If you love a stir fry but need a short cut version, try this easy Chicken Meatball Stir Fry.
This timesaving dinner idea includes frozen chicken meatballs (or beef), veggies, pineapple and your favorite stir fry sauce.
Serve over prepared rice and you've got a meal the entire family will love.
This chicken meatball stir fry recipe was originally created as part of a paid collaboration. The recipe remains the same but all paid brand mentions and links have been removed.
Do I make homemade meatballs? Yes. Do I use frozen meatballs sometimes, also, yes!
I tend to turn to frozen meatballs for recipes when the flavor of the meatball isn't exactly all that important. For instance, when I make my Meatballs in Brown Gravy, I use frozen.
That being said, if you have time to make your own chicken meatballs, please go right ahead. I make a mean Buffalo Chicken Meatball, have you tried that?
This recipe is also perfect for those who are squeamish about handling raw chicken.
If chicken meatballs aren't your thing or you have a hard time finding them, just use beef or pork meatballs. Just try to avoid the ones that are "Italian style" because the flavors might clash.
I'm a big fan of the Trader Joes party meatballs.
I actually already had my produce on hand. Pretty much any veggie works in a stir fry. I was using sugar snap peas, scallions and carrots. I
shaved the carrots with a peeler just because I don't really love having big clunky bits of carrot in my stir fry. You can shave them or chop them or whatever.
Stir fry recipes move fast, so be sure to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go.
Heat the oil and cook the veggies for a few minutes. After just a few minutes, add in the meatballs...
then the pineapple chunks...
and finally the stir-fry sauce.
Stir it all together and let it cook for just a minute and you're done. A chicken meatball stir fry, just like that.
Serving suggestions
- If desired, add 1-2 T sriracha at the same time you add the stir-fry sauce
- Garnish with additional chopped scallions
- Stir the cooked rice into the pan with the stir fry to create a stir fry bowl meal
- Sub in jasmine rice instead of white rice
Printable Recipe Card
Easy Chicken Meatball Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 Cup prepared white rice or Jasmine rice
- 1 Cup shaved carrot
- 2 Cup sugar snap peas
- 3 scallions chopped
- 20 Ounce can pineapple chunks drained
- 14 Ounce frozen chicken meatballs defrosted or cooked
- ½ Cup Stir-Fry Sauce
Optional
- 1 Tablespoon Sriracha sauce
Instructions
- Heat meatballs, following the instructions on the package ( Using the microwave instructions will make this recipe much quicker). Set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet or wok. Add carrot, peas and scallion. Cook 3-4 minutes, stirring often. Add the cooked meatballs to the pan and stir. Next, add the pineapple chunks and then the stir fry sauce (if using sriracha, also add that now). Allow to cook together for 1-2 more minutes.
- To plate, spoon the stir fry over the prepared rice.
- Garnish with additional scallions if desired.
Heather (Brie Brie Blooms) says
I love this variation using meatballs! Delicious and easy - my favorite busy mom meal! #client
Melanie says
I'm currently on WHole30, so I haven't had rice in almost a month, and this looks so tempting!
Sarah says
LOL I don't think your friends will be able to call you out on this one. You've made it super easy and it looks delicious!
foodyschmoody says
Thanks! Yes, I think I've proved my point to them lol.
Jamie says
This looks like such an amazing meal! I love the addition of meatballs to stir fry!
Marion s says
Will my own meatballs
foodyschmoody says
I think you're asking if you're own homemade meatballs will work. I'd just be cautious that any meatball with Italian seasonings may class with the flavors in the stir fry.
Kim says
What a tasty recipe! I can't wait to try this for dinner. It looks like it has so much flavor and I love minute rice.
Carter says
I am looking forward to making this. Looks like a unique, simple recipe