“Delicious EASY Butter Chicken Meatballs: A Flavorful Twist on a Classic Dish!”
“Discover the essence of Indian cuisine effortlessly with our easy Butter Chicken Meatball recipe. Seamlessly blending the sumptuous flavors of traditional butter chicken sauce with the convenience of bite-sized meatballs, this dish guarantees a culinary journey that delights your taste buds and earns applause from all who try it. Whether you’re a kitchen pro or a novice, this recipe ensures a stress-free cooking experience while delivering an explosion of authentic Indian taste in every mouthful.”
Quick and Easy Butter Chicken Meatball Recipe
Fusion of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds: butter chicken meatballs. These delectable morsels marry butter chicken’s rich, creamy essence with the comforting allure of meatballs. With each bite, you’re greeted by tender, succulent chicken enveloped in a velvety, aromatic sauce infused with traditional Indian spices. Whether served atop a bed of fluffy basmati rice or nestled in a warm, pillowy naan, butter chicken meatballs promise a culinary adventure that’s both familiar and delightfully unexpected. As you indulge in this inventive twist on a classic dish, prepare to savor every moment.
Crafting the Perfect Butter Chicken Meatballs
Creating butter chicken meatballs requires carefully balancing ingredients and techniques to ensure a harmonious marriage of flavors. Ground chicken serves as the base for the meatballs, infused with a blend of spices such as garam masala, ginger, cumin, and turmeric, along with breadcrumbs for texture and structure for moist and soft meatballs. These seasoned meatballs are then pan-fried or baked to golden perfection imparting a delightful crispness to the exterior while retaining moisture.
The Sauce: A Symphony of Flavors: How To Make Butter Chicken Sauce
At the heart of butter chicken meatballs lies the luscious sauce, faithful to the traditional butter chicken recipe yet adapted to complement the meatballs. Butter, onions, garlic, and ginger form the aromatic base, followed by a medley of spices that infuse the sauce with depth and complexity. Tomato puree lends a tangy sweetness, while heavy cream and ground almonds contribute richness and velvety smoothness, resulting in a sauce that envelops the meatballs in a symphony of flavors.
Serving Suggestions: What To Serve Butter Chicken Meatballs
Butter chicken meatballs offer versatility in serving, whether as an appetizer, main course, or as a buffet. Paired with fragrant basmati rice and fluffy naan bread or accompanied by crisp salads, they elevate any meal into a culinary adventure. Garnished with fresh cilantro for a burst of color and freshness, these meatballs are as visually appealing as they are delicious.
Butter Chicken Mealballs Recipe
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
- 1 tsp teaspoon garam masala
- ½ tsp teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼ tsp teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ plain Greek yogurt
- 1 egg
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- Cooking oil for frying
For the sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2-3 curry leaves (option)
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds (option)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/2 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup tomato puree ( fresh)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon ground almond
- 1/4 cup water
- Salt to taste
- ½ lemon juice
- Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
- Cooked rice or naan bread for serving
Instructions
Prepare the Meatballs
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumb, chopped onion, minced garlic, ginger garam masala, ground coriander, cumin, chili, greek yogurt, egg, salt, pepper, and chopped fresh cilantro( if using ). Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. You should get approximately 20-24 meatballs, depending on the size.
- In a large skillet, heat cooking oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs in batches, ensuring the pan is not overcrowded. Cook until browned on all sides and cooked through about 8-10 minutes. Remove the cooked meatballs from the skillet and set aside. Or bake for 10 to 15 minutes until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
Prepare the Sauce
- In the same skillet, add oil and butter over medium heat. Add curry leaves and cumin seeds if using. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and ginger, and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the ground coriander, cumin powder, chili, turmeric, and garam masala. Stir well to combine and cook for another minute.
- Pour in the tomato puree and water and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, ground almond, lemon juice, and sugar. ( Taste the sauce before adding sugar. Sometimes, tomato puree is too tangy or sweet, so adjust the sugar). Simmer gently for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce is heated and well combined—season with salt to taste.
Combine Meatballs with Sauce
- Carefully return the cooked meatballs to the skillet with the sauce. Gently toss to coat the meatballs evenly with the sauce.
- Allow the meatballs to simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to ensure they are heated and thoroughly coated in the sauce.
- Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.
Serve
- Transfer the butter chicken meatballs to a serving dish.
- Serve the meatballs hot with cooked rice or naan bread on the side.