Description

These Firecracker Chicken Meatballs with Cilantro Coconut Pineapple Rice are a flavorful and spicy dish that brings a tropical twist to your dinner table. The juicy chicken meatballs are infused with a perfect balance of heat and sweetness, paired with a creamy coconut rice and refreshing pineapple. A one-pan recipe that’s quick, easy, and ideal for meal prepping, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your culinary rotation!

Ingredients

For the Firecracker Chicken Meatballs:

1 pound ground chicken

1 egg

½ cup breadcrumbs

¼ cup finely chopped onion

¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced

1 tablespoon brown sugar

2 tablespoons hot sauce

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon olive oil, for cooking

For the Cilantro Coconut Pineapple Rice:

1 cup jasmine rice

1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk

1 cup pineapple chunks

½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Juice of 1 lime

Salt, to taste

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Instructions

Prepare the Meatballs:
- In a large bowl, mix together ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, brown sugar, hot sauce, soy sauce, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Form the mixture into 1-2 inch meatballs.
Cook the Meatballs:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add meatballs in batches, cooking until browned on all sides and cooked through (about 8-10 minutes).
- Remove meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare the Rice:
- In the same skillet, pour in the coconut milk and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Add rice, pineapple chunks, and a pinch of salt, stirring to combine.
- Return the meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the rice mixture.
- Cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
Finish the Dish:
- Remove the skillet from heat.
- Stir in chopped cilantro and lime juice.
- Serve warm, garnished with additional cilantro if desired.

Notes

For a milder version, adjust the spice by reducing the jalapeño and cayenne pepper.

Substitute jasmine rice with brown rice or quinoa for a different texture.

Make it vegetarian by using a plant-based meat alternative or a vegetable-legume mix.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Fusion, Tropical