Butter Chicken Meatballs offer a delightful twist on the classic Indian dish, Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani). These tender meatballs are simmered in a rich and creamy tomato-based sauce infused with aromatic spices, making them a comforting and flavorful meal. Serve them over rice or with naan bread for soaking up every bit of the delicious sauce. This recipe brings together the best of both worlds—savory meatballs and creamy curry sauce—for a satisfying dining experience.
Recipe: Butter Chicken Meatballs
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground chicken (or turkey)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, for cooking
For the Butter Chicken Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream or coconut milk (for a dairy-free option)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Instructions:
- Make the Meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, milk, chopped onion, minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, garam masala, paprika, turmeric powder, cayenne pepper, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper.
- Mix until well combined, but avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
- Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Cook the meatballs in batches until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer cooked meatballs to a plate and set aside.
- Prepare the Butter Chicken Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add finely chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in ground cumin, ground coriander, garam masala, turmeric powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
- Simmer with Tomato Sauce:
- Pour in the tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes. Stir well to combine with the spice mixture and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Stir in the heavy cream or coconut milk, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Combine Meatballs with Sauce:
- Add the cooked meatballs back into the skillet with the sauce. Gently toss to coat the meatballs in the creamy butter chicken sauce.
- Simmer for another 5 minutes over low heat to heat the meatballs through and allow them to absorb some of the sauce.
- Serve:
- Serve the Butter Chicken Meatballs over rice or with naan bread.
- Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Tips:
- If the sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it out with a bit of water or additional cream/coconut milk.
- Adjust the level of spiciness by varying the amount of cayenne pepper used in both the meatballs and the sauce.
- For a richer flavor, you can add a dollop of plain yogurt or a squeeze of lemon juice to the sauce just before serving.
Variations:
- Substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or ground lamb for a different twist.
- For a lighter version, use light coconut milk instead of heavy cream in the sauce.
Butter Chicken Meatballs are a comforting and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion. Enjoy the creamy tomato sauce infused with aromatic spices paired with tender meatballs for a satisfying meal!