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Sweet and Sour Chicken Meatballs

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By: MadelinePosted: 07/30/2020Updated: 05/23/2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Sweet and Sour Chicken Meatballs are a delicious and easy meal that can be made for a quick family dinner or as a weekly meal prep item. This recipe is Whole30 and paleo-friendly which makes it lower in sugar, but still bursting with flavor.

Three quarter view of sweet and sour chicken meatballs in a serving dish with rice and garnished with green onion

Make some delicious sweet and sour meatballs for a healthy weeknight dinner

This recipe for sweet and sour chicken meatballs is my absolute favorite kind of recipe to create for my blog. It has all of them favorite components. It is easy, makes a delicious sauce and is Whole30 compliant.

This recipe helps prove my point that embarking on the Whole30 does not need to be bland or boring. On the contrary, it was flavorful, but simple meals like these sweet and sour chicken meatballs that helped to keep me on track when I wanted to cheat. If I knew I had something like this waiting for me at the end or the day, it was easier to say no to that cookie in the break room.

All of that said, this recipe is wonderful even if you aren’t on the Whole30, don’t even know what it is and have no plans of ever even attempting it. I kept the spice level low on this recipe and tried to focus on making it flavorful with simple ingredients. This would be a perfect recipe for those picky kiddos that you are trying to get to eat healthy.

Above view of chicken meatballs in a frying pan

How should I enjoy these chicken meatballs in a sticky sweet and sour sauce?

Like I said above, I created this sweet and sour chicken meatball recipe with Whole30 participants in mind. If you’re on the Whole30 then I recommend eating this dish with some zoodles, cauliflower rice or sauteed zucchini.

If you are not on Whole30 and you like to eat grains, then you gotta try this with some fluffy rice. I recently perfected the art of cooking rice in my instant pot and my life is forever change. Check out the caption on this Instagram post to see how I make it.

Can I make these Whole30 chicken meatballs and freeze them?

If you want to make a big batch of these chicken meatballs ahead of time, you can cook a big batch and freeze them. Then when you are ready to eat them, allow them to defrost and warm up in the oven.

You can wait to prepare the sauce when you reheat the meatballs because it only takes a few minutes to make. Then, once the meatballs are reheated, toss them in the sauce and serve them.

 
Three quarter view of sweet and sour meatballs in a large frying pan with a wooden spoon

What ingredients do you need to make this paleo sweet and sour chicken?

Because I wanted these sweet and sour chicken meatballs to be Whole30 compliant, I knew that I could not make them sweet with any sweetener. I made them naturally sweet by using a little pineapple juice and ketchup. I love using Primal Kitchen Foods or Tesemae’s for Whole30 friendly ketchup options.

In addtion to the ketchup, the ingredients you will need for the meatballs are ground chicken, an egg, almond flour, avocado oil, salt and pepper. For the sauce you will need the pineapple juice and ketchup, as well as coconut aminos, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and sriracha. Feel free to use soy sauce in place of the coconut aminos if you aren’t on the Whole30.

I used arrowroot starch to thicken my sweet and sour sauce. I only use a tiny bit of this at the very end of cooking. If you don’t feel comfortable using this ingredient, or just don’t want to, you can leave it out of the recipe.

Above view of sweet and sour chicken meatballs in a bowl with white rice

Let’s make some Sweet and Sour Chicken Meatballs

Step 1: Prepare and bake the meatballs

To begin, preheat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, add meatball ingredients (ground chicken, egg, almond flour, 2 tbsp ketchup, salt, and pepper) to a large mixing bowl.

Mix thoroughly and use a scoop or spoon to scoop eighteen 1 tbsp meatballs on to a baking sheet. Then, bake at 400F for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the sauce

While the meatballs bake, prepare a sauce by combining pineapple juice, coconut aminos, sesame oil, sriracha, rice vinegar, and ketchup in a small bowl.

When the meatballs are almost finished cooking, add the sauce to a frying pan and heat over medium-high heat until it bubbles. Then, educe to a simmer and simmer for 4 minutes

Next, remove the meatballs from the oven. Then, prepare a slurry of arrowroot starch and water to thicken the sauce.

Step 3: Mix the meatballs and sweet and sour sauce together and enjoy!

Increase the heat of the sauce to medium-high and pour the slurry into the pan. Next, mix vigorously to thicken the sauce and then reduce heat to low.

Finally, toss the meatballs in the sauce until they are coated and then remove the pan from the heat. Garnish with green onion and serve with rice or cauliflower rice.

How long can I keep these Whole30 chicken meatballs?

Once prepared, place the meatballs in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove top.

Check out these other delicious chicken meatball recipes!

  • Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Meatballs
  • Chicken Tikka Meatballs
  • Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Meatballs

You can find the entire recipe down below. If you make my sweet and sour chicken meatballs, please leave me a comment down below or let me know on Instagram!

Image for pinning sweet and sour chicken meatballs recipe on pinterest.
Recipe

Sweet and Sour Chicken Meatballs

★★★★★ 4.6 from 12 reviews

Whole30 chicken meatballs in a sticky sweet and sour sauce

Recipe By: Madeline
Prep: 10 minutesCook: 20 minutesTotal: 30 minutes
Print Pin it Rate recipe Save recipe
Servings: 3 Servings 1x

Ingredients

Chicken Meatballs Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground chicken breast
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Sweet and Sour Sauce Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/4 cup coconut aminos or soy sauce
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 tbsp sriracha
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • Optional: 1/2 tbsp arrowroot starch mixed with 2 tbsp water

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
  2. Add meatball ingredients (ground chicken, egg, almond flour, 2 tbsp ketchup, salt and pepper to a large mixing bowl)
  3. Mix thoroughly and use a scoop or spoon to scoop eighteen 1 tbsp meatballs on to a baking sheet
  4. Bake at 400F for 15 minutes
  5. While the meatballs bake prepare a sauce by combining pineapple juice, coconut aminos, sesame oil, sriracha, rice vinegar, and ketchup in a small bowl
  6. When the meatballs are almost finished cooking add the sauce to a frying pan and heat over medium-high heat until it bubbles
  7. Reduce to a simmer and simmer for 4 minutes
  8. Remove the meatballs from the oven
  9. Prepare a slurry of arrowroot starch and water to thicken the sauce
  10. Increase the heat of the sauce to medium-high and pour the slurry into the pan
  11. Mix vigorously to thicken the sauce and then reduce heat to low
  12. Toss the meatballs in the sauce until they are coated and then remove the pan from the heat
  13. Garnish with green onion and serve with rice or cauliflower rice
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
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About Madeline

Hi, I'm Madeline! I am so excited to share my healthy and approachable recipes with you. Here you will find simple, comforting recipes that the whole family will enjoy. Turn on your favorite playlist or podcast and let's get cooking!

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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Jenn says

    Posted on 7/30 at 10:49 pm

    First off, this looks AMAZING! Can you substitute Tapioca flour for almond flour?

    Reply
    • Madeline Tague says

      Posted on 8/1 at 2:01 pm

      Thank you! It might dry them out a bit so don’t use as much. Maybe a 1/4 cup or so.

      Reply
  2. Marissa says

    Posted on 8/25 at 9:54 am

    I made this sweet and sour sauce for a shrimp, onion, and pepper stir fry and it was AMAZING!! Love this sauce so much. Will need to use on the meatballs but needed to say sauce is 10/10 with anything you want to put it on.

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 8/25 at 10:01 am

      That is such a good idea!! I think I need to do just a regular chicken stir fry with this sauce!!

      Reply
  3. Karen says

    Posted on 9/5 at 7:08 pm

    Made these last night! Oh my! They were so yummy!!

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 9/9 at 9:15 am

      Ah I am so glad you enjoyed!!

      Reply
  4. Lizzy says

    Posted on 9/15 at 1:52 pm

    I have a long work day so using my precious free time meal prepping is challenging. Spending the time and $ on almond flour was worth it. I’ve been snacking on these all week and they’re getting me through my day feeling nourished.

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 9/16 at 3:03 pm

      AW this made me smile! I agree that time is precious so if you’re going to use it and your money it better taste great!!!

      Reply
  5. Emily Britt says

    Posted on 9/23 at 4:44 pm

    Can’t wait to try this. I am allergic to Pineapples – do you recommend I sub this with anything specific?

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 9/23 at 6:39 pm

      Hi!! Orange juice would work great if you can have that ☺️

      Reply
  6. Nicole C. says

    Posted on 11/17 at 2:53 pm

    What do you recommend as a substitute for almond flour ? Would regular be okay ?

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 11/19 at 11:16 am

      Yes! Regular flour will work!

      Reply
  7. Amanda says

    Posted on 1/3 at 5:48 pm

    YUM! This was delicious. Hubs says they are addictive. Thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/4 at 3:49 pm

      ah thats amazing!! I am so glad!

      Reply
  8. Emily says

    Posted on 1/5 at 8:13 pm

    Easy and delicious

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/7 at 12:43 pm

      awesome!!

      Reply
  9. Danielle says

    Posted on 1/9 at 1:25 pm

    Yum yum yum- I could eat these meatballs every day. My husband was skeptical when I told him about this dish- but the meatballs were so moist- even on reheat. The sauce is delicious and brought great flavor to the rice. Really great dinner that’s not even pricey! I appreciate the ingredients were all thinks I consider pantry staples.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/11 at 10:15 pm

      Wonderful!! I really try to keep my ingredients straightforward so that makes me so happy!

      Reply
  10. Bethany Thomas says

    Posted on 1/18 at 4:45 pm

    This was such an easy recipe and the sauce is amazing! I made these for lunches this week but could see using the sauce with shrimp or other meats for a different meal. I used no sugar ketchup, which I honestly hate, and using in this recipe was perfect and the sauce is great. I’ll make this again to use up the ketchup and not waste it, so happy I found this recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/18 at 9:07 pm

      wonderful!! thank you so much!!

      Reply
  11. Abby says

    Posted on 1/25 at 5:42 pm

    Loved this recipe! Easy to make and delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/25 at 5:45 pm

      Thank you!!

      Reply
  12. Meghan says

    Posted on 4/11 at 8:21 pm

    This recipe was delicious! I made it with a side of basmati rice and roasted broccoli. The meatballs came out perfectly. I will definitely make it again.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 4/12 at 12:10 pm

      That sounds lovely!!

      Reply
  13. Whitney says

    Posted on 5/14 at 2:31 pm

    These came together so quickly and were so flavorful. Looking forward to adding them to the rotation!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 6/1 at 10:49 am

      YAY! love to hear that!

      Reply
  14. Alden says

    Posted on 7/20 at 8:24 pm

    This recipe was so delicious! I am always looking for a new way to love meatballs and this tasted so fresh and was perfect for my round of Whole30. Had it over cauli rice with snow peas!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 7/25 at 8:13 pm

      that sounds awesome!!

      Reply
  15. Devon says

    Posted on 9/10 at 10:03 pm

    This is SO GOOD. I had been meaning to try it for some time and was holding off because I dislike the extra effort involved in making meatballs, but this was SO EASY. I’m a medical student, and easy, quick, healthy and tasty is absolutely key because I have to meal prep a lot. I also love a good sweet and sour from a Chinese restaurant, and this is just as tasty if not better, and it’s cheaper and way easier for meal prepping.
    I made a few very small tweaks and it was still absolutely delicious–I swapped bread crumbs for the almond flour as I’m not gluten free; I also added a splash more pineapple juice and a little more ketchup to the sauce, because I like that tangy taste to my sweet and sour sauce. It came out perfectly.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 9/12 at 1:17 pm

      AMAZING!! so glad to hear that! tahnk you!

      Reply
  16. Emily says

    Posted on 12/8 at 9:00 pm

    These didn’t work out for us. Nothing in the recipe list could garner the color of the sauce that is indicated in the photos either. Not really sure what happened here. I ended up googling another sauce recipe.

    ★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 12/9 at 11:34 am

      Aw so sorry to hear that! Not sure what the issue was because i’ve made this recipe many times with a successful result, but hate to hear its not working for others

      Reply
  17. Emily R. says

    Posted on 12/9 at 12:31 pm

    So easy to make on a weeknight and perfect combo of flavors!! Lots of leftovers too

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 12/9 at 3:13 pm

      yay glad you liked it! love when theres leftovers.

      Reply
  18. Darlene Torgrim says

    Posted on 9/22 at 5:12 pm

    I have been looking for your recipe for Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup. Everyone Loves it.!!!!! Could you Please send it to my e-mail ? Thank You !!

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 9/25 at 1:28 pm

      https://madaboutfood.co/roasted-red-pepper-and-tomato-soup/

      Reply

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