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These Coconut Curry Chicken Meatballs with Garlic Butter are full of fresh, spicy, salty, tangy, flavors, and so simple. Made with flavorful Thai red curry paste, creamy coconut milk, and a quick homemade curry powder. The meatballs are seasoned, mixed, rolled, baked until crispy, and then served in a creamy curry sauce with spicy chili garlic butter. A side of rice soaks up all that yummy curry sauce, so delicious with fresh herbs and lime. I canโt wait for you to try these curry meatballs!
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You know my oldest brother Creighton is influencing my recipes whenever I share meatballs. I used to hate making meatballs, but heโs helped me see the light. I try to get creative with them any time I feel like I need to switch my recipes up a bit.
Iโve been craving nothing but color for the last few weeks. The picture/dream I have in my head every day is this โ I want everything I make and share with you to be bright, fresh, full of herbs, and in general the most delicious recipe youโll make that week. Like the most delicious.
Ingredients
- Ground chicken or ground porkย or ground beef
- Spicy curry powderย
- Tamari or soy sauceย
- Shallotย
- Kosher salt and black pepperย
- Chili flakes
- Extra virgin olive oilย
- Salted butterย
- Thai red curry pasteย
- Fresh grated gingerย
- Orange or red bell peppersย
- Canned full-fat coconut milkย
- Fish sauceย
- Chopped Thai basil or cilantroย
- Garlic clovesย
- Limesย โ lime wedges for lime juice
Kitchen Supplies
- Baking sheetย
- Parchment paperย
- large bowl ย
- Large skilletย
- Tablespoons and teaspoonsย
- Measuring cupsย
- Serving platesย
- Paper towelsย
Itโs a high-achieving, high-expectation approach, but I want everything to be pretty and yummy!!
Itโs difficult to execute though. Food changes quickly, the light moves, and being creative can be hard, but some recipes, like this one, just work. I adore this recipe, the simplicity of it, and the color. Itโs not my prettiest recipe, but all the color, the ease, and the flavor is here.
Iโm excited to share this recipe, itโs so delicious!!!
Details
Usually, Iโll order spicy curry powder on Amazon, but when Iโm out, I always make my own curry blend. It takes 5 extra minutes, but I always love customizing the spices. I add lots of cumin and ginger with a touch of paprika, cayenne, and cinnamon, itโs the perfect blend.
I shared the recipe in the notes, I use it a lot for chicken and salmon. Of course, you can also just use store-bought spicy curry powder. Iโd add some cayenne or chili flakes to make it spicer!
Mix the meatballs, I love using a mixture of ground chicken and ground pork. Add the curry powder, a drizzle of Tamari, shallots, and black pepper to the meat. You donโt need to add garlic since thatโs going in the butter!
Once the meatballs are mixed, bake until crispy. This is my favorite easy, mess-free, way to cook any kind of meatball. No splattering!
I kept the sauce really simple: butter, ginger, and lots of Thai red curry paste. Coconut milk keeps it creamy, and tamari adds a little salty flavor.
Finish cooking the meatballs over medium-high heat in the curry sauce so they stay really tender and flavorful.
The last step is the garlic butter. Brown the butter, garlic, and chili flakes until the butter turns golden and the garlic crisps. Drizzle the garlic butter over the meatballs just before serving. It makes every bite melt in your mouth.
Serve the meatballs and sauce over rice with lots of chopped cilantro or try some Thai basil.
This is such a simple, wholesome, and delicious meal. Love that!
Looking for other dinner recipes? Here are my favorites:ย
Black Pepper Chicken and Bacon Quesadillas with Avocado Basil Ranch
Thai Black Pepper Chicken and Garlic Noodles
One Pot Stove-Top Mac and Cheese
Honey Garlic Salmon Soba Noodle Bowls
Coconut Milk Braised Black Pepper Chicken
Coconut Curry Salmon with Garlic Butter
Lastly, if you make this Coconut Curry Chicken Meatballs with Garlic Butter, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, donโt forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Coconut Curry Chicken Meatballs with Garlic Butter
Ingredientsย
- 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken or ground pork
- 1-2 tablespoons spicy curry powder
- 3 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
- 1 shallot, chopped
- kosher salt and black pepper
- chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 1/4 cup Thai red curry paste
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 2 orange or red bell peppers, sliced
- 2 cups canned full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce, (or soy sauce)
- 1/2 cup chopped Thai basil, or cilantro
- 3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
- limes, for serving
Instructionsย
- 1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.2. Add the chicken, curry powder, shallot, 1 tablespoon tamari/soy, salt, and pepper to a bowl. Mix until just combined. Coat your hands with a bit of oil, and roll the meat into tablespoon-size balls (will make 15-20 meatballs) placing them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, until the meatballs are crisp.3. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt together 1 tablespoon butter, the curry paste, and ginger. Cook, 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Add the peppers, coconut milk, 3 tablespoons tamari/soy sauce, and fish sauce. Slide the meatballs into the sauce and simmer 5 minutes, or until cooked through. 4. Meanwhile, melt 5 tablespoons butter, the garlic, and a pinch of chili flakes. Cook until the butter is browning and the garlic crisps.5. Serve the meatballs and sauce over bowls of rice. Drizzle the butter over the meatballs and top with basil or cilantro.
Notes
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2-1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
kosher salt and black pepper Mix everything to combine. Makes 2-3 tablespoons.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Great recipe! First time making thai curry and I’m happy with the results. I substituted thai red curry sauce with some DIY harissa (yeah, I know, but I don’t use red curry paste at all and didn’t see the point in buying it- and my harissa is already the level of spice that I like). Regardless the recipe turned out fantastic even if it doesn’t taste quite like it’s supposed to. Will be trying out more recipes from here.
Thanks so much, Fatima:) So glad to hear this recipe was a hit, I appreciate you making it! Happy Sunday!
I tried this and like the idea of a Thai-inspired meatball dish, but wouldnโt make it again, sorry. I found some ingredients were out of proportion – i.e. the amount of cumin was overpowering, as was the red curry paste, and too much salty ingredients added in at different points made for very salty meatballs and sauce. I also decided against the brown butter and crispy garlic drizzle, as things already seemed overly rich. This wasnโt to my tastes, but thanks so much for putting this great idea out there!
Hi Chris,
Thanks for trying this dish and sharing your feedback, sorry to hear it was not enjoyed. Please let me know if there is anything that I can help with! xx
Very delicious, loved this meal! Very flavorful!
Hey Sarina,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe turned out nicely for you, thanks for making it! Have a great weekend:) xT
This recipe is an absolute winner. I’m doing it again this weekend for some friends. What’s the flower in the pictures? Is it edible and easy to find in stores or online?
Thanks so much Nora!! Glad you enjoyed this recipe:) Yes, I order them from Gourmet Sweet Botanicals, they have lots of options! xT
This recipe has become a weeknight staple and Iโve made it more than 5 times in the past few months. If you love Thai flavours, you will love this! Sometimes I skip the garlic butter just to make it quicker and I still love it, but it really adds to the flavour of the dish. So well balanced with so so much flavour!
Hi Alyssa,
I am so glad you have been enjoying this recipe so often, thanks for making it! xT
Amazing flavors!! And perfect for a Sunday supper. I left off the butter on mine as didnโt feel it was needed and only adds extra calories but otherwise followed recipe to a T. Topped with cilantro – delicious!
Hi Ellie! Thank you so so much! Love to hear that you enjoyed this recipe ๐ xT
Always love your renditions of Asian and Indian dishes. I was wondering with the spicy curry powder recipeโฆdid you use cumin instead of turmeric? Or maybe forgot to add turmeric? I always thought curry was made with turmeric. Thanks!
Made it last night, so yummy. I doubled the recipe and also added spinach for a little more color.
Thank you so much for trying out the recipe! xT
Hi,
this recipe looks so delicious. Do you think I could substitute at least some portion of the butter with olive oil? Thanks!
Hey Christina! Yes, that should be fine! xT
I made it this week and me and my partner both loved it very much. I will definitely do it again.
Thanks sooo much for trying out the recipe! I hope it was a hit! xT