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Butter Chicken Meatballs

These Butter Chicken Meatballs deliver the same bold, rich, aromatic flavors as the original, but with juicy chicken meatballs in a creamy, spiced tomato-based sauce.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Keyword Meatballs, Weeknight Dinner
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • blender or immersion blender

Ingredients

Chicken Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1/2 cup unseasoned Italian breadcrumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tbsp unflavored greek yogurt
  • 3 garlic cloves grates
  • 1 tsp garam masala 
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp coriander
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder

Butter Chicken Sauce

  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
  • cooked basmati rice & naan for serving

Instructions

  • In a bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, greek yogurt, grated garlic, and meatball spices. Add a generous pinch of kosher salt and mix thoroughly with your hands until well combined.
  • Divide the mixture and roll into 16 meatballs. Place in the fridge covered until ready to cook.
  • In a sauté pan over low heat, melt the butter. Once hot, add the onions and garlic and cook for 2–3 minutes, until soft and fragrant. Add in the sauce spices and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  • Pour in the crushed tomatoes and simmer covered, on low for 10 minutes.
  • After 10 minutes remove from the heat. Either use an immersion blender and blend until smooth OR place the contents in a blender and blend until smooth (return back to the pan).
  • Turn the burner back to low and stir in the heavy cream.
  • Add the chicken meatballs directly into the sauce. Cover the pan with a lid and simmer on low for 6 minutes. Gently flip the meatballs and continue cooking for another 5–6 minutes, or until they’re cooked through.
  • Top with the cilantro and serve with basmati rice and naan.