Lemon Chicken Meatballs
Steamed lemon chicken meatballs are succulent and juicy, coated with a thick lemon cilantro sauce seasoned with zesty, spicy Asian flavors.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 lb ground chicken or turkey
- 2/3 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 4 oz water chestnuts diced
- 2 tbsp cilantro chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (dark preferred)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 1/2 tsp Chinese Five Spice
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 1 lemon zest of half
Lemon Sauce
- 4 tbsp lemon juice (1 large lemon)
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/8 tsp white pepper
- 1/4 cup cilantro chopped (lightly packed)
- 1/2 lemon peeled and diced (optional)
Instructions
Chicken Meatballs
- Place ground chicken in a bowl and add the Panko breadcrumbs, water chestnuts, cilantro, egg, oyster sauce, soy sauce, garlic, ginger paste, Chinese Five Spice, white pepper and lemon zest. Using your hands to incorporate and mix well.
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in freezer for 15 minutes to firm up the meatball mixture.
- Roll or scoop mixture into 12-16 meatballs. Transfer to a large non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Add 1/3 cup water, bring to a boil, cover and lower heat to simmer. Steam the meatballs for 10 minutes (water should almost completely evaporate; add more as needed). Remove from skillet and transfer to platter. Tent with foil to keep warm.
Lemon Sauce
- Place the juice from a large lemon (about 3-4 tablespoons), chicken stock, cornstarch, soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil and white pepper in a saucepan. Whisk together over medium heat until thickened.
- Stir in the diced lemon pieces (optional) and pour the sauce over the meatballs. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with steamed rice or noodles.
Nutrition
Serving: 4meatballs | Calories: 298kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 877mg | Potassium: 831mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 158IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 3mg