Fall Apple Chicken Meatballs Recipe Is a High-Protein Dinner Winner (30 Minutes) by Dina Deleasa-Gonsar DishItGirl.com

These chicken apple meatballs are another recipe that came from cooking for my daughter. The juicy high-protein chicken apple meatballs are packed with good ingredients and have an amazing flavor. Plus you get all the health benefits of protein in every savory bite.

To make this fall-inspired meatball recipe you will need to gather the following ingredients: butter, carrots, onion, apples (check out the health benefits of apples), breadcrumbs, milk (regular or nut milk), an egg, Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, fresh tarragon, fresh garlic, ground chicken, olive oil, barbecue sauce and chicken broth.

Photo credit: Dish It Girl/Dina Delease-Gonsar

Cooking Notes: I used almond milk and the meatballs tasted perfectly fine! Of course, you can use regular milk if you prefer. Try this recipe with ground turkey or ground beef.

Serve this easy meatball recipe for dinner with your favorite side dishes. I served these ground chicken meatballs with a salad that had a creamy ranch dressing. Some other great options are green beans or asparagus.

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter, unsalted
• 1/2 cup chopped carrot
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped apple
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons almond milk (or regular milk)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon tarragon, chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups barbecue sauce
• 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Here's how to make it: 

1. Melt the butter in a large sauté pan with high sides. Add the carrot and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the apples and onions and cook another 3 minutes. Turn off heat and let the mixture cool down. (Use whatever type of apple you like.)
2. In a large bowl add the breadcrumbs and milk. Whisk together and let it sit for 2 minutes. Add in the Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, egg, tarragon and garlic. Mix to combine. Add the carrot, apple and onion mixture to bowl along with the ground chicken. With your hands mix all ingredients until well combined. Do not over mix!
3. Form the mixture into balls using about 2 tablespoons of the ground chicken mixture per each meatball. 
4. Heat the olive oil in the pan. Add the the meatballs to the pan and brown on all sides. Work in batches in order to not crowd the pan. Set aside meatballs as they finish cooking. Once the meatballs are done frying, discard any excess oil from the pan.
5. In a small bowl whisk together the BBQ sauce and the chicken stock. Add the meatballs back to the pan. Cover them with the sauce. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook about 7 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through. Serve. 
6. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave.

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