This recipe was originally posted on April 17, 2013. Updated with new photos and content on April 26, 2017.
Cashew Chicken Meatballs are seasoned and nutty baked chicken meatballs served with a side of homemade sweet and sour sauce. A fun twist on classic chicken meatballs, this dinner recipe is full of Asian flavor!
You can make so many fun and yummy recipe variations for meatballs like these Baked Chicken Meatballs with Garlic Dill Yogurt Sauce and these Brown Sugar-Glazed Turkey Meatballs. Serve them as appetizers or a meal!
This Is One Of My Favorite Chicken Meatball Flavors
Here, in this little corner of mine, you and I always discuss yummy things. Today, just like any other day, we’re going to discusssss… that’s right… yummy things.
Things like Cashew Chicken Meatballs.
I was typing a post – the one about my Salted Chocolate Caramel Popcorn – at the same time, I was also munching on cashews. I mean, I can’t just type and not snack on something. That has never happened.
The Best Homemade Sweet & Sour Sauce
And, as I was chomping away, I was reminded of cashew chicken.
One thing lead to another and, well, as you can see, I made us these outrageous cashew chicken meatballs with homemade Sweet & Sour Sauce. Which is also just as outrageously awesome as the meatballs. SO GOOD! Finger lickin’ good. Like, smack your lips good. You get it.
ENJOY!
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TOOLS AND INGREDIENTS USED IN THIS RECIPE
Cashew Chicken Meatballs
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 lb ground chicken
- ½ cup plain panko crumbs
- Salt and pepper , to taste
- 1 small onion , finely diced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/3 cup chopped cashews
- Zest of one small orange
- ½ cup cream cheese , room temperature
For the Sauce
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Place the flour in a shallow dish and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl combine ground chicken, panko crumbs, salt, pepper, onion, basil, parsley, cashews, orange, and cream cheese.
- Mix until everything is thoroughly combined.
- Heat the vegetable oil.
- Roll meat into 1 inch meatballs, place in flour, turn to lightly coat on all sides, and add into hot oil.
- Cook and turn for 2 minutes, or just until a little browned on all sides.
- Transfer meatballs and hot oil to a 9 x 13 baking dish.
- Bake for 18 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through.
- Prepare the sweet and sour sauce by combining all ingredients in a skillet.
- Bring to a boil; whisk frequently and continue to cook over medium-high heat for 4 minutes or until sauce is reduced by 1/2.
- Remove meatballs from oven.
- Pour prepared sauce over meatballs.
- Serve as is for a delicious starter or appetizer, OR serve over rice for a full meal.
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Slow Cooker
Freezer Friendly
Instant Pot
Gluten Free
Keto
Beef
I made these cashew meatballs tonight for dinner along with rice and broccoli and both my husband and I enjoyed it very much. The only change I made was use light cream cheese as that was what I had on hand. Thanks Katerina for a delicious dinner option.
I have a request or suggestion ;-). I know salt and pepper are to the taste of each individual but I really very much appreciate it when there is an amount listed by the cook for both. Sometimes if I haven’t made a dish before, for example, I find it most helpful to see what the cook used as it’s a starting point vs. having to guess if not sure. Just a thought….
THESe were pretty good but I wasn’t sure how much salt to add and ended up under-salting. I did forget to make the sauce because I got distracted cleaning up the kitchen. I would like to add soy sauce next time! Loved the basil flavor of these
These look so appetizing!! Need to try them 🙂
This looks wonderful! I never thought about adding cream cheese to meatballs. I bet it tastes amazing!
Cashew chicken is one of my favorite items to order from Chinese restaurants – I bet these meatballs are delicious!
What a delicious meatball recipe! I need to try these!
YUM! This just looks and sounds incredible! I can imagine these would be a big hit in my home!
I know my family would love these meatballs. They sound delicious!
I have a graduation party coming up and these would make a great appetizer for our spread! Thanks!!
Wow, I am meatball obsessed and these are making me drool. 🙂
These look SO yummy! Headed over the check out the recipe!
You have just made my son’s day Kate – he will LOVE these! 🙂
YAAAAAY! I hope he loves ’em!! They’re soooo good! 🙂
These sound soooo appetizing. Love!
Oh, hopping over to the recipe… I may have licked my screen just now.
Beautiful meatballs!
These looks super delicious, what a great meatball recipe!
These sound divine Kate! Yet another thing to add on my to do list. Looks like I will be busy this weekend. Cannot wait! 🙂
Oh, my! These look fantastic. I will pop over to Meagan’s blog to check out the recipe…but first, I must hunt down your popcorn…mmmmmm….
Loooove cashews…and, cashew buttah! (Visit my blog for some especially tasty recipes using cashew butter, Kate. I’ll get you hooked in no time.) And, I adore Cashew Chicken. Now, in meatball form, with your recipe for Cashew Chicken Meatballs? NOM! Why didn’t I think of that? Well, that’s why I love Diethood. I never know what genius recipe you devise next! Cocktail parties shall never be the same, girlfriend. 😉 xo
I LOVE your support, Stacy! THANK YOU!!! xoxo
As soon as my little ones fall asleep, I am going to hop over to your place and see your recipes for cashew buttah! 🙂
Cashew chicken? Such a fab idea!
Incorporating the cashews into the meatballs is a great way of enjoying both the chicken and the cashews in one bite … I’ll have to check out your sweet and sour sauce as well.
What delicious looking meatballs, and a wonderful guest post for Meagan! Thanks for sharing such a great recipe!
These look really good and I bet very tasty with the cashews in them.
Kate: As soon as I opened my email and read the title, I got all excited. I love cashew nuts…And combined with chicken in a meatball is even better. Did you know that cashews (the fruit and its nut) is native from Brazil? The nut is attached to the fruit and use both in several dishes in Brazil.
These look SO good, Kate! What an awesome recipe!
Just checked…Looks so yummy! You always menage to make me drool hehe
Great pics too
Thanks so much for the guest post! Everyone including me are craving these for breakfast.
My absolute pleasure!! xo
Oh yea, definitely checking these out.
YUM!