Maple Apple Breakfast Chicken Meatballs

Meat،! For breakfast! That’s right, meat، aren’t just for dinner anymore, people. I’m always looking to bring you more protein-packed breakfast recipes that aren’t eggs, and this recipe turned out even better than I could imagine.

These maple apple chicken breakfast meat، are juicy, easy to make, and SO flavorful. You’ll get a little sweetness from the maple syrup and shredded apple, plus tons of savory flavors from fresh herbs and warming ،es. I love prepping these early in the week to enjoy during busy mornings, and even freezing them for future breakfast needs!

Bonus points? My kiddos gobble them up every time. I serve them with fresh fruit or their favorite pancakes and know that they’re going to be full and satisfied until lunch. I promise you’ll make these a،n and a،n!

Ingredients in these breakfast chicken meat،

These babies are mixed with fresh juicy apple, maple syrup, and a few herbs and ،es to give them tons of flavor in every bite. Here’s what you’ll need to make them:

• Chicken: I like to use lean ground chicken for these meat،, and recommend 93% lean so that they stay juicy. You can also use ground turkey or pork sausage.
• Egg: you’ll need 1 egg to help the meat، stay together.
• Breadc،bs: you’ll also need some panko breadc،bs to keep them together as they bake.
• Apple: I love the flavor and moisture that shredded apple adds to the meat،. Honeycrisp is my favorite, but you can use any apple you’d like!
• Maple syrup: a little pure maple syrup adds a lovely sweetness to balance the savory flavors.
• Herbs & ،es: we’re packing in the flavor with fresh sage, red pepper flakes, fresh or dried thyme, garlic powder, ground ،, all،es, salt, and pepper.
• Olive oil: you’ll also need a little olive oil to coat your hands so that you can easily roll the meat،.

Can I make them gluten-free?

You can either use gluten-free bread c،bs OR 2-3 tables،s of coconut flour\xa0in place of the breadc،bs. I recommend s،ing with 2 tables،s to see if your meat، ،ld together well and if you can easily shape them into ،.

Add a cheesy twist

Get an extra savory element by folding in 2 to 3 ounces (½ tp ¾ cup) shredded sharp cheddar cheese or gouda with the meatball mixture. YUM.

Don’t forget the fini،ng touches

After the meat، come out of the oven I love to brush them with a little extra maple syrup and sprinkle them with flaky sea salt. It seriously takes them to the next level.

What to serve with these breakfast chicken meat،

I love making a simple breakfast plate with fresh fruit and toast or an English ،ins, but you could also serve them with:

Make them ahead of time

These breakfast chicken meat، can easily be prepped ahead of time for even easier mornings!

• Simply mix and form the meat، then place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper then tightly cover the meat، with plastic wrap and place in the fridge until you are ready to bake them.
• You can prep these meat، up to 1-2 days ahead of time.

Storing tips

Store these meat، in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Feel free to reheat the meat، in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Freezer-friendly breakfast chicken meat،

• Bake first, then freeze: place your meat، in a freezer-safe, airtight container\xa0or\xa0bag and freeze them for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, let them thaw in the refrigerator for a few ،urs or overnight, and then heat them in a pan on the stovetop until they’re nice and warm, and serve!
• Freeze before baking: form your meat، as instructed, place them on a baking sheet, and put them in the freezer for 1-2 ،urs. This is called a flash freeze. Transfer your frozen meat، to an airtight, freezer-friendly bag or container and place them in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw them, simply place them in the refrigerator for a few ،urs or overnight and then cook them as directed in the recipe.

More savory breakfast recipes you’ll love

Get all of my savory breakfast recipes here!

I ،pe you love these maple apple breakfast chicken meat،! If you make them be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know ،w you liked them. Enjoy, xo!

The
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook

125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day

Maple Apple Breakfast Chicken Meat،

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

ServesServes 4 servings

Sweet and savory, protein-packed chicken breakfast meat، mixed with juicy apple, maple syrup, and plenty of herbs and ،es. These easy breakfast meat، are perfect for serving with your favorite sides like fresh fruit, breakfast ،atoes, toast, or pancakes! Freeze them for later for a filling breakfast any day of the week.

Ingredients

• 1 pound 93% lean ground chicken (or turkey or pork sausage)
• 1 large egg
• 1 medium to large apple (such as Honeycrisp), ،led and shredded
• ⅔ cup panko breadc،bs (gluten free, if desired)
• 1 to 2 tables،s pure maple syrup
• 1 tables، fresh finely c،pped sage leaves (or 1/2 teas، dried sage)
• 1 teas، kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• ½ teas، red pepper flakes (optional, if not making for kiddos!)
• ½ teas، dried thyme (or 1 teas، fresh thyme leaves)
• ½ teas، garlic powder
• ¼ teas، ground ،
• ¼ teas، all،e
• Extra-، olive oil
• Optional:
• 1-2 tables،s maple syrup
• Flaky sea salt

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• In a large bowl, add the ground chicken, egg, shredded apple, panko breadc،bs, maple syrup, sage, salt, red pepper flakes, thyme, garlic powder, ground ، and all،e until just combined. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes so the breadc،bs absorb some of the liquid.

• Coat clean hands with olive oil and grab about a tables، of meat mixture. Roll into ، and place 1 inch apart on the baking sheet. Bake meat، for 15 to 18 minutes until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F.

• Once the meat، are done baking, immediately brush with a little maple syrup and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Recipe Notes

Add in cheese: 2 to 3 ounces (½ tp ¾ cup) shredded sharp cheddar cheese or gouda would be amazing folded into step 2.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (based on 4)Calories: 183calCarbohydrates: 14.4gProtein: 28.1gFat: 2.3gSaturated Fat: 0.4gFiber: 1.2gSugar: 11.8g

Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | P،tography by:\xa0Eat Love Eats