Ginger Chicken Meatball Sandwiches Recipe

Introduction

Ginger Chicken Meatball Sandos are a flavorful twist on classic sandwiches, combining fragrant spices with tender chicken meatballs. This lively recipe brings together fresh herbs, a touch of heat, and creamy mayo for a satisfying and tasty meal perfect for any time of day.

Ingredients

• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 serrano pepper, stem removed
• One 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled
• A bunch of fresh cilantro
• 3 teaspoons fish sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Pinch of salt
• 4 pieces soft bread – either soft French bread or flatbread like pita or naan
• 1/2 cup mayo or kewpie*
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 sliced shallot or red onion
• 2 tablespoons cilantro
• 1/4 cup mint leaves
• 2 tablespoons chili crisp* or sriracha

Instructions

1. Step 1: Blitz garlic, serrano pepper, cilantro, and ginger in a small chopper or food processor until finely minced.
2. Step 2: Transfer the minced mixture to a large bowl. Add ground chicken, fish sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Mix well and form into 12 meatballs. Don’t worry if they feel wet or uneven.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the meatballs in the skillet and begin cooking until they start to brown.
4. Step 4: Add 2 tablespoons water to the skillet (it will sizzle). Quickly cover with a lid and let the meatballs steam for a few minutes. Remove the lid, carefully flip the meatballs, add a little more water if needed, cover again, and cook until fully cooked and golden brown, about 10 minutes total.
5. Step 5: Warm the bread until soft. Spread mayo or kewpie on the bread, add the cooked meatballs, then top with sliced cucumber, shallot, cilantro, mint, and a drizzle of chili crisp or sriracha. Serve immediately for a delicious, messy sandwich experience.

Tips & Variations

• If the mixture feels too wet to form into meatballs, chill it for 15–30 minutes or add a bit more cornstarch to help bind it.
• Substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or pork for a different flavor profile.
• Use naan or pita bread for easier handheld sandwiches, or opt for a soft French roll for a classic sando feel.
• Adjust the heat level by adding more or less serrano pepper or by swapping chili crisp with a milder sauce.

Storage

Store any leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. Keep bread separate and assemble sandwiches fresh to avoid sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the meatballs a day in advance and store them in the fridge. Cook them just before serving to maintain their texture and flavor.

What can I use if I don’t have fish sauce?

You can substitute fish sauce with soy sauce or tamari for a vegetarian-friendly alternative, though the flavor will be slightly different.

Ginger Chicken Meatball Sandwiches Recipe

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Ginger Chicken Meatball Sandos are a vibrant and flavorful twist on the classic meatball sandwich. Featuring ground chicken meatballs infused with aromatic ginger, garlic, serrano pepper, and fresh herbs, cooked to tender perfection in a skillet. Served on soft bread with creamy mayo, crisp cucumber, shallots, fresh cilantro, mint, and a spicy chili condiment for a deliciously messy and satisfying handheld meal.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Sandwich
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Asian Fusion

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meatballs

• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 serrano pepper, stem removed
• 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled
• A bunch of fresh cilantro
• 3 teaspoons fish sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Pinch of salt

Sandwich Toppings

• 4 pieces soft bread (soft French bread or flatbread like pita or naan)
• 1/2 cup mayo or kewpie mayonnaise
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 sliced shallot or red onion
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup mint leaves
• 2 tablespoons chili crisp or sriracha

Instructions

1. Prepare the Aromatics: Blitz together the garlic, serrano pepper, fresh cilantro, and peeled ginger in a small chopper or food processor until finely minced. This aromatic mixture forms the flavorful base of your meatballs.
2. Mix the Meatball Ingredients: Transfer the minced aromatics to a large bowl. Add the ground chicken, fish sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Mix everything together thoroughly. The mixture will be wet, but that’s expected. Shape the mixture into 12 meatballs; perfect shapes aren’t necessary.
3. Cook the Meatballs: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet with a lid over medium-high heat. Place the meatballs in the skillet and let them start cooking undisturbed to develop a golden crust.
4. Steam and Cook Through: Add 2 tablespoons of water to the skillet – it will sizzle immediately. Quickly cover the pan with the lid to steam the meatballs. After a few minutes, remove the lid, carefully flip the meatballs, and repeat the steaming and flipping until the meatballs are cooked through, tender, and golden brown, about 10 minutes total cooking time.
5. Assemble the Sandos: Warm the bread to make it soft and pliable. Spread mayo or kewpie generously on the bread. Layer on the cooked meatballs, followed by sliced cucumber, shallots, fresh cilantro, mint leaves, and finish with a drizzle of chili crisp or sriracha for a spicy kick. Serve immediately to enjoy the messy, saucy goodness.

Notes

• If the meatball mixture is too wet and difficult to form, sprinkle extra cornstarch a little at a time until the mixture holds together better.
• You can substitute the serrano pepper with jalapeño for less heat, or omit for a milder flavor.
• For extra flavor, let the meatball mixture rest for 10 minutes before forming, allowing the fish sauce and spices to meld.
• Use kewpie mayonnaise if you want a creamier, slightly sweeter mayo flavor typical in Asian cuisine.
• The sandwich is delicious served warm but also tastes great at room temperature, making it a good option for picnics.

Keywords: ginger chicken meatballs, meatball sandwich, Asian meatballs, spicy chicken sandwich, quick dinner, cilantro, fresh herbs