Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free, Paleo Option, Low Carb
In this healthy slow cooker recipe, tender, juicy chicken meatballs are loaded with earthy, savory spices and coated in an easy, made from scratch red enchilada sauce. It's the perfect dish to make for Mexican themed dinners! I've also included baking instructions below.
Why I Love This Recipe
These kid approved, crockpot chicken meatballs are a simple and delicious recipe that your whole family will love. This dish is easy to make for weeknight dinner at home and is always a crowd pleaser at potlucks!
Juicy flavor packed meatballs are coated in a savory, smoky, with a hint of sweet enchilada sauce. Then, they are slow cooked to bubbly, saucy perfection! Serve over your favorite rice, with soft tortillas, with a side of Mexican Spiced Corn And Beans or our family's favorite Cumin Lime Cole Slaw.
Try this Mexican inspired dish for a new spin on Taco Tuesdays or Cinco de Mayo! Ground chicken is seasoned with a smoky, earthy blend of chili powder, cumin, and garlic. It also has nutritional yeast for a hint of nutty, cheesiness and almond flour helps to bind everything together. Finally, the addition of red enchilada sauce makes this one irresistible dinner!
Dietary considerations
For a paleo friendly version, use ghee instead of dairy free butter in the Gluten Free Enchilada Sauce recipe. Serve over cauliflower rice. Try with a side of Cumin Lime Cole Slaw.
Additionally, keep this Gluten Free Enchilada Meatballs recipe Keto friendly by serving over cauliflower rice.
Recommendation for store bought enchilada sauce
To make this recipe even more simple, you may substitute the homemade enchilada sauce with a good quality store bought enchilada sauce. Siete typically has healthy, tasty, allergy friendly products and would be a good product to try.
This is the avocado oil spray that I normally use.
Tips for tender meatballs
Here are a few tips to prevent tough meatballs from over working the meat:
- First, spread the raw meat out as much as possible in the mixing bowl. This increases the amount of surface area the seasoning comes in contact with and decreases the amount of time you have to work to get the mixture fully combined.
- Next, use your hands to gently combine the ingredients. Do this only until all the spices/seasonings look and feel evenly distributed.
- This meatball mixture is very sticky. If you have a medium meatball scoop, use your fingers to smooth the meat that's sticking out of the scoop. Then drop the meatball directly into the crockpot. This eliminates the need to roll the ball in you hands.
- Otherwise, coat your hands in cooking spray or neutral oil to roll about 2 tablespoon scoops of meat gently into balls. Use the smallest amount of pressure to get the balls to hold their shape and set them down.
Oven Directions
- First, preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with oil.
- Next, follow steps 1-3 placing the meatballs in a single layer in the baking dish.
- Bake 18-20 minutes until sauce is bubbly and meatballs are cooked through. The internal temperature should measure 160℉. Serve warm.
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📖 Recipe
Gluten Free Enchilada Meatballs {Paleo Option}
Equipment
- 1 large crockpot
- 1 large mixing bowl
- measuring cups and spoons
- 1 medium meatball scoop
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground chicken may sub turkey, beef, or pork
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1.5 tablespoon salt
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup almond flour
- 1 batch Gluten Free Enchilada Sauce*
- avocado oil cooking spray** or your preferred oil
Instructions
- Prepare Gluten Free Enchilada Sauce per recipe.*
- Spray crockpot with avocado oil.
- Spread the raw meat out as much as possible in the mixing bowl the try to sprinkle the seasonings evenly over the surface area: minced garlic, salt, nutritional yeast, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, black pepper, egg, and almond flour. Gently mix together until fully combined.
- Using a medium meatball scoop, gently form meatballs and place in a large slow cooker.*** Top with Gluten Free Enchilada Sauce.
- Cover and cook on HIGH 3-4 hours. Serve warm over your favorite cauliflower rice or rice.
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