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    Home » Chicken Recipes

    Mar 25, 2014 · Modified: Feb 9, 2023 by Sues · This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads · View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer · 11 Comments

    Jalapeño Lime Chicken Meatballs with Feta Dipping Sauce

    Jalapeno Lime Chicken Meatballs with Whipped Feta.jpg

    Sometimes I have a bunch to say before I jump into my recipe. Sometimes it flows naturally and is related to my recipe and some days it's just me blabbering on about something I want to talk about. But I've legit been staring at this recipe for days and all I can think of to talk about is meatballs. Chicken meatballs. I think lack of sleep accounts of lack of creativity and I'm just going to go with that. And talk about chicken meatballs. So. I’ve been on a major chicken meatball kick these days. I can make them with my eyes shut (probably not a great idea when handling raw chicken, but you know) and can keep them healthy (bake them!) or indulge a bit (frying!). But even frying isn't that bad because it's just in a little bit of olive oil and I mean, it's white meat chicken and a little olive oil never hurt nobody.

    Also? Jalapeños. Oh, and feta dipping sauce, too. Though sauce is kind of strange word to use because it's really just a dip, but I used it more as a sauce. And again, I'm going with it. You know this already, but meatballs are one of the most versatile foods on Earth. I made some with curry sauce the other night and they were a little bite of spicy heaven. This jalapeño lime version was also packed with spicy flavor, cooked to perfection and way tastier than you ever expect chicken to be. Because let's face it; chicken can be boring. Meatballs are anything but.

    Jalapeño Lime Chicken Meatballs with Whipped Feta Dipping Sauce (makes about 24 mini meatballs):
    Print this recipe!

    • 1 lb. ground chicken
    • 2 t chopped jalapeño
    • ¼ C bread crumbs
    • 1 egg, lightly beaten
    • 1 T extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 T freshly squeezed lime juice
    • 1 t lime zest
    • 1 T parsley, chopped
    • 2 T olive oil
    • 1 batch whipped feta dipping sauce (see below)

    Jalapeno Lime Chicken Meatballs with Whipped Feta Meatball Ingredients.jpg

    Meatballs are also one of the easiest meals to make. Take these for example. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, chopped jalapeños, bread crumbs, egg, extra-virgin olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, and parsley and mix together until just combined.

    Form 1-inch balls with the mixture.

    Jalapeno Lime Chicken Meatballs with Whipped Feta Meatballs Formed.jpg

    Heat 2 T olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.

    Jalapeno Lime Chicken Meatballs with Whipped Feta Oil.jpg

    Place meatballs in pan and let cook for a few minutes on each side until cooked through, about 8 minutes total.

    Jalapeno Lime Chicken Meatballs with Whipped Feta Frying.jpg

    Sizzle, sizzle. I know I will still bake meatballs all the time, but is there anything quite like a meatball frying? Nope.

    Jalapeno Lime Chicken Meatballs with Whipped Feta Frying 2.jpg

    Remove meatballs from pan and move to a separate plate or dish; keep warm.

    Jalapeno Lime Chicken Meatballs with Whipped Feta Fried.jpg

    And because meatballs are made infinitely times better with a little dipping sauce, I decided to whip some feta up and into a dip. This dip is also packed with flavor, but is also meant to bring a little cooling aspect to the meatballs. Not that they were overly spicy... But the cool saltiness of this dip definitely add a welcome contrast. Obviously I couldn't resist adding in some red pepper flakes. Sorry, guys.

    Whipped Feta Dipping Sauce:
    Print this recipe!

    • 8 oz. Feta
    • 1 T extra-virgin olive oil
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 1 t mint
    • 1 T lime
    • Red Pepper Flakes

    Jalapeno Lime Chicken Meatballs with Whipped Feta Dip Ingredients.jpg

    All you gotta do is add everything to your blender or Vitamix. All of these ingredients.

    Jalapeno Lime Chicken Meatballs with Whipped Feta Dip Blending.jpg

    And blend away until smooth. Spoon whipped mixture into a dish and serve alongside the meatballs.

    Jalapeno Lime Chicken Meatballs with Whipped Feta Dip 1.jpg

    You can dip and pop. But if you're sharing these with someone, you might find that you are both so obsessed with the whipped feta that you try to dip at the same time. Then you get that whole awkward hand in the popcorn moment that nobody knows how to deal with. Don't say I didn't warn you.

    Jalapeno Lime Chicken Meatballs with Whipped Feta 4.jpg

    I hope you won't think I'm overly confident when I say these meatballs didn't actually need a dipping sauce. They were still super moist and tender and stood up all on their own. But cheese? It makes everything better and you know it.

    Jalapeno Lime Chicken Meatballs with Whipped Feta 8.jpg

    These are the kind of ideal party food, too. Guests can grab and eat. I do, however, recommend putting a little spoon into the whipped feta dip so guests aren't fighting. Come to think of it, you might want to make a few batches of these meatballs, too.

    Jalapeno Lime Chicken Meatballs with Whipped Feta 5.jpg

    And then please bring some over to me because clearly I'm too tired to put together a proper sentence these days and should probably stay out of the kitchen. Especially if I'm planning on having my eyes closed.

    Jalapeno Lime Chicken Meatballs with Whipped Feta 2.jpg

    Which really could be a whole new idea for the next big cooking show. Cooking with your eyes closed. Maybe stay away from sharp knives. Unless that adds to the entertainment value?

    Jalapeno Lime Chicken Meatballs with Whipped Feta 3.jpg

    I'm going to go ahead and call this a healthy dinner. It might be nice if you added a grain like quinoa, too. Of maybe freekeh. That's my new fun grain of choice. Dinner is served. You got it on the table in no time and now you can go to bed. OK, I think I'm just talking to myself now. And off I go 🙂

    What's your favorite way to prepare meatballs?

    [Sues]

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says

      March 26, 2014 at 12:23 am

      Spicy chicken meatballs...yes please. And that feta sauce! I can think of a whole bunch of foods I'd like to slather in that. We usually serve meatballs in the traditional pot of sauce simmering on the stove, but I'm going to have to step outside the box for these babies!

    2. Justine says

      March 26, 2014 at 8:45 am

      These are gorge meatballs! Also the whipped feta sauce actually looks whipped which I love!!!

    3. Erica says

      March 26, 2014 at 11:24 am

      gahhhh! I love making meatballs. One of the best dinners! I'm putting these on my menu for next week!

    4. Dreena Tischler says

      March 26, 2014 at 4:45 pm

      This sounds fantastic. It's seems like your "print this" function is not working though.

      This will be going out in my bento boxes this week! THanks.

    5. Megan says

      March 26, 2014 at 4:54 pm

      I am loving this whole dish -- meatballs and sauce! It sounds amazing.

    6. Juliana says

      March 27, 2014 at 12:00 am

      These chicken meatballs look great...like the feta sauce as well...yum!
      Thanks for the recipe...hope you are enjoying your week 😀

    7. Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says

      March 27, 2014 at 12:47 pm

      I always forget about using ground chicken in recipes and I'm glad you reminded me. The feta dipping sauce sounds sublime!

    8. Shannon says

      March 27, 2014 at 2:51 pm

      just awesome- i'm sure the meatballs are great, but really, i'm in it for the dipping sauce 🙂

    9. Jen@Twenty-Something&Starving says

      March 27, 2014 at 3:41 pm

      Oh yum!! These both sound amazing!! I just wanna pop em both in a pita with some spinach and go to town!

    10. Carol at Wild Goose Tea says

      March 30, 2014 at 6:28 pm

      I had a bacon jalapeno cheese omelet yesterday. So jalapenos are on my yum memory list. I am a woman of a 'certain' age and I have just started appreciating jalapenos. I love it, when my taste buds take on a new flavor. Particularly if it is one I have avoided for years. Who would have thought I would ever eat beets. Sooooo I have been retasting the few items that have been on my no no list. So far liver is still on that list. I like to bake my meatballs----even easier as far as I am concerned. This is a most excellent and appealing appetizer. Good Job.

    11. sarah k @ the pajama chef says

      April 14, 2014 at 7:45 pm

      oh wow- what great flavors!!

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