Discover a new way to serve meatballs, sans spaghetti. These Asian-inspired chicken meatballs, simmered in a slow cooker with our ginger-sesame braising sauce, are great with rice or in lettuce wraps.
Prep Time
25 minutes
Cook Time
145 minutes
Servings
10
Ingredients
2 eggs
3/4 cup (1 1/2 oz./45 g) panko
2 tsp. peeled and grated fresh ginger
1/2 cup (1 1/2 oz./45 g) finely chopped green onions, white and
light green portions
1 Tbs. minced garlic
2 tsp. kosher salt
3 lb. (1.5 kg) ground chicken thighs
3 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 lb. (500 g) shiitake mushrooms, halved
1 jar ginger-sesame braising sauce
Steamed white rice for serving
Steamed snow peas for serving
1/2 cup (1 1/2 oz./45 g) thinly sliced green onions, white and
light green portions
Toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the eggs, panko, ginger, chopped green onions, garlic and salt. Add the ground chicken and stir well. Form into meatballs, using 1 Tbs. of the meat mixture for each one.
In the stovetop-safe insert of a slow cooker over medium-high heat, warm 1 Tbs. of the oil. Sear one-third of the meatballs, turning occasionally, until well browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Brown the remaining meatballs in 2 batches, using 1 Tbs. oil for each batch. Add the mushrooms to the insert and cook, stirring, until browned.
Add the meatballs and the braising sauce to the mushrooms in the insert and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Transfer the insert to the slow-cooker base. Cover and cook on high according to the manufacturer’s instructions for 2 hours, stirring once halfway through.
Serve the meatballs over rice and snow peas. Garnish with the sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serves 10.
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Susaninva from
An all time favoriteI have made this for my family and taken it to work functions. LOVED by all. Since the recommended braising sauce is no longer available, will the new sesame chicken braising sauce be a substitute?
Date published: 2020-09-05
Rated 5 out of
5 by
IvankaL from
Amazing for dinner and partiesI’ve made this recipe first time for my husband birthday celebration, for approx 40 of our friends, and it was a huge hit. Since then, it is my husband’s favorite meal. It never disappoints. Always cames out great. From now on, I always stack up my pantry with the ginger braising sauce so I’ll have it ready to go any time. And I have to say, anyone who tried this at our house always asks for the recipe.
Date published: 2017-12-27
Rated 4 out of
5 by
Syrah76 from
Asian Twist MeatballsThis was my first time making meatballs - I don't really like squishing raw meat between my fingers. However it was well work the squish. Once I was able to find ground chicken thigh meat, the recipe came together nicely.
The taste, texture, and presentation were amazing. The sauce was mouth watering. The snow peas and green onion garnish were perfect to balance out the meet. It also paired well with a smooth Cabernet.
The only down side is that the prep work takes about 45-60 minutes, and then it needs 2 hours in the crock pot. Usually I need to leave crock pot meals for much longer while I'm at work...so this is more of a weekend treat. That said it holds over well for left overs if you just want to reheat and cook up some fresh snow peas (those don't reheat as well).
Tip: Make sure the oil is hot enough when you start cooking as the meatballs initially seem wetter than beef or pork and do not hold their shape well unless they start to cook as soon as they hit the oil in the pan.
Date published: 2014-06-23
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Wiscalgal from
Loved this recipe!Easy to do, very flavorful but not overwhelming. I would like to try it with ground turkey..
Date published: 2014-05-11
Rated 5 out of
5 by
deb929 from
Asian TwistMade these for dinner and had plenty for leftovers and freezer. Ginger flavor in the meatballs and sauce definitely a twist on your usual meatballs and Asian meal. A little work to make the meatballs, but worth it!
