Cranberry Orange Chicken Meatballs

These Cranberry Orange Chicken Meatballs are the perfect bite-sized dish for the holidays! Bright citrus from orange zest meets the tartness of cranberries, all rounded out with aromatic rosemary. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer or a snack, these meatballs are a flavorful, and cook quickly in the oven or air fryer!

I love meatballs. Who doesn’t love meatballs? Classic Italian meatballs and Swedish meatballs were my favorite until I took one bite of these chicken meatballs with dried cranberry. Imagine everything you love about cranberry sauce rolled into a sweet, tangy and savory ground chicken meatball.

With so few ingredients, it’s hard to believe ground chicken meatballs can have so much flavor, but these are DELICIOUS. Orange zest, cranberries and fresh rosemary infuse bright, tart and cozy aromatic flavor. Serve them during special occasions as a gluten-free appetizer or with a couple of wholesome sides like everything bagel mashed potatoes or on top of sous vide rice.

These simple instructions will show you how to bake cranberry orange chicken meatballs in the oven and how to make them in the air fryer. Ready to make meatballs? Let’s do it.

🍊Key Ingredients

• Ground Chicken – Ground chicken has a bad rep for being bland. That may be true, but with the right spices and seasonings it’s delicious. It absorbs flavor and is a great source of lean protein.
• Egg – binds the meatball mixture and keeps the meatballs moist.
• Almond Flour – is an awesome gluten-free breadcrumb substitution. It absorbs the chicken juices as the meatballs cook, so all of that flavor and moisture gets locked into the meatballs. You can also use regular plain breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs.
• Orange Zest – adds a sweet and citrusy zing.
• Dried Cranberries –Adds bursts of sweet and tart flavor that balances the savory flavors.
• Fresh Rosemary – adds woodsy, peppery flavor. There’s something about this aromatic herb that’s cozy and comforting.
• Seasonings – You can use a premade poultry seasoning, or a little bit of garlic powder, salt, and pepper is all you need for this one.

📖 How To Make Cranberry Orange Chicken Meatballs

1️⃣ Preheat oven and prep baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet. Set aside.

2️⃣ Combine ingredients. In a large bowl, add the ground chicken, egg, almond flour, orange zest, dried cranberries, rosemary, and seasonings. Using your hands, combine the ingredients thoroughly without overworking the mixture.

3️⃣ Roll meatballs. Using your hands, roll the mixture into 1/2″ meatballs. Place the meatballs onto the baking sheet.

4️⃣ Bake and serve. Transfer the meatballs to your preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through. Serve warm with toothpicks.

👩🏻‍🍳 Pro Tips

• Rehydrating your cranberries will prevent them from absorbing the moisture we want locked into the chicken. Soaking them in water for 2 hours will plump them back up.
• Ground chicken varies in how moist it is, so you may need to adjust the almond flour if the mixture is too sticky. Add in a tablespoon at a time until the mixture is workable.
• Another way you can make the mixture easier to work with is by chilling it in the fridge for 30 minutes or in the freezer for 10.
• There’s nothing worse than a dry meatball, so do your best not to overcook them.
• To check for doneness, cut into one and make sure the chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear -or use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees.

♨️ Air Fryer Instructions

Chicken meatballs can be cooked in the air fryer. This is especially convenient when cooking a large holiday meal, and you need the oven available for the main course.

1️⃣ Make the meatballs according to the oven directions. While prepping the meatballs, preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees.

2️⃣ Carefully place the meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single – layer and air fry until cooked through (about 12 to 15 minutes). Flip each meatball halfway through.

🌀Variations and Creative Twists

• Size matters: Roll them smaller for cocktail appetizers or larger for a main course.
• Switch up the protein: Use ground turkey, pork, or even a blend of both. For beef or pork, ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F, then rest for 5 minutes before serving.
• Herb alternatives: Try thyme, sage, or tarragon for added depth.
• Add heat: Mix in finely chopped jalapeño for a spicy kick.
• Fruit swaps: Use diced apples or dried apricots instead of cranberries for a sweet change.
• Glaze options: Drizzle with cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, or a honey mustard glaze for extra flavor.

🍽️ Make Orange Cranberry Meatballs a Meal

With a couple of hearty sides, these meatballs are a fantastic meal. They go great with:

• Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
• Riced Cauliflower Stuffing
• Sauteed Mushrooms & Peas
• Green Beans Almondine

♻️ Storing & Freezing

Storing – Store your meatballs in a shallow airtight container or bag in the fridge for up to 2 to 3 days.

Freezing – To freeze, spread cooled meatballs on a baking sheet and set in the freezer until frozen solid. Then put the meatballs in a freezer-safe airtight bag and freeze for 2 to 3 months.

❓ FAQ

More Easy Appetizer Recipes

• Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
• Italian Antipasti Skewers
• Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
• Keto Buffalo Chicken Dip