Firecracker Chicken Meatballs

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

For the meatballs:

• 1 ¾ – 2 pounds ground chicken
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup almond flour breadcrumbs (or other zero-carb breadcrumbs)
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder

For the firecracker sauce:

• ½ cup hot sauce (recommended: Pete’s)
• 1 cup Swerve brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼-½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (depending on spice preference)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 475°F (250°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Make the firecracker sauce: In a saucepan, combine all sauce ingredients and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, garlic, salt, pepper, eggs, breadcrumbs, paprika, and onion powder. Use your hands to mix until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent dry meatballs.
4. Shape the meat mixture into meatballs, using about 3 tablespoons of meat per ball. You can use an ice cream scoop for consistent sizing.
5. Place meatballs on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 11-13 minutes, or until cooked through.
6. Coat the meatballs in sauce: Dip each meatball in the firecracker sauce or brush it on generously.
7. Return the meatballs to the baking sheet and bake for an additional 1-2 minutes.
8. Drizzle or brush the meatballs with additional sauce, if desired.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Note: Need something a little faster? Forgo the bread crumbs and eggs and instead of making meatballs just brown the rest of the meatball ingredients in a skillet until done. Pour completed sauce over ground meat and serve with vegetables.