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    Home » Recipes » Chicken

    Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Meatballs

    Published: Jul 18, 2022 by Amy Nash · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

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    Looking for a delicious and easy dinner idea? These juicy air fryer lemon chicken meatballs are perfect for you! With only a few simple ingredients, these meatballs are saucy, flavorful, and perfect for a quick and easy meal.

    Air fryer lemon chicken meatballs on a bed of orzo pasta.

    The air fryer is a handy kitchen appliance that can be used to cook a variety of foods, including meatballs. One of my favorite recipes to make in the air fryer is lemon chicken meatballs. These ground chicken meatballs are easy to make, with a deliciously punchy sauce that pairs perfectly with pasta, potatoes, or rice.

    Cooking up these air fryer lemon chicken meatballs after a busy day is a great way to meal prep or add a new dish to your rotation. Make them for the main meal, appetizer, or even a yummy snack!

    These easy chicken meatballs are light and fluffy on the inside, but crisp and caramelized on the outside with a hint of lemon and garlic throughout– all coated in a rich and nutty brown butter sauce. 

    If you're looking for an easy and delicious air fryer chicken meatball recipe, look no further! These lemon chicken meatballs are flavorful and juicy, and they cook up quickly in the air fryer. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner!

    What You'll Need

    Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

    For the Chicken Meatballs 

    • Breadcrumbs - these give the meatballs structure and absorb extra moisture, so they don't become mushy.  
    • Lemons - we're using both lemon zest and juice in this recipe for lots of lemon flavor. 
    • Kosher salt 
    • Red pepper flakes 
    • Egg - this binds the meatballs together.  
    • Garlic clove
    • Ground chicken - I'm using ground chicken, but this recipe could also be made with another ground meat like ground turkey!
    • Olive oil 

    For the Lemon Brown Butter Sauce 

    • Butter - I'm using salted butter so if you use unsalted, make sure to add a small pinch of salt to the sauce. 
    • Garlic clove
    • Lemon
    • Grated parmesan cheese
    Ingredients for air fryer lemon chicken meatballs.

    How to Make Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Meatballs

    For the Chicken Meatballs 

    Prepare. Grease the basket of the air fryer with cooking spray or brush it with olive oil. Set aside. 

    In a large mixing bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, lemon zest, salt, and red pepper flakes. 

    Breadcrumbs in a mixing bowl.
    Seasoned breadcrumb mixture in a white mixing bowl.

    Next, add the beaten egg and grated garlic. Mix to combine. 

    Finally, add the chicken and very gently mix to combine– you don't want to compact the meat, or you'll end up with dense meatballs. 

    Assemble. Coat your hands with olive oil and scoop out golf ball-sized portions use a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop if needed. Roll them into smooth balls and place the uncooked meatballs in the air fryer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. 

    Chicken meatball mixture in a white mixing bowl.
    Uncooked chicken meatballs in an air fryer basket.

    Cook. Cook the meatballs at 375F for 12-14 minutes, or until the outside of the meatballs is golden brown and the inside registers 165F on an instant-read thermometer. 

    Finish. Coat the meatballs in the sauce (below) and sprinkle the tops of the meatballs with grated parmesan and flakey sea salt, if using. Enjoy immediately. 

    Partially cooked chicken meatballs in an air fryer basket.
    Cooked lemon chicken meatballs in an air fryer basket.

    For the Lemon Brown Butter Sauce 

    • Add the butter and garlic to a small saucepan set over medium heat. Allow the butter to melt and then cook for 3-4 minutes, or until it begins to foam on top. 
    • When the butter begins to foam, gently swirl the pan for 30-45 seconds, or until the butter turns golden brown. The foam should subside, and the butter will smell rich and nutty. 
    • Then, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Set aside until ready to use. 
    Lemon butter sauce for chicken meatballs.

    Tips for Success

    Here's how to make sure your Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Meatballs recipe turns out perfect!

    • Use a meat thermometer. Check the internal temperature of your homemade meatballs with a meat thermometer. When they are fully cooked, the temperature should reach 165 degrees F. 
    • Don't overcrowd the air fryer. Make sure the meatballs have plenty of space in the air fryer so they cook evenly. If needed, cook them in batches.
    • Follow the correct cook time. To prevent overcooking, following the correct cooking time is important. For example, overcooked meatballs will be dry and tough.
    • Do not overmix the meatball mixture. Mixing too much will make the meatballs tough, so mix just until combined.
    A hand reaching for a plate of lemon chicken meatballs.

    Easy Sides for Pairing with Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Meatballs

    If you want to keep things super simple, pair your Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs Recipe with pasta or zucchini noodles. If you're up for putting in a little more effort, here are some easy side dish ideas that will go well with the flavors in this recipe:

    • Roasted potatoes
    • Green beans
    • Steamed broccoli
    • Salad
    • Roasted cauliflower
    • Quinoa or rice
    • Air fryer roasted vegetables
    • Garlic bread
    • Parmesan roasted asparagus
    • Air fryer Brussels sprouts
    • Sweet potato fries
    • Air fryer butternut squash
    • Carrot cake cookies
    • Cauliflower rice

    How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

    Let any leftovers cool to room temperature and store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to three days. After that, you can reheat them in the air fryer, on the stovetop, or in the microwave. When reheating, ensure the meatballs are heated to 165 degrees F.

    Can I Freeze This Recipe?

    Yes! Chicken meatballs freeze well. To freeze, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 2-3 hours, or until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

    When you're ready to eat them, thaw the meatballs overnight in the fridge. Then, cook them according to the recipe instructions.

    A fork spearing a lemon chicken meatball on a plate.
    Five air fryer lemon chicken meatballs on a plate with pasta.

    Substitutions and Variations

    If you feel like changing up this recipe a bit, try some of the substitutions and variations below.

    Substitutions

    Ground chicken - You can substitute ground turkey, beef, or pork in this recipe.

    Breadcrumbs - If you're looking for a gluten-free option, you can use almond flour or coconut flour in place of the breadcrumbs.

    Variations

    Italian chicken meatballs - To make Italian chicken meatballs, add ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the meatball mixture.

    Greek chicken meatballs - For Greek chicken meatballs, add ¼ cup of crumbled feta cheese and 1 teaspoon of dried oregano to the mixture.

    Buffalo chicken meatballs - To make buffalo chicken meatballs, omit the lemon pepper seasoning and add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the mixture. After cooking, toss the meatballs in your favorite hot sauce.

    Asian chicken meatballs - For Asian-inspired chicken meatballs, add 2 tablespoons of hoisin sauce and 1 tablespoon of grated ginger to the mixture.

    Recipe FAQ's

    How do you cook pre-made meatballs in an air fryer?

    Pre-made meatballs can be cooked in the air fryer, and they cook quickly and evenly. Simply place the meatballs in the air fryer basket, and cook according to the recipe instructions.

    Can you cook chicken meatballs in an air fryer?

    Yes! Chicken meatballs are an excellent option for cooking in an air fryer. They cook quickly and evenly, and they're perfect for a quick and easy meal.

    A plate of air fryer lemon chicken meatballs with a bite taken out of one of them.

    More Chicken Recipes

    • Pineapple BBQ Chicken Foil Packets
    • Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas
    • Crockpot Chicken Parmesan
    • Chicken Gnocchi Soup

    Did you make this recipe? Leave a star rating and I'd love to hear from you in the comments below.

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    Air fryer lemon chicken meatballs on a plate with orzo pasta.

    Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Meatballs

    Looking for a delicious and easy dinner idea? These juicy air fryer lemon chicken meatballs are perfect for you! With only a few simple ingredients, these meatballs are saucy, flavorful, and perfect for a quick and easy meal.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook: 20 minutes minutes
    Total: 25 minutes minutes
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 475kcal

    Ingredients

    Meatballs

    • 1 cup breadcrumbs
    • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 1 large egg, beaten
    • 1 garlic clove, grated
    • 1 pound ground chicken
    • 1 Tablespoon olive oil

    Sauce

    • 4 Tablespoons salted butter
    • 1 garlic clove, smashed and peeled
    • ½ lemon, juiced
    • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, for serving

    Instructions

    For the Meatballs

    • Grease the basket of the air fryer with olive oil spray or brush it with olive oil. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, lemon zest, salt, and red pepper flakes.
    • Next add the beaten egg and grated garlic. Mix to combine.
    • Finally add the chicken and very gently mix to combine– you don’t want to compact the meat or you’ll end up with dense meatballs.
    • Coat your hands with olive oil and scoop out golf ball sized portions. Roll them into smooth balls and place them in the air fryer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket.
    • Cook the meatballs at 375°F for 12-14 minutes, or until the outside of the meatballs is golden brown and the inside registers 165°F on an instant read thermometer.
    • Coat the meatballs in the sauce (below) and sprinkle with grated parmesan. Enjoy immediately.

    For the Lemon Brown Butter Sauce

    • Add the butter and garlic to a small saucepan set over medium heat. Allow the butter to melt and then cook for 3-4 minutes, or until it begins to foam on top.
    • When the butter begins to foam, gently swirl the pan for 30-45 seconds, or until the butter turns golden brown. The foam should subside and the butter will smell rich and nutty.
    • Then, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Set aside until ready to use.

    Notes

    • Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
    • Ground chicken: You can substitute ground turkey, beef, or pork in this recipe.
    • Breadcrumbs: If you're looking for a gluten-free option, you can use almond flour or coconut flour in place of the breadcrumbs.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 475kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 179mg | Sodium: 1176mg | Potassium: 716mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 595IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 184mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @bestdinnerrecipes or tag #bestdinnerrecipes!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kathleen

      July 24, 2022 at 1:28 pm

      5 stars
      So so good, I'll admit I am not a fan of using ground chicken, it's usually so blah -- but not these meatballs, gobbled them all up and felt healthier too!

      Reply

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