Chicken and Chorizo Meatballs, Just In Time for Gameday

Recipe couresy of Chef Martita Jara

Food Processor

Serves: 3-4

Prep Time: 20-30 minutes

Cook Time: 25-30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Chicken Chorizo Meatball Ingredients:
1 lbs. ground chicken
1/2 lbs. ground meaty chorizo
1 1/2 cups sweet onion, diced
1/2 cups Anaheim pepper, diced
1 tsp. garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cups flat leaf parsley
1 tbsp. fresh thyme, chopped
2 eggs, whisked
1 cups breadcrumbs
3 tbsp water
Extra virgin olive oil
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground pepper

Steps for the chicken chorizo meatballs:
Preheat oven 350° F

1. Place a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. When the oil is hot add diced onions, Anaheim peppers, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Stir to combine and allow to cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Next add garlic, sauté 2 minutes, then pour mixture into a small bowl to cool and set aside. Wipe pan down with a paper towel and set aside to use again.

2. Add to a food processor, breadcrumbs, parsley, thyme and the onion garlic mixture. Pulse about 5 times and pour into a mixing bowl. Add the ground chicken, chorizo, eggs, water, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper With clean hands combine the ingredients well.

TIP: Water keeps the meatball moist.

TIP: Make and flatten one meatball and brown in a skillet. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed before making all the meatballs that will go in the oven.

3. Place wiped down onion skillet over medium high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil.

4. Using a small ice cream scoop, make even size meatballs. The mixture makes 30-34 balls. Place about 8 balls in hot pan with oil, browning them about 1 minute per side. Transfer them to an aluminum lined baking sheet, continue to do this until all the balls are browned. Transfer meatballs to preheated oven for 15 minutes to finish cooking.

BBQ Sauce Ingredients:
1 jar chipotle cooking sauce
1/3 cups ketchup
1/3 cups light agave nectar
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground pepper

Steps for the BBQ Sauce:
Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Whisk to combine and place over medium low heat. Allow to simmer 25 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Assembly Ingredients:
Chicken and chorizo meatballs
BBQ sauce

Assembly Steps:
Pour some of the BBQ sauce onto the serving dish and place the meatballs on top. Pour some more BBQ sauce over the meatballs and serve with cocktail sticks.

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