the perfect accompaniment, making them an ideal appetizer for any occasion.

Beyond appetizers, these versatile bacon chicken meatballs are also a wonderful addition to a variety of dishes. Consider serving them:

As a main course with pasta and your favorite marinara sauce.
Nestled in warm pita bread with fresh greens for a delicious slider.
Alongside a fresh salad for a light yet satisfying meal.
Over fluffy rice or quinoa to soak up all the flavorful juices.
As part of a larger party platter, alongside other finger foods.

How to store chicken meatballs for future enjoyment?

These bacon chicken meatballs are excellent for meal prepping or saving leftovers. Store any baked chicken meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, they freeze beautifully. Place the cooled meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze for about an hour, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply reheat from frozen in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

Bacon Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Dipping Sauce

By Shinee Davaakhuu

Light and tender bacon chicken meatballs with creamy tangy dipping sauce – a true crowd-pleaser!

Prep: 20 mins

Cook: 15 mins

Total: 35 mins

Servings: 60 meatballs

Ingredients

For meatballs:

5 oz (140gr) bacon
2 lbs (1kg) ground chicken* (Note 1)
1 large egg
½ cup packed fresh parsley (about 20gr)
1 cup (60gr) Panko, Japanese breadcrumbs
5 garlic cloves, pressed
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

For sauce:

¼ cup (55gr) sour cream
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon creamy horseradish
1-2 teaspoons Sriracha
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2 baking sheets with silicone mats, or parchment paper.
In a food processor, place bacon and pulse until finely chopped.
Add all the remaining meatball ingredients. Pulse until everything is well combined.
Using a medium cookie scoop, divide the mixture into uniform meatballs, about 1-inch. (You will get about 60 meatballs.) Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until the meatballs are fully cooked.
Meanwhile, mix the sauce ingredients until smooth.
Serve the meatballs warm with sauce on the side.

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Tips & Notes

Note 1: Substitute chicken breasts for ground chicken, if necessary. Simply place whole chicken breasts into the food processor with bacon and pulse until well chopped.

Nutrition

Servings: 5 meatballs

Calories: 334 kcal

Carbohydrates: 26.8 g

Protein: 23.2 g

Fat: 15.2 g

Sugar: 1.1 g

Sodium: 624.5 mg

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American

Pro Tips for Perfect Bacon Chicken Meatballs Every Time

Achieving perfectly tender and flavorful meatballs is simple with a few expert tips:

**Don’t Overmix:** Once all ingredients are in the food processor, pulse just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough meatballs.
**Uniform Size Matters:** Using a cookie scoop ensures all meatballs are roughly the same size, promoting even cooking. No one wants an undercooked or overcooked meatball!
**Internal Temperature:** For food safety and optimal tenderness, ensure your chicken meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). A meat thermometer is your best friend here.
**Seasoning is Key:** Don’t skip on salt and pepper. These foundational seasonings bring out the best in the chicken and bacon. Taste a tiny cooked piece of the mixture before forming all the meatballs to adjust seasoning if desired.
**Non-Stick Baking:** Always line your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup.

Creative Flavor Variations to Explore

While this classic bacon chicken meatball recipe is perfect as is, feel free to experiment with these delicious variations:

**Spicy Kick:** Increase the Sriracha in the dipping sauce, or add a pinch of red pepper flakes directly into the meatball mixture.
**Herbaceous Twist:** Swap parsley for fresh cilantro, chives, or a mix of Italian herbs for a different aromatic profile.
**Cheesy Goodness:** Fold in a quarter cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese into the meatball mixture for an extra layer of savory flavor.
**Zesty Lemon:** Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the meatball mixture for a brighter, fresher taste that cuts through the richness of the bacon.
**Asian Inspired:** For an Asian twist, add a tablespoon of grated fresh ginger, a splash of soy sauce, and a drizzle of sesame oil to the meatball mixture. Serve with a sweet chili dipping sauce.

Why These Bacon Chicken Meatballs are a Must-Try

From weeknight dinners to festive gatherings, these bacon chicken meatballs are a versatile and beloved dish. Their juicy texture and incredible flavor, enhanced by the smoky bacon and light Panko, make them stand out. The easy preparation means you can whip up a batch without stress, and their freezer-friendly nature makes them perfect for planning ahead. Whether you’re serving them as a hearty appetizer or a delightful main course, they are sure to garner rave reviews. So go ahead, treat yourself and your loved ones to these exceptional bacon chicken meatballs, and prepare for a truly satisfying culinary experience!

This recipe was originally published on May 25, 2015, and has been updated for clarity, detail, and SEO optimization.