Ode To Meatballs
There are so many reasons to love meatballs, and we’ve probably covered them all more than a few times here on TMP because we’ve shared so many meatball recipes. Because we love meatballs! But forgive us, OK, because we’re going to go over a few of the reasons we love meatballs again. We love them because:
- They’re the ideal way to pile tons of flavor into a single bite. Cross referencing our Meatball Shakshuka recipe as proof.
- Meatballs are so easy to make ahead and freeze (and we’ll walk you through how to freeze these ground chicken meatballs later).
- Meatballs are fun to eat! That means that the kids in our lives and yours will be (sometimes) more willing to eat them!
- Meatballs—especially chicken meatballs like these—are pretty darn healthy. Paired with a couple of veggie side dishes, they make for a simple, flavorful, healthy dinner that is easy to love. For more meatball recipe ideas, check out our favorite Meatball Recipes!
![ingredients for chicken meatballs including ground chicken, red onions, bread crumbs, eggs, bell peppers, onions and spices.](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2020/Chicken-Shawarma-Meatballs-1.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1599768578&s=1bede1f278a8355bea247108dff10b67)
What’s In Chicken Shawarma Meatballs?
These tender, generously-spiced chicken meatballs are seasoned within an inch of their life. That means they’re not even close to being in danger of being the dreaded ground chicken thing: bland. Nope. Fragrant and savory, they’re anything but bland. Serve with Falafel and you’re in for a real treat. Here’s what’s in our baked chicken meatball recipe:
- Ground chicken
- Bread crumbs
- Milk
- Eggs
- Garlic
- Onion
- Cumin
- Turmeric
- Cinnamon
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
![ground meat, bread crumbs, eggs and spices in a bowl for chicken shawarma meatballs](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2020/Chicken-Shawarma-Meatballs-2.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1599768576&s=b1923429733e3745e4a4c80bf8034ce2)
![ground meat with spices in a glass bowl for chicken shawarma meatballs](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2020/Chicken-Shawarma-Meatballs-3.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1599768575&s=5e5e12d19655719aebafa0ea09fcb6cc)
![raw chicken shawarma meatballs shown on a baking sheet](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2020/Chicken-Shawarma-Meatballs-4.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1599768576&s=d012855e61a841a4ff3e43696668f7f6)
![raw chicken shawarma meatballs with red onions and bell peppers on a baking sheet](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2020/Chicken-Shawarma-Meatballs-5.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1599768574&s=9ff2340bfecfb5757a3301d2264f1b88)
How To Make Chicken Meatballs
The best chicken meatballs start with good quality ground chicken, and from there your main job is to add lots of flavor (see: all the spices) and a few other ingredients to help them stay moist and tender. Here’s how to work some chicken meatball magic:
- Start with what we affectionately refer to as “the onion trick”. Grate an onion to a pulp using a cheese grater (laborious) or food processor (much easier), then plop the onion pulp in a kitchen towel and squeeze out all the liquid.
- Use your hands to gently mix the ground chicken, eggs, bread crumbs, milk, spices and squeezed-out onion pulp. Mix until it’s just combined, and try to have a light touch. Overmixing is the path to tough meatballs.
- Time for the “water trick”! Place a little bowl full of water next to you, and wet your hands as you roll the meatballs. It’ll help keep the meat from sticking to your palms.
- Pop the chicken meatballs in the oven to bake—400°F for 25 minutes and....
- Dinner is done! We love to make a Middle Eastern feast of it and serve these chicken shawarma meatballs with hummus, tzatziki sauce and / or tahini sauce.
![Baked chicken shawarma meatballs shown on a baking sheet with bell peppers and red onions.](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2020/Chicken-Shawarma-Meatballs-6.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1599768574&s=d3359d34f8b0b7911429f7c5b805e4f7)
Tools You’ll Need:
![chicken shawarma meatballs shown on a blue plate with herbs and vegetables](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2020/Chicken-Shawarma-Meatballs-9.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1599768573&s=f221a2a460235f73238ee81ac310d235)
![chicken shawarma meatballs shown on a plate drizzled with tahini sauce](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2020/Chicken-Shawarma-Meatballs-12.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1599768577&s=e51f9c79756e5647b20269f65c50fe29)
More Chicken Meatball Recipes to Try
We’re chicken meatball fanatics, and you should be one, too! Here are a few more of the very best chicken meatball recipes, ever:
![chicken shawarma meatballs on a blue plate with small bowls of tzatziki, tahini and cucumbers.](https://images.themodernproper.com/billowy-turkey/production/posts/2020/Chicken-Shawarma-Meatballs-13.jpg?w=1200&q=82&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1599768577&s=f0bdeee85e6c162fc3e32f238e264670)
Don’t Chicken Out!
If you try these chicken shawarma meatballs, let us know how it goes, OK? Share a photo and tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper so that we can see your stuff! Happy eating!
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