Okay, so you know how sometimes you just *crave* something easy peasy for dinner, but you also want it to be, like, actually good for you? And something the kids will gobble up without a fight? Well, friend, I have the answer: these ah-mazing Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs! Seriously, they’re a total game changer.
I started making these a few years ago because little Mikey, bless his heart, wouldn’t touch his veggies. I was desperate! So, I snuck some sweet potato into some ground chicken, and, *voila*! He loved them. And the best part? These Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs are not only super yummy, but they’re also packed with so much goodness. Win-win, right?
Why You’ll Love These *Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs*
Okay, spill the tea – why are these Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs so freakin’ awesome? Let me break it down for ya:
- Easy Peasy: Seriously, you can whip these up in under an hour. Perfect for those crazy weeknights!
- Flavor Bomb: The sweet potato gives them this amazing, slightly sweet flavor that’s just irresistible.
- Healthy & Happy: We’re sneaking in those veggies, so you can feel good about what you’re feeding your family.
- Versatile AF: Serve ’em with pasta, rice, or on their own with a yummy sauce. So many choices!
Ingredients You’ll Need for *Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs*
Alright, before we get cooking these insanely delicious Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs, let’s gather our supplies! Here’s the grocery list, nice and simple:
- 1 pound of ground chicken (yep, just a pound!)
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and then *grated* (that’s the secret!)
- 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs (panko works great, too!)
- 1/4 cup of chopped onion (I usually use yellow)
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced (fresh is best, trust me!)
- 1 large egg (helps bind everything together!)
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano (for that herby goodness)
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt (don’t skimp!)
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper (freshly ground, if you’re fancy!)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil (for browning those beauties)
See? Nothing crazy, all easy to find. Okay, let’s move on to actually making these mouthwatering meatballs!
How to Make Delicious *Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs*: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, now for the fun part! Making these Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs is super simple, I swear. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be golden. Don’t worry, even if you’re a kitchen newbie, you got this!
Preparing the Meatball Mixture
First things first! Get a big ol’ bowl – seriously, the bigger the better. Now, toss in that ground chicken. Then, take that grated sweet potato (Remember, fresh is best!) and add it in. Next, throw in those breadcrumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, that egg, oregano, salt, and pepper. Time to get your hands dirty! Mix everything *really* well with your hands until it’s all combined. Make sure everything is distributed evenly. Careful, it splatters!
Shaping the *Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs*
Alright, time to roll those meatballs! You’ll want to take about a tablespoon or so of the mixture and gently roll it between your palms into a nice, round ball. Aim for about 1-inch in size, so you have those perfect little bites of meatball goodness. I usually get about 20-24 meatballs from a pound of chicken.
Browning the Meatballs
Okay, this step is super important, so pay attention! Grab a skillet and pour in that olive oil. Heat it over medium heat. Now, carefully add the meatballs to the skillet. Don’t overcrowd the pan – you might need to do this in batches. Brown them on all sides until they’re lightly golden. This gives them amazing flavor and helps them hold their shape. Careful, it splatters!
Baking the *Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs* to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), while you’re browning the meatballs. Once they’re all browned, transfer those beauties to a baking dish. Pop them in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until they’re cooked all the way through. You’ll know they’re done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. You can use a meat thermometer just to make sure. Let them cool down a bit before you serve them, but trust me, these Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs are so good you will not want to wait!
Serving Suggestions for Your *Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs*
Okay, now for the best part: the eating! These Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs are crazy versatile. Seriously, you can eat them with practically anything! My go-to is always pasta with a big ol’ dollop of marinara. You can throw them over some creamy rice, too! You should try my recipe for creamy smothered chicken and rice! And if you want to keep things super simple, they’re amazing all by themselves with a side salad. Or, hey, why not make a meatball sub on some crusty bread? The options are endless!
Don’t forget, these meatballs are also *amazing* on a pizza! You should try my recipe for easy Margherita pizza!
Tips for Success: Perfecting Your *Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs*
Alright, friends, let’s talk about making these Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs absolutely *perfect*. The key to juicy, flavorful meatballs is all about a few little tricks!
First off, don’t overmix the meat! Overmixing can make the meatballs tough – nobody wants that! Mix just until everything is combined, and then stop. Second, *don’t* overbake them. Keep an eye on the time, and definitely use a meat thermometer (if you have one!) to make sure they’re cooked through, but still nice and moist. Another tip? Don’t be shy with the seasonings: a little extra oregano or a pinch of red pepper flakes can do wonders! Trust me, these tips will transform your meatballs from good to *OMG-I-need-another-one* good!
Variations on the *Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs* Recipe
Oh, honey, once you make these Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs, you’re gonna want to experiment! That’s the best part! Don’t be afraid to get creative: Think different herbs, like fresh parsley or thyme. You can also add a pinch of garlic powder or onion powder for extra flavor. For the veggies, go wild! Try shredded zucchini or carrots for a super veggie-packed meal. Sometimes, I even play around with adding a little bit of cheese like parmesan.
Make-Ahead & Freezer Tips for *Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs*
Okay, busy bees, listen up! These Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs are *perfect* for meal prepping because you can totally make them ahead of time! What’s better than delicious meatballs? Meatballs ready to go!
Make a big batch of the meatballs, and then freeze them for later. Simply shape them, brown them (or skip that step if you’re short on time!), and add the meatballs to a freezer bag or container. They freeze beautifully! When you’re ready to eat these Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs, just thaw them in the fridge overnight. You can bake them straight from frozen, too, just add a few more minutes to the cooking time. It’s a lifesaver!
Nutritional Information for *Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs*
Heads up, friends! The nutritional info below is just an *estimate*. It might change depending on what brands of ingredients you use and how big or small your meatballs turn out. But still, here’s a peek!
Frequently Asked Questions About *Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs*
Alright, before you dive right into making your own *Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs*, I know you probably have some questions! So, to save you some time and trouble, I figured I’d answer some of the most common ones right here. Think of it as your own little cheat sheet to meatball mastery. Hopefully, these will help ya out!
Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
You betcha! Ground turkey works perfectly fine in this recipe. Just make sure it’s a good quality ground turkey. The taste will be a little different, but they’ll be just as delicious, and still a pretty healthy choice! Plus, you can substitute ground beef too!
How do I prevent the meatballs from falling apart?
The key to meatballs that stick together is using an egg (we’ve got that covered!), not overmixing the meat, and browning them. Also, don’t overcrowd the pan when you’re browning them! Letting them cook undisturbed for a few minutes will help them develop a nice crust, and hold their shape.
What can I serve with these meatballs?
Ooh, the possibilities! You can go classic and serve them with spaghetti and your favorite sauce. Or, you can serve them with rice, mashed potatoes, or even on a slider bun. Don’t be afraid to get creative! Whatever sounds good to you, go for it!
Ready to Try These Delicious *Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs*?
Okay, now it’s YOUR turn! I seriously hope you love these Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs as much as I do! Give them a try and let me know what you think in the comments below! Did you add some other yummy ingredients? Tell us all about it! And if you love this recipe (and I hope you will!), please rate it and share it with your friends – let’s spread the meatball love!
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Chicken & Sweet Potato Meatballs
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These meatballs combine chicken and sweet potato for a flavorful meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and grated
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, combine ground chicken, grated sweet potato, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, egg, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Mix well.
- Roll mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Brown meatballs on all sides.
- Transfer meatballs to a baking dish.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until cooked through.
Notes
- Serve with your favorite sauce.
- These meatballs are great with pasta or on their own.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
