Cranberry-Orange Chicken Meatballs (Print version)

Tender baked chicken meatballs tossed in a glossy cranberry-orange glaze with a little garlic, ginger, and citrus zest.

# Ingredients:

For the chicken meatballs

01 - 1 1/2 lb (680 g) ground chicken
02 - 1/2 cup (35 g) panko breadcrumbs
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 3 tablespoons milk
05 - 1/4 cup (30 g) finely grated yellow onion
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
08 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil, for brushing or drizzling

For the cranberry-orange glaze

11 - 1 cup (275 g) whole-berry cranberry sauce
12 - 1/2 cup (160 g) orange marmalade
13 - 1/3 cup (80 ml) orange juice
14 - 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
15 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
16 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
17 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
18 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
19 - Extra orange zest, for garnish

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly brush or drizzle it with olive oil.
02 - In a large bowl, stir together the panko, egg, milk, grated onion, garlic, orange zest, salt, and pepper. Add the ground chicken and mix gently until just combined.
03 - With damp hands or a small scoop, shape the mixture into about 24 meatballs. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet with a little space between each one.
04 - Bake for 15-18 minutes, until lightly golden and the centers reach 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
05 - While the meatballs bake, combine cranberry sauce, orange marmalade, orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a large skillet. Simmer over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, until glossy and slightly thickened.
06 - Add the baked meatballs to the skillet and simmer for 3-5 minutes, spooning the glaze over the top. Garnish with parsley and orange zest before serving.

# Good to know:

01 - Makes about 24 meatballs.
02 - Serve as a main dish over rice or potatoes, or as an appetizer with toothpicks.
03 - For a smoother glaze, use jellied cranberry sauce instead of whole-berry.

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