Sweet and Sour Chicken Meatballs

Sweet and Sour Chicken Meatballs (Easy, Healthy & Better Than Takeout)

These sweet and sour chicken meatballs are the perfect combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, all wrapped up in a quick and easy dinner recipe. Made with juicy homemade chicken meatballs, crisp bell peppers, and pineapple chunks tossed in a sticky homemade sauce, this dish is a healthier take on your favorite sweet and sour chicken takeout.

If you’re looking for a high-protein dinner idea, easy weeknight meal, or meal prep recipe, this one checks all the boxes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These homemade sweet and sour chicken meatballs are guaranteed to become a regular in your dinner rotation:

• Quick and easy dinner ready in about 30 minutes
• Packed with bold sweet and sour flavor
• Made with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients
• A healthier alternative to Chinese takeout recipes
• Perfect for meal prep lunches and dinners

Love easy bowl-style meals? These meatballs pair perfectly with rice—just like my Bang Bang Salmon Bowl and Burger Bowl.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken Meatballs:

• Ground chicken
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Egg
• Finely diced onion
• Fresh cilantro
• Minced garlic
• Soy sauce
• Sriracha
• Ground ginger

For the Sweet and Sour Sauce:

• Ketchup
• Pineapple juice
• Apple cider vinegar
• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Sriracha
• Ginger paste
• Cornstarch (for thickening)
• Bell peppers
• Pineapple chunks
• Red onion

These simple ingredients come together to create the ultimate sticky sweet and sour sauce that coats every bite.

How to Make Sweet and Sour Chicken Meatballs

This easy sweet and sour chicken recipe comes together in a few simple steps:

1. Make the Meatballs

In a large bowl, mix together ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, egg, onion, cilantro, garlic, soy sauce, sriracha, and ground ginger. Form into evenly sized meatballs.

2. Cook the Meatballs

Bake at 450F for 10-12 minutes.

3. Make the Sauce

In a pan, combine ketchup, pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, soy sauce, sriracha, and ginger paste. Bring to a simmer, then stir in cornstarch slurry to thicken.

4. Add the Veggies

Toss in bell peppers, pineapple chunks, and red onion. Cook until slightly tender but still crisp.

5. Combine Everything

Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and toss until fully coated and glossy.

More Easy Bowl Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re into easy dinner bowls and high-protein meals, check these out:

• Bang Bang Salmon Bowl
• Burger Bowl
• Greek Chicken Meatball Bowls

These recipes are perfect for quick dinners and weekly meal prep.

Print

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Course Main Course

Cuisine Chinese

Ingredients

Chicken Meatball

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1/4 cup yellow onion finely diced
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp cilantro chopped
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sriracha
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 cup panko crumbs

Sauce

• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sriracha
• 1/4 tsp finely diced ginger or ground ginger
• 1 tbsp cornstarch

Other

• 1/2 red bell pepper
• 1/2 orange bell pepper
• 20 oz pineapple chunks
• 1/2 cup red onion

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2. In a large bowl combine all ingredients for chicken meatballs. Mix until combined.

3. Roll into 1-in ball and place on baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 mins or until golden brown.

4. In a small/medium bowl, mix together ingredients for sauce. Mix until fully combined and no lumps.

5. In a large skillet, add onion and peppers with a lil olive oil. Saute' until they start to get a little tender. Add in sauce and pineapples and mix. Last add meatballs till coated and warm. Serve on top of rice.

Tips for the Best Sweet and Sour Chicken Meatballs

• Use fresh garlic and ginger for the best flavor
• Don’t overmix the meatballs to keep them tender
• Cut veggies evenly for consistent cooking
• Adjust sriracha to control the heat level
• Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor

How to Serve

These sweet and sour chicken meatballs are incredibly versatile:

• Serve over white rice or jasmine rice
• Pair with fried rice or noodles
• Make a sweet and sour chicken meatball bowl with veggies
• Serve as an appetizer with toothpicks

If you love meal bowls, you’ll also enjoy my Greek Chicken Meatball Bowls —another fresh, flavor-packed favorite.

Meal Prep & Storage

This is a great meal prep chicken recipe:

• Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days
• Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop
• Keep rice separate for best results

It reheats beautifully, making it perfect for lunches throughout the week.

Variations & Substitutions

Make this healthy sweet and sour chicken recipe your own:

• Swap ground chicken for turkey
• Use gluten-free breadcrumbs instead of panko
• Serve over cauliflower rice for a low-carb option
• Add broccoli or snap peas for extra veggies

Don’t Skip Dessert 🍫

Finish off your meal with something sweet! These easy desserts pair perfectly with this savory dish:

• Chocolate Chip Dip
• Chocolate Raspberry Trifles
• Chocolate Covered Cherry Cupcakes
• Caramel Apple Pie Cookies

Need more delicious recipes? Go here

Want to spice up date night? Go here

Itching to travel? Go here

Visiting New Orleans? Go here

Starting a bucket list? Go here

Save for later?