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30 Minute Butter Chicken Meatballs. A delicious mix of cozy and healthy. This dish incorporates a variety of Indian spices, all with an abundance of health benefits. These meatballs are extra saucy, quick, easy, and delicious. Serve over steamed rice with a side of naan (preferably homemade because it’s the best). A great recipe any night of the week!
And just like that it’s already Wednesday, September is well under way, and like clockwork I am slowly beginning to share some more cozy recipes that are perfect for the cooler temperatures the approaching fall season is sure to bring.
So here’s the story behind this meatball recipe.
Those of you who have been reading HBH since the beginning (almost 6 years now!), may remember that during my first year of writing the blog I shared this naan recipe. Honestly? This is the naan that changed my life, my mom’s life, and really anyone that’s ever made or eaten it.
I know, I am so overly dramatic, but it’s all true. I never knew I could love a recipe as much as I love this naan. It’s soft, buttery, and delicious. Whether eaten with a bowl of soup, paired with a creamy curry, or especially when eaten on its own!
So, why am I gushing about an old recipe? Well, because it’s a recipe that’s inspired a lot of other recipes here on HBH. And yes, you guessed it, including these butter chicken meatballs. Really, I just needed a good excuse to make naan on a Monday, and butter chicken is the perfect dish to pair my favorite homemade naan with, so butter chicken meatballs it was.
And I am excited about them.
Meatballs have never been one of my favorites to make or to eat. Mostly because I really hate the word meatball. I find it so very unappealing. I mean, meatballs? Doesn’t seem like the greatest word to me, but I guess it is what it is.
This past year I’ve slowly started to put the unappealing name out of my head and begin to embrace the meatball. Thus far I’ve made simple baked Italian meatballs, Greek lamb meatballs, and ricotta turkey meatballs. And today I am embracing meatballs once again, only going the Indian route.
It’s kind of different, but so good.
Let’s talk details.
Start off by making the chicken meatballs. This is easy. Mix together ground chicken (you could also use ground turkey), an egg, and some bread crumbs. Form the mix into balls and then bake in the oven. I love baking my meatballs as opposed to pan frying them. One, it’s easier, two it’s healthier, and three, I find the meatballs cook evenly all the way through. Plus, cooking the meatballs in the oven gives you all the time (and hands) to make the sauce.
Which brings me to the sauce. The sauce is EVERYTHING. it’s what butter chicken is all about it. It’s where all the flavor is. It’s creamy, spicy, coconutty, and eat-by-the-spoonfuls good.
Traditionally butter chicken takes a while to make because the chicken needs to be slowly simmered in the sauce. Since we are using meatballs instead of whole chicken pieces, we can speed up the process and turn an hour plus recipe into a 30 minute, one pan and done, kind of recipe.
Cool. Cool. Love it.
The key to my butter chicken sauce is a good amount of spices, coconut milk, and tomato paste. The spices add all the flavor, the coconut milk adds creaminess, and the tomato paste adds richness.
Finish the sauce with a couple of tablespoons of butter and…PERFECTION.
You’ll want to get started on the sauce while the meatballs are baking so that when the meatballs are finished cooking, the sauce is all ready. Then all you’ll have to do is combine the two together, serve and enjoy. With a generous side of steamed rice and naan.
Of course.
I really can’t begin to describe just how good these meatballs are. The sauce is super creamy, incredibly flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. The meatballs soak it all in, making them tender and delicious…anything but boring.
If you wanted to bump up the vegetable count, toss some spinach, cauliflower, or broccoli right into the sauce. Any of these would be great, and would add a nice pop of color too.
As mentioned, this is a great recipe for transitioning from summer to fall…it’s cozy, yet still healthy.
Oh, and it will leave your house smelling like a fall candle. The BEST! Make this soon you guys, it’s one of those recipes that’s just really really good!
If you make these 30 minutes butter chicken meatballs, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every one of you. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram so I can see! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
30 Minute Butter Chicken Meatballs
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 830 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey or chicken
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- kosher salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, more or less to taste
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 1 can (14 ounces) full fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- steamed rice and naan, for serving
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.2. Add the turkey, egg, bread crumbs, and a pinch each of salt and pepper to a bowl. Coat your hands with a bit of olive oil, and roll the meat into tablespoon size balls (will make 15-20 meatballs), placing them on the prepared baking sheet. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the meatballs are crisp and cooked through.3. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook 5 minutes or until fragrant. Add the garlic and ginger, cooking another 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.3. Stir in the garam masala, curry powder, turmeric, and cayenne and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.4. Add the tomato paste, coconut milk, and 1/2 cup water. Stir to combine, bring the sauce to a boil, cook 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly. Stir in the yogurt and butter. Add the meatballs and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro.5. Serve the meatballs and sauce over bowls of rice with fresh naan. Enjoy!
Easy and delicious! I left out the cayenne, but the rest I followed exactly- the whole family loved it! Thank you for your generosity with your recipes!!!
Hi Lynn,
Fantastic!! I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try. Have the best week! xTieghan
Family favorite! I had to omit the yogurt and spice, but it worked delightfully well.
I serve it to the kiddos with bare meatballs, sauce on the side, and they were licking up the sauce. Thanks for the great recipe!
Hey Alyssa,
Wonderful! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a lot for making it. Have the best weekend! xT
Made this tonight, outstanding! Fantastic weeknight meal!
Hey Kim,
Awesome! Thanks a lot for making this recipe. I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Happy Thursday❄️ xxT
Great recipe! I’ve made this several times and after the first time I decided to substitute half of the coconut milk for chicken broth. That swap made for a fish that was less heavy tasting. The other thing i would note is that the “30 minute” time frame is very misleading. Perhaps the “30 minute” hbh recipes would only take 30 minutes if you have a sous chef or two prepping veggies and measuring everything out but never has one of the hbh 30 minute recipes taken me 30 minutes or anything close to half an hour. And this is coming from an experienced home cook who cooks daily.
Hi Kelly,
Wonderful! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try! Sorry this took you longer than expected. Happy Holidays!?? xTieghan
Made this tonight for the fam with pre-cooked meatballs (I’m lazy), and it came out totally delicious! Warm, comforting, with all the flavors of butter chicken that hit the spot. I did end up adding a little more curry and garam masala after tasting, as it was a bit bland for my liking.
Hi Stephanie,
Wonderful! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
SO delicious and easy to make!! Definitely a keeper!
Hey Katie,
Happy Friday! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks to much for giving it a try!! xTieghan
Absolutely AMAZING!! I made this because I was craving Indian but we don’t live anywhere close to a takeout restaurant. It was soo good, better than takeout good.
Hey Rhea,
Wonderful! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Lol thought I was posting to the Indian Coconut Butter Cauliflower page! This one was also a hit haha
Thanks so much Meagan!!
A hit with my family who normally “need” some sort of meat on their plate!
Hey Meagan,
Wonderful! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Very delicious easy family meal. I was a little concerned about only seasoning the ground meat with salt and pepper. The grocery store was out of ground chicken so we used turkey. I had some Sage and thyme laying around and added a smidge to the meat. Luckily it worked with the other flavors and added a little more depth.
I would definitely recommend this recipe and make it again. It was a hit with the family. Thanks!
Hey Amy,
Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Have the best day! xTieghan
My whole family enjoyed this recipe. I will definately be making this again.
Hi Holly! Thanks so much for trying out this recipe, I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed it! 🙂 xxTieghan
This was a hit! Kids and adults loved it. I’ve tried several of your delicious recipes and this one is our favorite so far!
Hey! Thank you so much for trying out this recipe, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Happy Monday ? xTieghan
This recipe was DELICIOUS! I used ground chicken, and as I got into the recipe found I was missing a few ingredients: egg, subbed 3 TBS of Greek plain yogurt, tomato paste: subbed 1/4 c ketchup, ginger: subbed Thai seasonings mixture of ginger, cilantro, lemongrass.
Served over cauliflower rice, and will definitely make again!!! Thank you!!!
Hey! Thanks SO much for trying out this recipe, I hope you loved it! xxTieghan
This was super yummnnn!
Hey there! Thank you for trying out this recipe, I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it! 🙂 xTieghan
I absolutely LOVE your recipes. Quick question for this one: How exactly do you measure an inch of fresh ginger? Should I grate a inch-long root of ginger or cut a strip from it? I haven’t worked with ginger much so I’m unfamiliar! Thanks so much
Hi there! Either way will work, but I usually just grate about an inch long piece of it! xTieghan
Oh yum! This was perfect for a busy weeknight. The weather’s turned cold and the kids were super hungry. They gobbled it up. Next time I’ll double the ground chicken because everyone wanted second. I’ve made a lot of your recipes and this one is a family favorite.
Hi there! I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! 🙂 xTieghan