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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sargento. All opinions are 100% mine.
Delicious holiday party food doesn’t have to be bad for your waistline! These Healthy Chicken Taco Meatballs are the perfect bite-size nibbles for all of your festive gatherings this season.Â
Once Halloween arrives, it seems as though our crazy schedules are packed full of social events through the end of the year. It’s two months of fun, and it always involves a lot of great food! But just because we’re celebrating with friends and family does not mean that we have to sacrifice our health and good nutrition. Thanks to these yummy meatballs, which are full of protein and robust flavors, you can have the best of both worlds — perfectly tasty party food that is also good for you!
When I was challenged to create a recipe using Sargento Shredded Cheese, I knew exactly what to do! Sargento’s Shredded Reduced-Fat 4-Cheese Mexican Blend is one of our go-to weekly grocery items, which I include in a variety of Mexican-inspired meals. Proof that you don’t have to give up authentic Mexican flavor when you use a reduced fat cheese, this tasty blend of Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Queso Quesadilla and Asadero cheeses will make you a believer!
I also wanted to come up with a family-friendly appetizer that would appeal to both kids and grown-ups at a party. After all, most of our social engagements these days also include lots of little ones under foot! I know that other moms like me will appreciate an easy recipe that pleases all ages. Dipped in salsa or guacamole, these are divine!
The cornflake crumbs that I used as a binder give the meatballs a crispy golden-brown exterior, while the Sargento Shredded Cheese throughout creates a creamy and moist interior just oozing with flavor!
I also love the versatility of this recipe. I can prepare the meatballs in advance and even serve them to my family for dinner on a busy weeknight. They’re healthy, and they work perfectly tucked inside whole grain tortillas with some extra cheese and salsa (like soft tacos!), or served over rice with some salsa, green onion, and more Sargento Shredded Reduced-Fat 4-Cheese Mexican Blend melted over top.
Are you getting in the holiday spirit now? Do you love Sargento Shredded Cheese as much as we do? Then I have a challenge for you! You can enter the Sargento Facebook recipe contest! The Facebook recipe contest winner will receive $2,000 toward kitchen supplies and ingredients for the perfect holiday meal, plus a year’s supply of Sargento Shredded Natural Cheese.
Just submit an original recipe and photo of a dish featuring a Sargento Shredded Cheese variety, plus an explanation of why using real, fresh-tasting ingredients like Sargento Shredded Natural Cheese matters to you. To enter the contest, visit Sargento on Facebook.
And for culinary inspiration, be sure to check out the Sargento on Pinterest or visit Sargento’s website for more information. Happy holidays, and good luck in the recipe contest!
Healthy Chicken Taco Meatballs
Ingredients
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 can 4 ounces chopped green chiles
- 1 cup corn flake crumbs
- 1 cup 4 ounces shredded reduced-fat Sargento Mexican cheese blend
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 lb. ground chicken
- Optional: salsa and guacamole for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, combine first 5 ingredients. Crumble chicken over the bowl and combine with the egg mixture.
- Shape meat into 1-inch balls. Place on baking sheets coated with cooking spray.
- Bake for approximately 12-15 minutes, or until browned, turning occasionally.
- Serve warm, with salsa and guacamole for dipping.
Yummy! Love the idea of using ground chicken to make these meatballs! Love Mexican cheese blends too! Pinning to make for my family 🙂
Thanks so much, Joy! It’s amazing how delicious and moist the chicken stays (thanks to all of the other ingredients). Our family LOVES these!
Hi there, great low carb dish! How about adding it to the Food on Friday: Low Carb collection over at Carole’s Chatter? Cheers
Thanks, Carole!
What a great idea for an appetizer! I love this recipe because it looks quick and easy to do…thanks for sharing!
Thanks for visiting, Jodee! 🙂
Yum! Those look good and I know they would be a big hit in our house! We all love Mexican food! Pinning!
Thanks for the pin, Michelle! 🙂
Cheese in the meatballs? Yum! Thanks for the appetizer inspiration and for sharing at Show Me Saturday!
~ Ashley
Thanks for stopping by, Ashley!!
Chicken meatballs sound like great finger food, delicious! Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!!
These are very tasty! I had to make some substitutions (crushed Corn Chex and ground turkey) because of what I had on hand, but they still turned out great. Thank you for sharing this easy and delicious recipe.
Awesome — I’m so glad that you liked them, Jocelyn! You are so kind to let me know. 🙂 Just made my day!
These look delicious. I’m going to try these today. Do you have any other suggestions to replace the corn flake crumbs?
Hi, Cindy! You might try crushed tortilla chips. It would change the texture a bit, but you could also try plain Panko breadcrumbs. Enjoy!