This scrumptious, saucy dish features the most tender, delicious chicken meatballs smothered in a creamy and perfectly seasoned butter chicken sauce. The flavour is incredible and they are quick and easy; taking only 35 minutes to make. You're going to love these butter chicken meatballs!
This cozy dish makes a wonderful autumn meal. The spices will smell amazing while you're cooking it too. Enjoy it as a main dish with warm toasted naan bread, rice or buttery orzo to scoop up the delicious sauce. Or serve the meatballs as an appetizer at your next get-together.
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It's not very spicy at all, so these are great for those who don't love heat. They are fairly healthy as well; made with lean chicken and a variety of Indian spices that are packed with health benefits. As if you needed another reason to make them.
Looking for more chicken recipes? If you enjoy Thai food, Thai basil chicken is a delicious and easy stir fry that is super popular for good reason.
Ingredients
- Ground chicken
- Panko
- Olive oil
- Yellow onion
- Garlic
- Tomato purée (tomato passata) - This ingredient is raw and it is not the same as tomato sauce which comes already cooked. If you can't find it, use a blender to make your own by puréeing canned tomatoes.
- Fresh ginger
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Full-fat, plain yogurt
- Heavy cream
- Egg
- Kosher salt
- Pepper
- Spices - Ground coriander, garam masala, cumin, tumeric powder, and chili powder.
- Granulated sugar
See the recipe card below for quantities.
Substitutions
Ground chicken - You can substitute with ground turkey in this recipe.
Variations
Add veg - If you want to add even more nutrients to this dish, try tossing in some chopped, cooked vegetables. Cauliflower or broccoli are great for this.
Instructions
Preheat oven to 450°F / 230°C. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, mix meatball ingredients together. Form into rounded tablespoon-size meatballs and place on the prepared tray. Food prep gloves or some olive oil on your hands will make forming the meatballs easier.
Bake the meatballs for 15 minutes. They should be cooked through (with an internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C) and a bit crispy on the outside.
In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the tomato purée, yogurt, ginger, ground coriander, lemon juice, garam masala, tumeric, cumin, and chili powder. Set this sauce mixture aside for now.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook onion for a few minutes until it starts to become translucent. Then stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Stir in the sauce mixture. Bring it just to a boil, then stir in the cream, sugar and salt. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Mix the cooked meatballs into the sauce and simmer for another 5 minutes. Then taste test and add salt to your preference. Serve immediately.
What to serve it with
Here are some great options for what to serve with your butter chicken meatballs for a tasty meal:
- Rice - basmati is the traditional choice for butter chicken
- Naan bread - a match made in heaven
- Buttery orzo - or another kind of pasta
- Sub roll - try something different by making your own butter chicken meatball sub sandwich
- Garnish of fresh cilantro
Equipment
To make this recipe you will need the following:
Storage
Store leftover butter chicken meatballs (if there are any) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
FAQ
Chicken meatballs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C.
In the Indian language butter chicken is called 'murgh makhani.' Makhani means 'with butter' and refers to a dish cooked in a rich butter or cream sauce.
No, butter chicken contains spices but it is not spicy. The spice level is very mild so it is typically fine for those who can't handle spice.
Butter chicken sauce is tomato-based with mild, savoury spices and creamy dairy.
Butter chicken has a tomato-based sauce that is mildly spiced and creamy. Tikka masala, another tomato-based dish, contains similar ingredients to butter chicken but is spicier and has a stronger spice flavour. Vindaloo, on the other hand, is not traditionally cooked with tomatoes. Instead, it has a strong kick and a very spicy flavour that is slightly sour from the addition of vinegar.
📖 Recipe
Butter Chicken Meatballs
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 15-20 meatballs 1x
- Category: Main dish
- Cuisine: Indian
Description
Tender chicken meatballs in a creamy and savoury butter chicken sauce. This take on the popular Indian dish is absolutely delicious! And it's not very spicy at all, so it's great for those who don't love heat.
Ingredients
Meatballs:
1 pound (454 g) ground chicken
½ cup (30 g) panko
1 large egg
½ tsp kosher salt
⅛ tsp pepper
Sauce:
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup (237 ml) tomato purée (tomato passata)*
⅓ cup (82 g) full-fat, plain yogurt
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon ginger, freshly grated
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon garam masala
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon tumeric powder
¼ teaspoon chilli powder
¾ cup (177 ml) heavy cream
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Serve with:
basmati rice
naan bread
Instructions
Preheat oven to 450°F / 230°C. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, mix meatball ingredients together. Form into rounded tablespoon-size meatballs and place on the prepared tray. Food prep gloves or some olive oil on your hands will make forming the meatballs easier.
Bake the meatballs for 15 minutes. They should be cooked through (with an internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C) and a bit crispy on the outside.
In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the tomato purée, yogurt, ginger, ground coriander, lemon juice, garam masala, tumeric, cumin, and chilli powder. Set this sauce mixture aside for now.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook onion for a few minutes until it starts to become translucent. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Stir in the sauce mixture. Bring it just to a boil, then stir in the cream, sugar and salt. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Mix the cooked meatballs into the sauce and simmer for another 5 minutes. Taste test and add salt to your preference. Serve immediately.
Notes
* Tomato purée (tomato passata) is not the same as tomato sauce. If you can't find it, use a blender to purée canned tomatoes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 323
- Sugar: 6.8 g
- Sodium: 526.7 mg
- Fat: 19.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 15.9 g
- Protein: 21.6 g
- Cholesterol: 121.6 mg
Keywords: butter chicken meatballs
Shannon says
Love this recipe! I will definitely make this again.
Asha says
That's great! Thanks Shannon
Lea says
Hi Asha,
Thanks for sharing, just sucessfully made a batch now..healthy and delicious 🙂
Cheers,
Lea
Asha says
Hi Lea, thanks for letting me know. So glad you liked them! 🙂
Charissa says
Scrumptious. Also surprisingly tender.
Asha says
Thank you 🙂 Yes they are so soft. I love them
Colleen says
One of the best recipes I tasted for these.I tried a few.
Asha says
Thanks so much!
Toni says
I tripled the recipe for a family get-togetehr. Everyone of them asked for a second helping.
Asha says
Good thing you made extra. So glad that your family enjoyed them. Thank you for leaving a review
Barb S. says
HMMMM Savour the flavour. Luv it.
Asha says
Glad you love it, I do too ❤️
Taylor says
My new - yummy - comfort food.
Asha says
Thanks for the review 🙂
Ben says
I made these on the weekend. The flavour is superb!!
Asha says
Thanks so much!
Gaby says
Wow - this is a great recipe. Love how easy it is to prepare.
Asha says
Thanks so much. I love these meatballs too.
Melanie says
Great recipe. My fussy pre-teens didn't even complain like they usually do trying something new. In fact they gobbled them up quickly. That's definitely a thumbs up.
Asha says
Thanks for sharing 🙂 It's very easy to love a good butter chicken. Glad they approved!
Gavin says
These meatballs are delicious. Will be making again and again.
Asha says
Thanks so much!
Mary says
Fabulous. I made these with wild rice. Loved the combination.
Asha says
Thank you. That sounds delicious 🙂
Gracie says
This meal was delightful. So easy. Will be one of my go-to recipes.
Asha says
Thank you! I love this dish too.
Stacie says
How many meatballs are in 1 serving please? Will be making these very soon.
Asha says
Hi Stacie, I find that around four meatballs makes a good sized serving, though it depends on your appetite. Enjoy!
Caroline says
How Important is the Garam masala in this dish? Could cumin and allspice substitute effectively?
Asha says
Hi Caroline, your substitute of cumin with allspice will get you pretty close flavour-wise. I recommend using 1 part cumin and 1/4 part allspice. There may be a slight difference but the dish will still be delicious.
Vanessa says
Such a family friendly meal! I'll definitely be making these again!
Asha says
Thank you, appreciate it! 🙂
Colleen says
We loved these butter chicken meatballs and I will for sure be making them again. Great recipe, thank you!
Asha says
Thank you for the kind words ❤️
Kristen says
Our kids love butter chicken and meatballs so this was a no brainer for us to try out and needless to say it was a hit! Thanks for sharing.
Asha says
Thanks so much, that's so great to hear!
Bernice says
I'm never not craving meatballs so when I saw this post, I had to make it immediately. I am really happy with how they turned out. Next time I'm making a double batch!!
Asha says
Awesome to hear, thank you!
Marie-Pierre Breton says
Yum! This was so delicious, and I love a light chicken meatball for once, with extra flavor!
Asha says
Thank you! ❤️