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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!
My husband and I LOVED this recipe! It was so delicious and better than I anticipated chicken meatballs to be. I didn’t realize when I clicked on the recipe that it was a curry, so I’d probably change the name to “Curry Meatballs,” but I was pleasantly surprised. We are saving this and making it again in the near future!
Hey Maddy,
Awesome!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed! xx
So good! I also added some ginger and spices to the meatballs. Added carrots to the sauce for some veg and didn’t have yogurt but didn’t miss it. A nice change from more traditional Italian style meatballs. The sauce is delicious!! Thx!
Hey Jen,
Happy Monday!! I am delighted to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try!🍁 xxT
This was so good and fast and it had really great Indian-style flavor despite it not being very spicy (I skipped the cayenne). Next time going to try with firm tofu instead of meatballs, cocojune yogurt and plant-based butter for my vegan husband. I was thinking might add some cauliflower too so as not to have to make a separate veg side.
Hey Abigail,
Happy Wednesday!👻 I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a try and sharing your feedback! xx
This was really good and would make again! I used ground turkey instead of chicken. I also added garlic and ginger and a little curry powder to the meatballs to make them more flavorful. The meatballs were tender, the sauce delicious. Don’t be like me and forget to heat up some naan bread to soak up the sauce!
Hi Melanie,
Happy Friday🍁 I appreciate you making this recipe and love to hear that it turned out well for you! xT
I’m Indian and LOVE these. So easy s s flavorful. I blend the aromatics for a smoother curry and sauté them half the time. Chef’s kiss!!!
Hi there,
Happy Monday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks for making it:) xTieghan
Made this for dinner last night and my husband who hates ground turkey had two helpings!! It was delicious and being ready in less than 30 min is a bonus. Great flavor and just enough heat. The leftovers were even better today for lunch!
Hey Wen,
Awesome!! So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! xT
Possible to sub soMethjng for the coconut milk? Thanks!
Hi there,
You can use any other milk that you enjoy:) Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
This recipe is a keeper! The sauce is INCREDIBLE and I want to put it on everything! My only small criticism is that the meatballs themselves aren’t that flavorful but I might try adding garlic, ginger or Indian spices next time for an extra layer of flavor.
Hi Helen,
Thanks for your comment and making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! Hope you’re off to a great week! ? xT
This was so good. I saw it come up on my feed and wanted to try something new. The whole family enjoyed it, and I have a 5 yo and almost 2yo! Made it along with some Naan and wow, what a hit! Thank you 😉
Hi Lauren,
Wonderful!! Love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks for sharing your review and making the recipe!! xTieghan
Do you have any tips for making these ahead? I want to serve them to my book club. We just finished a book about an Indian immigrant family living in America. Also wondered if I could keep them warm in a crockpot for serving.
Hey Denise,
I think keeping them on warm in the crockpot would work well for you! Let me know how the recipe turns out, I hope it’s a winner! xTieghan
Hey Tieghan! Did a trial run on the meatballs. They were so good. I loved the combination of flavors. Any tips on blending the sauce so that it doesn’t appear grainy?
Hey Denise,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! Hmmm what do you mean by grainy? Is there anything you adjusted in the recipe? xT
No. Not at all. “Grainy” was an unfortunate term. I think adding the cold yogurt and still seeing some flecks of it in the sauce is what I mean. Your sauce just looks creamier than mine looked. I want all ingredients well blended. The sauce was delicious though!
Ahhh yes, make sure your yogurt is room temp next time!
Made this tonight!! Thank you for posting it! It was delicous!! Someone just went back for seconds! 😀
The directions are very clear and it really does take 30 min! I did let it simmer in the pot for another hour to let the flavor meld. Can’t wait to try another recipe on this site!!
Hey Anita,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try and sharing your feedback! I love to hear that it was a hit! xTieghan
Loved this recipe ! It was so delicious, creamy and satisfying. I loved how the chicken meatballs came out even without sauce ! I will definitely be looking for more of your meatball recipes to try. Thank you! I actually had lots of left over sauce- so i made a second batch the next day. I served with cauliflower gnocci the first day and roasted cauliflower the next for a more low carb meal.
Hey Danielle,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try and sharing your review:) xxTieghan
I could drink the sauce it’s so good!
Hey Alisha,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a lot for trying it out! ☀️xx
Is there a substitute for the coconut milk I can use?
Hi Sarita,
You can use another milk that you enjoy! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Another hit! We especially love the sauces that make your recipes so delicious. And this one was no exception.
I can see this sauce making its way into the rotation.
Hey Marcia,
I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xxT
So delicious + easy to make! The sauce is very flavorful and meatballs are nice and tender. The only change I made was adding some chopped green onion and cilantro to the meatballs to add a little texture and flavor to them. I served it with wild rice, sauteed spinach & kale, peas and plain yogurt. Perfect!!
Hi Sarah,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! Have the best weekend:) xTieghan