Gluten-Free Asian Chicken Meatballs with Sticky Sauce

These gluten-free Asian-inspired chicken meatballs are tender and flavorful with a delicious crunch from water chestnuts. The meatballs are coated in a savory-sweet sauce with a subtle tang and just the right amount of heat. They’re easy to serve as an appetizer or turn into a simple weeknight meal with rice and vegetables.

They’re also egg-free, making this an excellent option when you need a meatball recipe without eggs.

Why You’ll Love These Gluten-Free Asian Chicken Meatballs

• Tender with a crunchy texture: Water chestnuts add texture without making the meatballs heavy.
• Egg-free: No eggs are needed to hold these chicken meatballs together.
• Takeout-inspired flavor: Ginger, garlic, sesame oil, tamari and the tangy sauce give them that familiar Asian-inspired flavor.
• Easy appetizer or meal: Serve them with toothpicks for entertaining or over rice for dinner.
• Naturally gluten-free: Made with gluten-free tamari instead of regular soy sauce.

Key Ingredients and Swaps

Ground chicken: Lean ground chicken keeps the meatballs light while still giving them enough moisture and flavor.

Water chestnuts: These are what give the meatballs their distinctive crunchy texture. Drain them well and pulse them just enough to break them into small pieces.

Tamari: Use gluten-free tamari for a savory, umami-rich flavor. You can substitute gluten-free soy sauce if preferred.

Fresh ginger and garlic: These add the main savory aromatics to both the meatballs and sauce. Fresh ginger gives the best flavor here.

Sesame oil: A small amount adds a distinctive nutty flavor without overpowering the chicken.

Tapioca starch: This thickens the sauce and gives it a glossy coating.

Maple syrup or honey: Either works to balance the acidity of the apple cider vinegar and the heat from the sriracha.

Sriracha: Optional. Leave it out for a mild sauce or increase it if you like more heat.

Gluten-Free Reminder: Make sure all packaged ingredients you use are labeled gluten-free or verified by the manufacturer.

Tips for Making the Best Asian Chicken Meatballs

Don’t over-process the mixture. Pulse just until the ingredients come together. Over-processing can make the chicken mixture too smooth and affect the texture.

Drain the water chestnuts well. Excess liquid can make the mixture softer and more difficult to shape.

Check the meatballs for doneness. Ground chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F in the center.

Want more heat? Add additional gluten-free sriracha to the sauce rather than changing the meatball mixture.

How to Serve Gluten-Free Asian Meatballs

These make an easy gluten-free appetizer. Arrange the sauced meatballs on a platter with toothpicks and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

For a meal, serve them over:

• Simple rice with parsley or gluten-free rice noodles
• 15 Minute Gluten Free Schezwan Noodles
• Add them to Low-Carb Bok Choy Soup
• Hearty Cabbage with Collard Greens

For another takeout-inspired dinner, you could serve them alongside your Monday Night Spicy Soba Noodles or Gluten-Free Sticky Garlic Noodles.

Storing and Reheating

Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also reheat them in the microwave in short intervals until heated through.

The cooked meatballs can also be frozen. For best results, freeze them with the sauce in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these Asian chicken meatballs ahead of time?

Yes. Bake the meatballs ahead of time and refrigerate them until you’re ready to make the sauce and serve. This makes them particularly convenient for entertaining.

Can I use ground turkey or pork instead of chicken?

Yes. Ground turkey or ground pork can be substituted for the ground chicken. Choose ground turkey with enough fat to keep the meatballs tender.

Can I make these meatballs without the sriracha?

Absolutely. The sriracha is optional. Leave it out for a mild, family-friendly sauce.

Hi, I’m Kristina — I’ve been developing and testing gluten-free recipes in my own kitchen since 2012, with help from my very honest family.

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