Description
These Butter Chicken Meatballs are a delicious twist on the classic Indian butter chicken dish. Tender chicken meatballs are simmered in a creamy tomato sauce infused with aromatic spices, perfect for serving over rice or with naan.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 ½ pounds ground chicken
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
For Serving:
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Cooked rice or naan
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin, salt, and pepper. Form into 1 ½-inch meatballs.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet, brown the meatballs for 6–8 minutes, then set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onion, garlic, and ginger. Add spices, tomato sauce, and simmer. Stir in cream, yogurt, and salt.
- Simmer: Return meatballs to the skillet, simmer for 10–12 minutes until cooked through.
- Serve: Garnish with cilantro and serve with rice or naan.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- You can bake the meatballs at 400°F for 18–20 minutes instead of pan-searing.
- The flavors develop more the next day.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4–5 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 435
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 135mg