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    Home » Recipes » Sumac Chicken Meatballs

    Published: Apr 30, 2020 by Alicia This post may contain affiliate links.

    Sumac Chicken Meatballs

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Sumac Chicken Meatballs

    These ground chicken meatballs are spiced with sumac, coriander, and cumin making them super flavorful! The spices make these meatballs more interesting than your average chicken meatballs, and they pair well with Trader Joe's Zhoug sauce for an extra kick.

    Chicken meatballs on a plate with couscous

    Meatball Meal Prep

    Meatballs of any kind are one of my favorite migraine friendly meals. They’re perfect for meal prepping since you can freeze them easily, having them on hand at any time you don’t feel up to cooking. I tend to stick with beef, buffalo, or chicken since it can be challenging to find ground turkey without some kind of “natural flavoring” added to it. Using chicken for these really allows the spices to shine. Normally I find chicken meatball recipes a little bit dry and flavorless, but these have a ton of really interesting flavors and are the perfect amount of firm on the outside and soft on the inside. 

    I love meatball meal prep because you can make a batch of these on a Sunday, freeze them, and then keep them on hand for really bad days. I recommend defrosting and re-heating in the oven (covered with foil at 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes) for best results, but the microwave works too. 

    Chicken meatballs being fried in a pan

    Sumac Chicken

    The key to this particular recipe is a spice called sumac, and it should be a staple in any Heal Your Headache kitchen. Before Europeans had access to lemons, sumac was used to impart a lemon like flavor to food. Sumac is bright red look and tart flavor make it perfect for adding to dishes where you can’t use citrus. It pairs really well with chicken since it adds a bit of brightness to it. Obviously lemon and chicken are classic flavors together, so it makes sense that sumac pairs beautifully as well.

    The spice is especially wonderful in hummus. You can find it in most Middle Eastern markets or on Amazon, as well as most grocery stores.

    Chicken meatballs with zhoug sauce on top

    What to Pair with Sumac Chicken Meatballs

    I love to serve these with arugula tossed in olive oil, salt and pepper along with some Trader Joe’s Zhoug sauce, which is a spicy mixture of peppers and cilantro. But some other options would be:

    • Pomegranate Cous Cous
    • Pasta Salad
    • Alongside Hummus and Pita
    • Or as the meatballs in this meal prep salad

    How to Make Sumac Chicken Gluten Free

    If you’re gluten free, I like to use these bread crumbs. They do contain guar gum and milk. If you’re sensitive or dairy free you could try this brand. Sometimes I just leave it out completely and the meatballs are still good, even if they don’t hold together as well. Chilling your meat for 30 minutes or so before forming the balls will help with that.

    You can find regular panko without any gums, just be sure to check your labels for other triggers!

    Sumac chicken on a white plate with spinach

    OTHER CHICKEN RECIPES

    Boursin Stuffed Chicken
    Creamy Rosemary Chicken
    Honey Garlic Chicken
    Simple Roasted Chicken
    Honey Chipotle Chicken Sandwich
    Chicken Sesame Stir Fry

    This post was updated on 4.30.2020 to include new images and more recipe tips. 

    Chicken meatballs on a plate with couscous

    Sumac Chicken Meatballs (gluten free option)

    These sumac chicken meatballs are so easy! They take under 30 minutes to make and freeze well so you can use them in lunches or dinners the rest of the week. Topped with Trader Joe's Zhoug sauce, it's the perfect weeknight meal.
    4.84 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 280kcal
    Author: Alicia

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb ground chicken
    • 1 garlic clove, peeled and chopped
    • 1 small shallot or ½ a large, peeled and chopped small
    • ½ teaspoon sumac
    • ½ teaspoon cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon coriander
    • 1 egg
    • ¼ cup panko
    • 2 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt and pepper
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place all your ingredients, except oil, in a large bowl and mix thoroughly with your hands until combined. Cover and chill if you have time. It will make forming the balls a little easier. 
    • Form the balls into roughly 2" pieces. In a large saute pan, add the olive oil and warm over medium heat. Add your meatballs, giving them enough room to sear properly. Sear on all sides, about 3 minutes total, just until browned but not cooked through. Transfer seared meatballs to a baking sheet.
    • Once all the meatballs have been seared, bake for about 10 minutes at 400 degrees till cooked through. 
    • Top with Trader Joe's Zhoug sauce for an extra kick. These would also be great with hummus or on top of a salad!

    Notes

    • For toasted sesame seeds - use a clean, small pan over medium heat and toast for 1-2 minutes. Careful, they can burn fast!
    • If you can't find ground chicken, ask your butcher. Ground chicken thighs or breast would work in this recipe. Thighs tend to be more flavorful, but both are good. 
    • For gluten free, use gluten free panko. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 138mg | Sodium: 112mg | Potassium: 626mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 59IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @thedizzycook or tag #thedizzycook!
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    About Alicia

    Alicia is a vestibular migraine advocate and the bestselling author of The Dizzy Cook: Managing Migraine with More Than 90 Comforting Recipes and Lifestyle Tips. Her articles and recipes have been featured by Healthline, Parade, mindbodygreen, Today, Good Morning Texas, the Vestibular Disorders Association, and the American Migraine Foundation. Read More

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Vickie says

      March 15, 2022 at 8:01 pm

      5 stars
      I didn't have panko, so I subbed with quick oats and added a little milk. Also just baked them and broiled for a couple minutes. They were delicious! Especially with the Zhoug sauce!

      Reply
      • Alicia says

        March 16, 2022 at 12:38 pm

        Thanks for sharing your edits, Vickie!

        Reply
    2. Jen says

      July 16, 2021 at 3:05 pm

      What would be a good sub for roasted sesame seeds? Tahini or sunflower seeds or flax seeds? I’m trying to make this recipe and forgot to get them. Thanks!

      Reply
    3. Lex Kenyon says

      September 07, 2019 at 4:32 am

      This looks like a great addition to my work lunch list. What does the sauce have in it as wondered if I could replicate it? Thank you

      Reply
      • Alicia says

        September 07, 2019 at 9:32 am

        You can definitely recreate it! Cookie and Kate has a great recipe here.

        Reply
        • Anonymous says

          March 07, 2020 at 12:45 pm

          5 stars
          Wonderful thanks- it is a spectacular sauce! So zingy 🙂

          Reply
    4. Karen Mizrach says

      April 18, 2019 at 7:31 am

      4 stars
      Loved these meatballs, even though I made a rookie mistake - in mixing all the ingredients together I included the oil! So, I browned without oil. Not quite as pretty , but very tasty. And I love them with the Zhoug Sauce. Thanks

      Reply
      • Alicia says

        April 18, 2019 at 12:40 pm

        I'm sorry about that Karen, I should have specified in the recipe! Thanks for letting me know so I can help someone else.

        Reply
        • Karen says

          April 18, 2019 at 3:23 pm

          No I just didn't read carefully! The old brain sometimes not as sharp these days. Your recipes are great and have provided me with purpose these last months. Thank you for being there for all of us.

          Reply
    5. Allison Dacey says

      October 11, 2018 at 9:33 am

      Thanks so much for the recipe. Your blog has been so helpful as I have just discovered Migraine Strong and everything is very overwhelming! I have some gluten free breadcrumbs by Glutino that only list sugar and cornmeal as ingredients. 🙂

      Reply
      • Alicia says

        October 13, 2018 at 1:38 pm

        You're welcome, Allison! I'm so glad to hear that. I haven't seen the glutino ones, I'll have to look for them!

        Reply
    6. Stefanie Winborne says

      October 01, 2018 at 3:33 pm

      Quick question, onions are not allowed, but shallots are?

      Reply
      • Alicia says

        October 01, 2018 at 9:57 pm

        Yes! I honestly don't know why except that I know shallots are more closely related with the things that are allowed - leeks, garlic, green onion, and chives.

        Reply

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    Meet the Cook! I’m Alicia, cookbook author and recipe developer. I was diagnosed with Chronic Vestibular Migraine in 2016 - a diagnosis that changed my life. I’ve gone from bedridden to extremely active by implementing migraine diet, incorporating key supplements, and making lifestyle changes. The Dizzy Cook is a collection of my delicious recipes that everyone will love, and tips for anyone that struggles with migraine attacks.

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    Meet the Cook! I’m Alicia, cookbook author and recipe developer. I was diagnosed with Chronic Vestibular Migraine in 2016 - a diagnosis that changed my life. I’ve gone from bedridden to extremely active by implementing migraine diet, incorporating key supplements, and making lifestyle changes. The Dizzy Cook is a collection of my delicious recipes that everyone will love, and tips for anyone that struggles with migraine attacks.

    About The Dizzy Cook

    Trending Recipes

    • Creamy Boursin Pasta
    • Beef Stew Recipe without Wine
    • Lazy Lasagna
    • No Tomato Chili (Texas-Style)
    • Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie
    • Air Fryer Flank Steak

    Get New Posts via Email

    Subscribe for new recipes, tips, and discounts.

    Healthy New Year Recipes

    • Stir Fry Without Soy Sauce
    • Beef Protein Bowl
    • Mediterranean Baked Halibut
    • Dutch Oven Pot Roast (Wine-Free)
    • Baked Chicken Kabobs
    • Chicken and Brown Rice Soup

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