Spicy Korean Chicken Balls

Do you love the flavors of Korean Fried Chicken with that sweet, spicy and tangy glaze? This easy appetizer dish takes all the essence of the KFC as a simpler baked one bite appetizer version.

I tested several recipes and landed on this variation using ground chicken without the frying. This recipe is the perfect modern take on a Korean favorite. You can easily make this dish as a game changing exciting appetizer for your upcoming holiday parties.

The sauce is using the recipe for Korean Meatballs from food blogger Kimchimari. I love the sauce but thought it could use a bit less sugar and more umami factor so I added fish sauce and cayenne pepper.

The meatball recipe is a blend of the Kimchimari Korean Meatball and That Spicy Chick Chicken Meatball recipe modified to use only chicken and oven baked to simplify the cooking. I tested both recipes and the chicken was really flavorful baked in the oven that takes the sauce really well. The addition of tofu really makes the meatballs very light and fluffy!  I recently served these at a friends-giving dinner party and it was a huge hit!

 

RECIPE

Meatballs

1 pound ground chicken
1/3 cup firm tofu water squeezed out
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp minced ginger
1 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 tsp salt and pepper


Sauce
1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
1/4 cup soju or water
2 Tbsp Gochujang
2 Tbsp Ketchup
2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
1 Tbsp minced garlic
2 tsp sugar
1 Tbsp honey
1tsp worcestershire sauce
1 tsp fish sauce
1tsp garlic powder
1tsp onion powder
1/4 teaspoon ginger powder
Garnish with toasted sesame seeds

 

Preheat oven 400 degrees

Mix all meatball ingredients in a bowl. Form 1” round balls and lay them on a lined tray.

Spray canola oil all around the finished meatballs. Bake for 20 minutes.

After the meatballs are in the oven, start the glaze by combining all the sauce ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Cook the mixture in a saucepan (large enough to fit all the balls) and bring to a low boil, then reduce to heat to simmer for 10 minutes. 

After meatballs are cooked, drop them in the sauce and simmer low. You can keep them warm in a slow cooker and bring the whole pot to your party!

Enjoy!

Judy

Mandoo Club

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