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The Best Red Pepper Jelly Glazed Chicken Meatball Subs

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These Banh Mi style subs will blow your mind! Imagine the most delicious chicken meatballs glazed in a sweet and slightly spicy red pepper jelly, topped with seasoned fresh and crunchy vegetables like cucumber, radish, jalapeño and fresh herbs, in a warm submarine roll. Absolutely heavenly! I hope you love this recipe.
Servings 4 6” subs

Equipment

  • 1 Baking sheet
  • 1 Wire rack Optional

Ingredients

Ingredients:

Meatballs:

  • 1 lb Ground Chicken
  • 1/2 Avocado
  • 2 Tbsp Mayo (optional)
  • 2 Green onions, finely chopped
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Chili Flakes
  • 1/2 tsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds
  • 1 Tbsp sesame seed oil
  • 1 Tsp Kosher salt
  • 1/2 Cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 Jar A La Table Red Pepper Jelly (approx 3 tbsp) + 1 tsp water (for glazing)

Sub Rolls

  • 4 6” submarine rolls I used egg bread submarine rolls. They’re a little sweet and have a nice texture.
  • 2 Persian cucumbers, sliced lengthwise with a mandolin or vegetable peeler
  • Fresh Cilantro
  • Fresh Mint
  • 2 Red radishes, sliced paper thin
  • 1/2 Jalapeño, seeded and sliced thin

Vinaigrette

  • 1/4 Cup RIce wine vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp Sesame oil
  • 1 Tsp Maple syrup (or sugar)
  • 1 Pinch Kosher salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375F
  • In a large mixing bowl, mash the avocado, add mayo and the rest of the ingredients (Except Red Pepper Jelly)
    Roll mixture into golf ball sized meatballs, Approx 12 meatballs
  • On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper space the meatballs evenly and roast for about 22-24 minutes (depending on size or until an internal temp of 170F is reached)
  • Set your broiler to Hi and broil to brown the tops for 3 minutes or so. Keep your eye on them.
  • Wrap your sub rolls in foil and warm them in the oven so they soften a little.
  • Meanwhile, combine 1/2 of the jar of red pepper jelly with a teaspoon of water and microwave for about 10 seconds until the mixture loosens.
  • Once the meatballs are cooked transfer meatballs to a wire rack and place it over your baking sheet and generously brush the glaze over every meatball. Alternately, you can glaze the meatballs on the baking sheet. Set aside

Prep your sub:

  • Add your sliced veggies to a bowl and lightly dress with a couple of splashes of the salad dressing, including the herbs and set aside. (Reserve the rest of the dressing for another use)
  • Cut your sub roll but not all the way through.
  • Place 3 meatballs in the bun and add your sliced cucumbers, jalapeño and radish slices, then tuck in some of the mint and cilantro. Spoon some extra red pepper jelly over the top of each meatball and enjoy!

Notes

Options: You can add mayonnaise to the sandwich  or you can butter your bread as is often done with Banh Mi sandwiches. I found that I didn’t have to since the veggies and herbs were dressed and seasoned and the meatballs are so tender and tasty.
Other veggies: You can also add pickled carrots or bell pepper slices, sprouts or any other crunchy vegetable you like.
For the best meatballs: To ensure the most tender and juicy chicken meatballs or burgers, I always add a little avocado and mayo. It’s my little insurance policy for the best texture but since this recipe also contains sesame oil, you can omit the mayo. 
Variations: You can make these into sliders by placing one meatball on a mini slider bun or Hawaiian dinner roll and adding the same ingredients as the sub! You can also make the meatballs smaller and serve simply glazed as an hors-d’oeuvre, maybe skewered with a jalapeño slice and some cilantro. Sprinkle with finely chopped chives.