• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Snacking in Sneakers
  • Home
  • About + Contact
    • About
    • Contact
    • Disclosure and Privacy Policy
  • Recipes
  • Running + Triathlon
    • Free Training Plans
    • Running
    • Triathlon
    • Race Reviews
    • Fitness Tips & Workouts
  • Wellness + Travel
    • Nutrition
    • Health + Wellness Tips
    • Travel
  • Shop
    • Journey to Healthy Eating: 28 Day Nutrition Challenge
    • Printable Fitness Planner
    • Triathlon Art – Set of 3 Digital Prints
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About Chrissy
  • Recipe Box
  • Wellness + Travel
  • Fitness, Run & Tri
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Entree

    Chicken Apple Meatballs

    November 15, 2022 by Chrissy Carroll 12 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These chicken apple meatballs are easy, delicious, and versatile! Make ‘em as an entrée or create mini meatballs for appetizers. You’ll love this simple, inexpensive recipe.

    Note: This post was first published in 2016 and has been updated in 2022.

    Chicken apple meatballs on a white plate.

    Ingredients

    Here’s a photo of everything you’ll need to make these meatballs, along with some selected ingredient notes:

    Ground chicken, apple, oil, onion, egg, garlic, and breadcrumbs.
    • Ground chicken – Ground meat, including ground chicken, is cost-effective and versatile. When it comes to ground chicken, it’s important to find the right recipes (like this one!) and cook to the right temperature to ensure the dish has the right texture without becoming dry.
    • Apples – Any variety that is relatively crisp will work well in here! Crisp apples tend to hold their shape a bit better upon grating or processing. I’m partial to Honeycrisp, Granny smith, Braeburn, Pink Lady, Spencer, or Zestar.
    • Seasoned breadcrumbs – These add a nice texture and flavor. If you don’t have them on hand, you can use plain breadcrumbs and add your own seasonings (salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning are always nice). Or, you can use rolled oats instead of breadcrumbs if you prefer.

    Instructions

    You’ll find the full recipe amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of the page, but here’s a helpful overview with photos.

    Start by preheating the oven, and grating your apple. You can do this with a hand grater, but I find that it’s much easier to toss chunks of peeled apple into a small food processor bowl, and pulse it a few times. So simple!

    Grated apple in a food processor bowl.

    Set that aside for now, and get out a skillet. Heat the olive oil in the skillet, then add the onion. Cook for about 10 minutes over low heat until the onion starts to soften.

    While it takes some extra time to do this, I don’t recommend skipping this step.  When you cook the onions on the stovetop first, they get that lovely, caramelized flavor.  It adds depth to the meatballs and pairs well with the apple.

    Onions sauteeing in a pan.

    Add the garlic to the onion mixture and cook for another minute or two.

    Now mix all the ingredients together: the cooked onion and garlic, grated apple, ground chicken, egg and breadcrumbs.

    Meatball ingredients mixed together in a bowl.

    Use your hands to thoroughly mix everything and roll into meatballs.

    Uncooked meatball on a baking sheet.

    Pop ‘em on a baking sheet, cook for about 25 minutes, and you’re done!

    Cooked meatballs on a baking sheet.

    Recipe FAQ

    Here are some common questions that may come up as you prepare this recipe:

    How do you know when chicken meatballs are done?

    Chicken meatballs are done when they’ve reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. You can accurately test for this with a meat thermometer.

    Can you freeze chicken meatballs?

    Yes. After cooking, freeze in an airtight container. You can remove a few meatballs as desired and reheat in the microwave until warm.

    Can you make apple chicken meatballs in the air fryer?

    Yes. Instead of cooking in the oven, cook at 375 degrees F in the air fryer for about 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Be sure to check the internal temperature to ensure it has reached 165 degrees. If it hasn’t, return to the air fryer for another few minutes.

    Serving Suggestions

    You can always eat these chicken apple meatballs alone as the protein portion of a meal. For example, I love these topped with lower-sugar homemade cranberry sauce, served alongside some roasted broccoli (easy to make in the oven at the same time the meatballs are cooking!) and fresh bread.

    You can also experiment with different ways to use them in a combination dish, like:

    • Place the meatballs on top of salad greens, along with some sliced apples, dried cranberries, and nuts. Top with vinaigrette.
    • Sauté some apple, garlic, and spinach, then toss with cooked pasta, olive oil, and a little parmesan. Add the meatballs.
    • Pan fry potatoes and greens, then add the meatballs on top of your dish.
    • Serve them mixed into butternut squash and pumpkin pasta.

    Lots of possibilities!

    A woman's hand holding a toothpick with a chicken apple meatball, being dipped into cranberry sauce.

    More Ground Chicken Recipes

    Looking for other ways to use ground chicken? Try one of these recipes:

    • Cranberry chicken meatloaf
    • Chicken parm stuffed peppers
    • Ground chicken chili
    • Easy chicken burgers

    I hope you enjoy these apple and chicken meatballs! If you get a chance to try ‘em, feel free to leave a recipe rating or comment below.

    Chicken apple meatballs on a white plate next to a small bowl of cranberry sauce and a container of toothpicks.

    Chicken Apple Meatballs

    Snacking in Sneakers
    These chicken apple meatballs are a healthy and delicious dish made with less than 10 ingredients!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 20 meatballs
    Calories 296 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 medium apple, peeled
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • ½ medium onion, diced
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 lb ground chicken
    • 1 large egg
    • ½ cup seasoned breadcrumbs

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Set aside a baking sheet.
    • Add chunks of the peeled apple to the small bowl of a food processor and pulse several times to grate (or alternatively, grate by hand). Set aside for now.
    • In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and reduce heat to low. Cook over low heat until they are tender and lightly golden, about 10-15 minutes.
    • Add garlic to the pan with the onions and cook for another minute. Remove from heat.
    • In a large bowl, combine the onion/garlic mixture, grated apple, ground chicken, egg, and breadcrumbs. Shape into 20 meatballs and place on the baking sheet.
    • Cook at 375 degrees F for about 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F.

    Notes

    This recipe makes approximately 20 meatballs, and a serving would be considered 4-5 meatballs. For the purposes of the nutrition analysis below, we’ve assumed 5 meatballs.
    Nutrition Analysis (approximate per 5 meatballs): 296 calories, 15 g fat, 4 g sat fat, 300 mg sodium, 17.5 g carbohydrate, 1.5 g fiber, 5.5 g sugar, 24 g protein, Vitamin D: 1%, Calcium: 4%, Iron: 11%, Potassium: 15%

    Nutrition

    Calories: 296kcal
    Keyword chicken apple meatballs
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Share with me:  What’s your favorite way to use ground chicken? If you tried this recipe, what did you think?

    Feel free to pin this post to share with others!

    Chicken apple meatballs on a white platter with cranberry sauce in a bowl in the center.
    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll
    Chrissy Carroll is a Registered Dietitian and USAT Level I Triathlon Coach. She specializes in sharing nutrition and fitness tips, as well as recipes, for runners, triathletes, and active women.Chrissy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, a Masters Degree in Public Health, and is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer.
    Chrissy Carroll
    Latest posts by Chrissy Carroll (see all)
    • Savory Sweetpotato Ricotta Breakfast Bowls - June 16, 2025
    • Peanut Butter Honey Cheerios Bars - June 13, 2025
    • Healthy Peach Blueberry Crisp - June 13, 2025

    More Entree

    • Two sweeptoato fish cakes on a plate next to a salad and a fork.
      Sweetpotato Fish Cakes
    • An overhead shot of a serving bowl of Italian quinoa salad next to a napkin and wooden serving spoon.
      Italian Quinoa Salad
    • A piece of roasted salmon with watermelon salsa on top.
      Roasted Salmon with Watermelon Salsa
    • A beef burger topped with mashed avocado and mango salsa on a plate.
      Beef Burgers with Mango Salsa
    254 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Let’s connect!

    Instagram
    Facebook
    Pinterest
    Twitter

    Looking for something?

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. ACKTIVE LIFE

      December 15, 2016 at 9:37 am

      These look SO GOOD and I love that you paired them with a cranberry sauce! DELISH!

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        December 16, 2016 at 11:28 am

        Thank you!! They really are very tasty.

        Reply
    2. Carmy

      December 15, 2016 at 10:56 am

      How yummy! I haven’t made meatballs with ground chicken before! I need to give it a go 🙂

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        December 16, 2016 at 11:29 am

        Yes, definitely give it a try! I love how versatile ground chicken is.

        Reply
    3. Cassandra @ Powered By BLING

      December 15, 2016 at 11:23 am

      This is a great simple meatball recipe! I love chicken apple sausage so I bet these are just as good. I like that you used the apple to give the ground chicken moisture.

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        December 16, 2016 at 11:29 am

        Yes! If you like the chicken sausages, I think you’ll love these. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona

      December 15, 2016 at 12:07 pm

      These look like they’re quick and easy to make as well as being delicious. I love the idea of serving them with cranberry sauce.

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        December 16, 2016 at 11:30 am

        I’m all about the cranberry sauce these days, haha. I’ve been using it on everything!

        Reply
    5. Liz @ I Heart Vegetables

      December 15, 2016 at 7:56 pm

      My husband would love these! And they look easy enough for me to make 🙂

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        December 16, 2016 at 11:31 am

        Yep, they’re super simple! I hope you guys enjoy them.

        Reply
    6. abbey sharp

      December 15, 2016 at 10:36 pm

      OMG YUM! I love trying different variations of meatballs, so delish

      Reply
      • Chrissy Carroll

        December 16, 2016 at 11:31 am

        Thanks Abbey! Me too, I’m all about different kinds of meatballs – especially this time of year with holiday parties.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Snacking in Sneakers! That's me, Chrissy, and I'm here to share all my favorite fitness, food, & wellness stories & tips. I'm a dietitian, personal trainer, runner, triathlon coach, foodie, not-so-extreme couponer, and all around fun lovin' gal.

    More about me →

    Latest

    • A spoon drizzling honey on ricotta in a sweetpotato breakfast bowl.
      Savory Sweetpotato Ricotta Breakfast Bowls
    • A woman's hand holding a peanut butter honey cheerio bar.
      Peanut Butter Honey Cheerios Bars
    • A cast iron skillet with peach blueberry crisp and a few scoops of ice cream.
      Healthy Peach Blueberry Crisp
    • A bowl of sweetpotato blueberry crisp topped with oat milk ice cream.
      Sweetpotato Blueberry Crisp

    Let’s Connect!

    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Disclosure and Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Snacking in Sneakers

    254 shares
    • 8

    Want smoothie recipes to fuel your fitness?

    Sign up for our email list and access a free e-book with 10 healthy smoothie recipes + tips on creating your own!

    Invalid email address
    Thanks for subscribing! Check your email for your smoothie e-book.