Orange-Glazed Chicken Chorizo Meatballs
These flavorful chicken and chorizo meatballs are glazed with a sweet and spicy orange sauce, enhanced by mango and pomegranate for a delicious, crowd-pleasing appetizer or main dish.
Equipment
- 1 oven preheated to 375°F
- 1 Baking Pan 15x10 inches with greased rack
- 1 small saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 cup corn bread croutons crushed into fine crumbs
- 1 1/4 cups mild picante sauce divided
- 5 tablespoons thawed orange juice concentrate divided
- 6 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves divided
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 6 ounces fresh chorizo
- 1 1/4 cups orange marmalade
- 1/2 cup jalapeno pepper jelly
- 2/3 cup finely chopped peeled mango
- 2/3 cup pomegranate seeds divided, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 15x10-inch baking pan with a greased rack.
- Crush corn bread croutons into fine crumbs and combine with 1/2 cup picante sauce and 1 tablespoon orange juice concentrate. Let stand for 10 minutes.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, beaten egg, and salt.
- Crumble ground chicken and fresh chorizo into the crouton mixture and mix lightly but thoroughly.
- With wet hands, shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the greased rack in the baking pan.
- Bake meatballs until an internal thermometer reads 165°F, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine orange marmalade, jalapeno pepper jelly, remaining 3/4 cup picante sauce, and remaining 4 tablespoons orange juice concentrate.
- Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Stir in chopped mango, 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, and 1/3 cup pomegranate seeds if desired.
- Pour the sauce over the baked meatballs and garnish with remaining cilantro and pomegranate seeds if desired before serving.
Notes
- Use wet hands to prevent sticking when shaping meatballs.
- Optional pomegranate seeds add a fresh, tart contrast.
- Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently to preserve glaze texture.