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Weeknight style 30 Minute Sticky Thai Meatballs with Sesame Noodles. Pan-seared gingery chicken meatballs tossed with plenty of spicy Thai style chili sauce, bell peppers, peanuts, and basil. Serve these sticky chicken meatballs over toasted sesame rice noodles and top with mango chili sauce plus fresh herbs. Every bite is sweet, spicy, and hinted with basil – delicious. Major bonus? This comes together in no time at all, just about 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights when you’re looking for something exciting, but easy too.
I didn’t mean to share two Thai chicken recipes in one week but I’m just very into the Thai recipes right now. Well, actually, what’s really got me going is my oldest brother, Creighton. As I’ve been saying on repeat, Creighton has been quarantining with my parents for weeks. He loves Thai, meatballs, and really anything saucy, so I’ve been making a lot of his favorites.
And these meatballs? They have his name written all over them. If you don’t love meatballs, or you’re not into Thai, I am so sorry. Maybe check out yesterday’s cauliflower gnocchi? Or last week’s crockpot carne asada tacos? Plenty of other options for you!
So yes, Creighton may have influenced this recipe, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love it. Because you guys, I really love this recipe. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it feels very fresh, springy, and even kind of summery with all those fresh herbs. So with that, I’m jumping right into the process.
First, let’s talk about the sauce.
You all know how strongly I feel about sauces, a flavorful sauce adds so much to a dish. And when it comes to Asian style recipes, sweet, spicy, and extra sticky are my favorites. Today’s sauce is a mix of pantry staples…soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sambal oelek (chili sauce), and fresh lime juice and zest. While the lime is not technically a pantry staple, they’re a produce that many people often stock in their fridge.
To help thicken up the sauce I added a bit of cornstarch. You can omit this if you’d prefer, but your meatballs will be just a little less sticky.
Once the stir fry sauce is made, I also like to make a quick mango chili sauce. I use all of the same ingredients, minus the water and cornstarch, and plus some diced mango. I LOVE this extra sauce for serving, but some may feel it’s not needed. So, I’ll leave that up to you…but if it was up to me…I’d make the extra sauce.
The sticky Thai Meatballs.
Now that the sauce is all ready to go, make the meatballs and finish up this recipe.
The meatballs are a pretty simple mix of ground chicken, garlic, ginger, and lots of black pepper. Roll this all together, then pan-fry the meatballs in a bit of olive oil to get them nice and crispy on the outside. At this point, add in the shallots, bell peppers, and peanuts. Let this cook a bit, then pour in that stir fry sauce and simmer away until thickened.
This doesn’t take long at all, so watch the sauce closely. You don’t want it to thicken up too much.
While all that is cooking, prepare the noodles. Then toss with a little olive oil and toasted sesame seeds for crunch. By the time the noodles are done cooking, the meatballs should already be finished, and yes, dinner is complete.
Spoon the noodles into bowls, then spoon the sticky meatballs over and add the sauce from the skillet. Finish each bowl off with all the fresh herbs you can find. I used lemon mint, basil, and cilantro, but you can use your personal favorites. If I had to pick just one, I would go with cilantro, second choice basil.
Enjoy. Immediately.
Yes, this is that simple and that quick-cooking. Honestly, this will take you no more than thirty minutes to make. I know it feels like a lot of ingredients, but promise, this comes together quickly!
Notes and substitutions…
For the bell peppers, you can really use whatever vegetable you have on hand. Broccoli would be my top pick, then asparagus. But you could also use bok choy, carrots, and even toss in some cabbage. Really, use whatever you’ve got or whatever you love most.
I like to use vermicelli rice noodles, but you could use any variety of rice noodles or even Italian style pasta. And while I love serving these meatballs over noodles, I’m sure steamed rice would be equally great.
And well, that’s kind of it! Simple, simple, but extra saucy, extra sticky, and one of those dinners you’re (hopefully) going to have on repeat.
Looking for other Asian recipes? Here are some favorites…
Coconut Popcorn Chicken with Sweet Thai Chili Lime Sauce
Better Than Takeout Garlic Butter Shrimp Pad Thai
Better Than Takeout Sweet Thai Basil Chicken
Lastly, if you make these 30 Minute Sticky Thai Meatballs with Sesame Noodles, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
30 Minute Sticky Thai Meatballs with Sesame Noodles
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 847 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2-3 tablespoons sambal oelek (chili paste)
- zest and juice of 1 lime, plus more for serving
- 1 pound ground chicken, pork, or turkey
- 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- black pepper
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for rolling
- 2 medium shallots, sliced or chopped
- 2 red or orange bell peppers, chopped
- 1/4 cup raw peanuts
- 1/2 cup fresh basil and or cilantro, roughly torn
- 8 ounces rice noodles
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 cup diced mango or mango chili sauce, for serving (see notes)
Instructions
- 1. In a glass jar, whisk together 1/3 cup cold water and the cornstarch. Add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, chili paste, lime zest, and lime juice.2. Add the chicken, ginger, garlic, and a pinch of pepper to a bowl. Mix until combined. Coat your hands with a bit of oil, and roll the meat into tablespoon-size balls (will make 15-20 meatballs).3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons oil. When the oil shimmers, add the meatballs and sear until crisp, about 4-5 minutes, turning them 2-3 times. Remove the meatballs from the skillet. To the skillet, add the shallots, peppers, and peanuts, cook another 2-3 minutes, until the peppers begin to char. Pour in the honey/soy sauce mix. Add back the meatballs. Bring the sauce to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the basil.4. Meanwhile, cook rice noodles according to packaged directions. Drain and toss with a couple drizzles of olive oil and the sesame seeds. 5. To serve, divide the noodles among bowls and top with meatballs. Serve with additional herbs, limes, and mango chili sauce (if desired). Enjoy
Notes
Mango Chili Sauce: combine 1/4 cup honey, 2-3 tablespoons sambal oelek, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, zest and juice of 1 lime, and 1 cup diced mango.
We loved this one too!
Thank you so much Suzy! xTieghan
Loved the meatballs! However, it took me longer than 30 minutes. I prepped the vegetables and other ingredients a head of time. That took 45 minutes. When it was time to cook, I put everything together and it took about 40 minutes. So, maybe I’m a slow cook and you’re speedy. Do you have a soux chef helping you? Just curious.
Hi Kim! I am really glad this turned out well for you! I do not have a soux chef, its just me! I hope you continue to love my recipes! xTieghan
So yummy!! Great recipe! I served mine with crispy roasted broccoli!
Ooo love that! Thank you for trying this Jennifer! xTieghan
Last night’s dinner was a big success! I kept the spice down to 1 tablespoon (“Happy Wife, Happy Life!) and added in bok choy (a family favorite.) Just all around great flavor. And the mango salsa is a MUST – adds so much to the dish.
Thanks again!
Amazing! Thank you so much for trying this one, David! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan…. I love your recipes and have tried quite a few from your recipe box. I would love to try this one too, can you suggest any good vegetarian substitution in the meatballs? I can’t wait to try this!
Thanksx
Hi Lavanya,
I would recommend skipping the meatballs and just using some tofu or another veggie that your enjoy. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This is so good! I added lots of scallion greens with the cilantro, too!
Amazing! Thank you for trying this one, Noelle! xTieghan
Delicious recipe! I always try your Thai- and Asian-inspired recipes because my boyfriend can’t get enough Thai food, and we have LOVED every single one! You have a gift. This was SO yummy and satisfying, but incredibly easy and simple! 🙂
I am so glad you both loved this Liv!! Thank you for trying it! xTieghan
Really didn’t care for this. I thought the meatballs were bland and I had to add an egg and panko to get them to bind together (using pork), and I added salt. I think they would be better with the shallots, some of the diced pepper, FISH SAUCE, and some Thai or regular basil mixed in. The sauce was pretty tasty but could have had fish sauce.
Hi Hilary! I am sorry to hear that! Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with! Otherwise, I hope you love other recipes of mine! xTieghan
I made this last week! Only complaint… There wasn’t enough! Lol. But really in all seriousness, the flavor was amazing and the recipe was overall easy! I was incredibly impressed with the flavor of the meatballs. I used lean ground turkey and was worried they wouldn’t have enough flavor, but they were great! Will definitely make again soon. Thanks again for another great one!
Haha ok I think that might be the best complaint.. I am so glad you loved this recipe!! Thank you Natalie! xTieghan
Made this tonight and it was a big hit! Will definitely put it on our regular rotation.
Thank you so much Katie! xTieghan
I just made this for lunch with turkey. I used OF Change mango sauce. Yum. Thanks for all your inspiration. This is the first time I have written on here but, have made many of your amazing recipes. My friend Claudia and are obsessed. Thanks.
Yum! Thank you so much Janelle! I hope you and Claudia continue to enjoy haha! xTieghan
Another HBH hit! Loved this flavorful and simple recipe. I did end up needing to cool the peppers and the meatballs for a bit longer than stated in the recipe. It probably took me closer to 45-60 min overall but I’m sure I’m a bit of a slow chopper too!
Yes!! I am really glad you loved this one, Liz!! Thank you so much for trying it! xTieghan
This is delicious. Only thing I’d do differently would be to not add the peanuts until the meal is cooked. Other than that, this is a wonderful, quick delicious meal.
Thank you Lynn!! xTieghan
I really love this site and 90% of the recipes here! That said, the 10% consistently seems to be the Asian recipes – some of which have actually found their way to the trash to be replaced by an emergency egg sandwich dinner. I do keep trying them, though, because so many of the recipes here are such a hit! While this one wasn’t trash quality, it was not a big hit with anyone. I made the recipe exactly as written including the mango sauce. It was very lime forward with a nice kick of spice at the backend. But in general the overall effect was not terribly pleasant. Neither of the men liked it and I tired quickly of the flavor. Unlike some Asian meals, this flavor didn’t evolve into a unique experience in each bite- it was just the same thing again and again. I have found that recipe blogs by natives tend to have the best recipes (for obvious reasons). I have also noticed a real uptick in the Asian recipes here and do long for the more traditional “farmhouse” recipes that once dominated the blog. I am yet to try one that wasn’t ah-mazing. So, I love your food in general – keep up that good work 🙂 Bummed about the number Asian recipes here lately, though.
Hi Melissa! I am really sorry you did not enjoy this recipe. Please let me know if there is anything I can help with! xTieghan
instead of raw peanuts, could i use peanut butter? and how much do you think?
Hi Grace,
The peanuts really give this dish a great crunch with the peppers so if you don’t use them I would just omit and not add peanut butter. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan