Chicken Chipotle Meatballs

Spice up your dinner routine with these juicy Chicken Chipotle Meatballs, a perfect blend of smoky and savory flavors! Made with ground chicken and infused with the heat of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, these tender meatballs are seasoned with cumin, smoked paprika, and garlic for an irresistible kick. Baked to perfection and simmered in a rich, zesty tomato sauce, they are incredibly versatile—serve them over fluffy rice, al dente pasta, or with a side of crusty bread to soak up every drop of the bold, flavorful sauce. Ready in just 45 minutes, this easy, one-pan dish is ideal for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a pop of freshness and let the smoky spice steal the spotlight!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 0.5 medium onion, finely diced
• 2 peppers chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 14 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, diced onion, minced chipotle peppers, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.

Step 3

Using your hands, roll the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. You should have about 16-20 meatballs.

Step 4

Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they are lightly browned and firm. They don’t need to be fully cooked, as they’ll finish cooking in the sauce.

Step 5

While the meatballs are baking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Step 6

Add the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and another minced chipotle pepper (if desired for extra heat) to the pan. Stir and bring the sauce to a simmer. Let it cook for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.

Step 7

Carefully transfer the partially baked meatballs into the simmering sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over the meatballs to coat them.

Step 8

Cover the skillet and let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for 10-15 minutes, or until they are fully cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 9

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if needed.

Step 10

Serve the Chicken Chipotle Meatballs hot, garnished with chopped cilantro if desired. They pair wonderfully with rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1331.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1395.6

Total Fat 77.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.6g
Cholesterol 604.3mg	0%
Sodium 4979.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 80.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.0g	0%
Total Sugars 24.6g
Protein 114.3g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 317.0mg	0%
Iron 15.4mg	0%
Potassium 4426.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.4%

Protein: 30.9%

Carbs: 21.7%