These BBQ Chicken Meatballs are one of my favorite easy party appetizers, but they also make a delicious dinner when served with a couple veggie sides!

(This recipe for BBQ Chicken Meatballs was originally published in September 2010, but was updated with new photos and content in 2019).

If you’re anything like me, when it comes to throwing parties, you get WAY too ambitious and end up ridiculously stressed for no reason. It’s exhausting. So, how about instead of choosing five overly complicated and impressive dishes, you make five super easy and impressive dishes? Then you can actually enjoy having people over.

Lucky for you (and me), I have a super easy party appetizer to share with you today. These BBQ chicken meatballs only require one bowl and one skillet and can be made in under 30 minutes. While they’re perfect for sticking toothpicks in and serving at parties, they also make a delicious dinner with a nice big salad or a couple of veggie sides.

Whenever you serve the, one thing is for sure… These BBQ chicken meatballs will be a hit!

BBQ Chicken Meatballs Recipe

Though I made a couple simple changes, this recipe for barbeque chicken meatballs was originally spotted on the Epicurious website. I was initially looking for a delicious, one-bite appetizer for a football watching gathering, but something other than the usual chicken wings and potato skins type football food.

Of course, I had to test the meatballs out first and made them for dinner one night. That’s when I realized how ridiculously easy and incredibly delicious they are! Bonus points for the fact that if you make them for dinner, you don’t have to share them with a whole party full of people!

What makes these BBQ chicken meatballs a little bit special is the addition of applesauce. That adds a little bit of sweet in addition to the heat from the chili powder and BBQ sauce (depending on what kind you use… I like to use a Sweet and Spicy variety from Sweet Baby Ray).

The applesauce also adds a bit of extra moistness into the meatballs. If you’re worried about chicken meatballs being dry, you certainly don’t need to be!

Want to see how easy they are to make? All you have to do is combine the ground chicken, panko, egg, applesauce, onion, chili powder, salt, and paprika in a big mixing bowl.

Mix all the ingredients together until well combined (I use my hands… but take my rings and watch off first!) and form into golf ball sized balls.

Pour olive oil into a large skillet over medium heat and add in the meatballs.

Brown them on all sides until they’re cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.

Then add the barbecue sauce to the skillet and continue cooking until the sauce has reduced and sticks to the meatballs, about 1 minute.

Stare at the beauty of the BBQ chicken meatballs for roughly 5 minutes before inhaling. Or serving to your guests who are patiently waiting and wondering why you’re standing in the kitchen staring at a plate full of meatballs.

I definitely recommend making these for any gathering you’re having as they will add no additional stress to your life! They’re also great for bringing to parties. I think two important things to keep in mind when making an appetizer for a gathering at someone else’s house are 1) make something that transports well and 2) make something that can be eaten in a clean way. These meatballs definitely fit the bill.

And I’m about 110% sure if you make these BBQ chicken meatballs for a party, your friends will love you ten times more than they already do. Make them for your husband or boyfriend’s football watching buddies and they’ll love you, too. Not that they already don’t.

When I made them for an entree, I served them with a side of roasted broccoli and green beans for a nice light and healthy dinner. And then proceeded to eat way too many of them.

But I didn’t feel too bad because they’re made with chicken and are fairly light!

What’s your favorite appetizer to serve at parties?

If you’re looking for more delicious chicken meatball recipes, check out my Buffalo Chicken Meatballs and my Garlic Habanero Chicken Meatballs. I’m also really excited about these Chicken Piccata Meatballs from Ways to My Heart!