Juicy Butter Chicken Meatball Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Sizzling aromas and rich spices dance through the kitchen when you craft this incredible butter chicken meatball delight that blends traditional Indian flavors with comforting protein.

Tender ground chicken mingles with aromatic herbs and warming spices to create irresistible meatballs.

Each bite promises a burst of creamy, tangy goodness that transports you straight to the bustling streets of Delhi.

The silky tomato-based sauce coats each meatball in a luxurious embrace of flavor.

Fragrant ginger, garlic, and garam masala infuse depth into every morsel.

Bold spices whisper stories of culinary tradition while delivering maximum satisfaction.

This recipe transforms a classic dish into a delectable experience you won’t soon forget.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 460 kcal

Servings: 5

What Goes into Butter Chicken Meatballs

• Ground Chicken: Lean protein that creates juicy, tender meatballs with authentic flavor.
• Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meat and adds lightweight texture to prevent dense meatballs.
• Egg: Provides moisture and acts as a natural binding agent for perfect meatball structure.
• Garam Masala: Introduces warm, complex Indian spice blend that elevates the chicken's flavor profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the meatballs.

• Onion, Garlic, Ginger: Classic aromatic trio that builds a robust, deeply flavored sauce base.
• Tomatoes: Creates a tangy, rich foundation that complements the creamy chicken meatballs.
• Butter, Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious, velvety texture and rounds out the sauce's spicy notes.
• Sugar: Balances the acidity of tomatoes and softens the overall sauce flavor.
• Garam Masala, Red Chili Powder: Introduces warmth and subtle heat characteristic of butter chicken.

• Basmati Rice: Light, fragrant rice that perfectly absorbs the rich, creamy sauce.
• Fresh Cilantro: Bright, fresh garnish that adds color and herbal brightness to the dish.

Tools to Get Your Butter Chicken Meatballs Just Right

• Large Skillet or Dutch Oven: Essential for sautéing base ingredients and simmering sauce.
• Blender or Immersion Blender: Perfect for creating a smooth, silky sauce texture.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, and ginger.
• Sharp Knife: Helps with precise ingredient preparation.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Pot or Rice Cooker: Required for preparing basmati rice.

How to Make Tender Butter Chicken Meatballs in Sauce

Butter Chicken Meatball Delight

• Rice Foundation

Fluffy basmati rice sets the stage for this mouthwatering dish, creating a perfect canvas for the saucy meatballs.

• Flavor Awakening

Sizzle onions, garlic, and ginger in a hot pan, releasing their aromatic essence and building a robust flavor base with warm Indian spices.

• Sauce Symphony

Crush tomatoes into the pan, letting them dance with spices and create a vibrant, rich sauce that simmers and develops deep, complex flavors.

• Smooth Transformation

Blend the sauce until silky smooth, transforming rough ingredients into a luxurious liquid that will coat every meatball with incredible taste.

• Meatball Magic

Gently nestle cooked meatballs into the velvety sauce, allowing them to absorb the fragrant spices and become tender love bites.

• Creamy Finale

Swirl in butter and cream, creating a luscious, indulgent sauce that turns this dish from delicious to absolutely irresistible.

Adjusting Spices in Butter Chicken Meatballs

• Meatball Magic Tweaks: Discover delightful ways to elevate your Butter Chicken Meatball experience.
• Spice Intensity Control: Adjust the heat by increasing or decreasing red chili powder or adding fresh green chilies for a personalized flavor punch.
• Protein Swap Spectacular: Experiment with ground chicken, turkey, or plant-based alternatives to create unique meatball variations that suit different dietary preferences.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Cook the meatballs and sauce separately, storing them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving to maintain the sauce's creamy texture and rich flavors.
• Garnish Galore: Top your dish with fresh cilantro, a dollop of yogurt, or toasted cashews for added crunch and visual appeal. Sprinkle some extra garam masala for an authentic Indian restaurant-style finish.

Serve Butter Chicken Meatballs with Rice or Naan

• Cozy Family Feast: Serve the butter chicken meatballs over fluffy basmati rice, creating a comforting meal that brings everyone together at the dinner table.
• Garnish Galore: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro, a dollop of cool yogurt, and some toasted naan bread on the side to add vibrant colors and exciting textures to your plate.
• Spice Level Adventure: Offer additional chili flakes or hot sauce for heat lovers, allowing each person to customize their meatball experience and dial up the flavor intensity.
• Leftover Magic: Store any remaining meatballs in an airtight container for a delicious next-day lunch, which tastes even better as the flavors continue to develop overnight.

Best Ways to Store Leftover Butter Chicken Meatballs

• Refrigerator Revival: Store leftover butter chicken meatballs in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to develop, making each bite even more delicious when reheated gently.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Carefully pack the meatballs and sauce in freezer-safe containers, where they'll stay fresh for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain their tender texture.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare a double batch and divide into individual portions for quick lunches or dinners during busy weeks. These meatballs make an excellent make-ahead meal that saves time and satisfies hunger.
• Serving Sidekick Strategy: Keep cooked basmati rice separate from the sauce to prevent soggy texture. Store rice and meatballs in different containers, allowing you to reheat and combine just before serving for maximum freshness and flavor.

Spicy Butter Chicken Meatball Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Succulent butter chicken meatballs elevate traditional Indian cuisine with a creamy, spiced sauce that dances across palates. Homemade comfort meets elegant flavors you’ll savor with each perfectly seasoned bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 20 oz (567 g) chicken or turkey meatballs, cooked
• 2 tbsps (30 g) butter
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) heavy cream
• 1 (14-oz/400 g) can crushed tomatoes or plain tomato sauce
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) basmati rice, or precooked rice
• ½ onion, roughly chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced or garlic paste
• 1 small piece fresh ginger, grated or ginger paste
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) avocado oil or olive oil
• ½ cup (120 ml) water
• ¼ cup (15 g) fresh cilantro
• ½ tsp garam masala
• ½ tsp cumin
• ¼ tsp turmeric
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ to 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp sugar

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Instructions

1. Rice Preparation: Cook basmati rice precisely following package instructions, aiming for light, fluffy grains that will serve as a perfect base for the meatballs.
2. Flavor Foundation: Heat oil in a large skillet, sauté onions, garlic, ginger, and spices until they release an aromatic blend and become translucent, developing a robust flavor profile.
3. Sauce Development: Combine tomatoes, water, salt, and sugar in the skillet, allowing the mixture to simmer and reduce, concentrating the flavors into a rich, harmonious sauce for approximately 12-15 minutes.
4. Sauce Transformation: Puree the simmered sauce using a blender or immersion blender until achieving a smooth, velvety consistency that will elegantly coat the meatballs.
5. Meatball Integration: Return the pureed sauce to the pan, gently nestle the pre-cooked meatballs into the liquid, and warm through on low heat, covered, enabling the meatballs to absorb the complex, nuanced flavors.
6. Final Flourish: Enrich the sauce by incorporating cold butter and heavy cream, creating a luxurious, silky finish that elevates the entire dish to a truly indulgent experience.

Notes

• Spice Intensity Control: Adjust spice levels by gradually adding garam masala and chili powder to match personal heat preferences without overwhelming the delicate meatball flavors.
• Blending Technique: Ensure sauce smoothness by blending in small batches and straining through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any potential tomato seeds or tough fiber chunks.
• Meatball Moisture Management: Mix ground meat with breadcrumbs and egg to prevent dryness, ensuring tender and juicy meatballs that absorb sauce beautifully.
• Cream Incorporation Tip: Add cream off direct heat to prevent curdling, stirring gently to create a silky, uniform sauce that maintains its luxurious texture and vibrant color.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg