Pan Fried Firecracker Chicken Meatballs

These high protein, low carb firecracker chicken meatballs are one of my favorite recipes on this blog. With 10 grams of protein, 2 grams of carbs, and just 75 calories each, you can seriously load up on protein and enjoy every bite. They’re super easy to make, and you can pan fry them on the stovetop or prep them in an air fryer or oven in case you want to ball out for your next meal prep.

Firecracker Chicken Meatballs Ingredient Notes

I used the same sauce from my firecracker ground chicken recipe. You’ll need buffalo sauce (like Frank’s RedHot), cider or rice vinegar, and Swerve Brown or dark brown sugar. You can swap the brown sugar for something like the honey in my firecracker ground bison, if you’d like.

If you’re unfamiliar with Swerve, they make zero-calorie sugar substitutes that taste and cook just like real sugar. I’ve used their brown sugar substitute to make everything from air fryer apple fritters and skillet monkey bread to breakfast sausage seasoning and air fryer cajun fries. I love the stuff, but you can definitely use regular dark brown sugar in a pinch. I’ve included nutrition facts notes for both in the recipe card.

For the meatballs, you’ll need ground chicken, Panko (or regular) breadcrumbs, shredded parmesan, and a few spices. I’ve tested the recipe with both 92/8 and 93/7 ground chicken. The extra fat in the 92/8 obviously helps keep the meatballs tender and adds a bit more flavor, but the 97/3 is still great. Ground turkey or other lean ground meats will work fine as substitutes.

Making the Pan Fried Firecracker Chicken Meatballs

You’ll find a visual recipe walkthrough below so you’ll know what to look for in each step of the recipe. It’s a really simple recipe but if you have any questions I don’t cover, feel free to drop a comment at the bottom of the post.

I’ve also included notes in the recipe card for making meatballs in the oven and/or air fryer in case you don’t want to pan fry.

Make the firecracker sauce and form 12 meatballs. Set aside.

I highly recommend using a food scale for forming evenly sized meatballs. You can weigh the entire meatball mixture and divide by 12 to find the exact weight each meatball should be.

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Gently add the meatballs.

I wouldn’t recommend omitting the olive oil. It will add lots of flavor, help with browning the exterior of your meatballs, and prevent sticking. Meatballs aren’t really a food you want to be struggling to handle!

Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping every 1-2 minutes to brown the meatballs on all sides and fully cook to an internal temperature of 165ºF.

Be sure you’re patient with the first side. Let the meatballs hang out and develop a nice golden brown color on the first side. If yours are taking longer than my time recommendation, give them time!

Add the sauce and stir/toss the meatballs in the sauce until it’s reduced to a thick, syrupy sauce.

The meatballs will continue cooking in the pan once you add the sauce, but you’ll want them fully cooked just to be safe. If you have a food thermometer, you’re looking for an internal temperature of 165ºF.

Be sure to stir frequently to avoid burning the sauce. If you notice any burning, reduce the heat or pull the pan off the heat entirely. The sauce should thicken quickly even with minimal heat.

And that’s what you’re looking for. Sticky, syrupy, sweet and spicy goodness. If you notice a granular texture (from the brown sugar), your firecracker sauce may need a bit longer.

Unlike some of my other chicken meatball recipes, you’ll have a bit more sauce for serving. Don’t expect all the sauce to stick to the meatballs.

Serving Your Firecracker Meatballs

Toasted sesame seeds and green onion are basically a must. I served most of my test batches over rice, but you could keep the carbs in check with the dreaded perennial favorite cauliflower rice. If you want to spruce up cauliflower rice, check out my air fryer cauliflower rice stir fry.

More side dish ideas for meatballs: 

• healthy yum yum sauce
• honey soy air fried brussels sprouts
• Chinese broccoli with garlic sauce
• spicy Asian green beans
• spicy Asian style broccoli
• sesame ginger carrot salad

Okie doke, that should cover everything. Be sure to come back to let me know what you think about these firecracker chicken meatballs. And like I mentioned above, I’d be happy to answer any questions you have about this recipe. Just drop them in a comment below. Otherwise, enjoy!