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Treat your taste buds to Butter Chicken Meatballs served over rice with naan bread. The flavorful recipe infuses ground chicken meatballs with a mouth watering garlic, ginger, turmeric, garam masala, and curry powder sauce.

Delicious and easy to make butter chicken meatballs
Are you in the mood for an easy to make but extremely flavorful dinner recipe? Look no further. These butter chicken meatballs could practically be made with your eyes closed! They come together with hardly any effort, but they don’t taste like it. Between the onion and chicken base and the 7-spice sauce, these meatballs are definitely not lacking in the flavor department.
This recipe yields 20 meatballs, and I love to enjoy them served over rice with fresh cilantro and a side of naan! Give them a go โ you’re sure to love this dish!
Ingredients in this butter chicken meatball recipe
This recipe uses two sets of ingredients: those for the meatballs, and those for the sauce. For the meatballs, we’ll use a combination of ground chicken, yellow onion, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and olive oil. The sauce comes together with a bunch of spices that create the most delicious meatball finish!
Meatballs
- Ground chicken: First up for the meatballs is 1 lb of ground chicken. If preferred, feel free to use ground turkey.
- Yellow onion: Next up, 1/4 of a large yellow onion will thicken up the meatball mixture while adding great flavor. Use a grater to grate the onion before adding to the mix.
- Egg: 1 large egg will help the ingredients bind together properly.
- Breadcrumbs: Next, 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs will help thicken up the meatballs.
- Salt & pepper: Add flavor with 1 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of pepper.
- Olive oil: Last but not least, 2 tbsp of olive oil will be needed to cook the meatballs.
Sauce
- Butter: The sauce kicks off with 4 tbsp of butter, divided.
- Onion: From there, dice up 1/2 of an onion. This will thicken up the sauce while adding tasty flavors.
- Spices: Flavor the sauce with the following spices: 5 cloves of minced garlic, 1 tbsp of fresh grated ginger, 1/2 tsp of turmeric, 1 tbsp of garam masala, 2 tbsp of curry powder, 1 tsp of salt, and 1/2 tsp of pepper.
- Tomato paste: Follow the spices with 6 oz of tomato paste.
- Milk: Then, thicken up the sauce with 1.5 cups of whole milk. You can also use coconut milk!
- Chicken stock: Round out the sauce with 1/2 cup of chicken stock or water.
When ready to enjoy, serve over rice with naan and sprinkle on fresh cilantro as a garnish. Enjoy!
Tools needed to make this butter chicken meatballs recipe
This recipe comes together with the use of about 7 kitchen tools. Below are the items you should grab before you begin:
- Cutting board
- Cutting knife
- Large mixing bowl
- Plate or baking sheet
- Stirring utensil
- Large skillet
- Whisk
To measure ingredients, you will need the following sized measuring cups: 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.
How to make butter chicken meatballs
This recipe yields 20 delicious meatballs. I find that 3-4 makes for a satisfying serving, which means this dish is great for a crowd of 4-5! Prep time is about 30 minutes.
To begin, grab a large mixing bowl and combine the chicken, onion, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. It may be easiest to use your hands to mix.
Then, roll the mixture into 20 meatballs and set them on a plate or baking sheet.
Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the meatballs and cook for about 6-7 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165ยฐF. Turn the meatballs every minute or so in order to get all of the sides cooked. Once cooked, set the meatballs aside on a clean plate.
Reduce the heat in the pan to medium and add 2 tbsp butter. Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, or the onion begins to soften. Then, add the garlic and ginger followed by the turmeric, garam masala, curry powder, salt, and pepper.
Immediately add the tomato paste, and then whisk in the whole milk until totally smooth. Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a light simmer. Once lightly simmering, add the remaining 2 tbsp of butter. Let the sauce thicken and bubble for 5 minutes, stirring throughout.
Add the meatballs back into the sauce and toss to coat. Let the meatballs simmer for 5 more minutes before serving.
Serve over rice (or riced cauliflower) and with naan, and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
What is the secret to firm meatballs?
Surprisingly, eggs! We use an egg in this recipe to help the meatballs achieve the right texture and firmness. The egg works to bind together all of the ingredients and create the meatball shape.
What goes well with butter chicken?
You can enjoy butter chicken meatballs with a variety of dishes. Some favorites include rice and naan, but you can also enjoy them with mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, sweet potatoes, cornbread sausage stuffing, or brussels sprout salad!
Storing leftovers
Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. Enjoy refrigerated meatballs within 2-3 days and frozen meatballs within 1 month. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
Want to enjoy some more meatball variations this week? Here are some easy recipes to try!
- Healthier Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- Healthy Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki
- Chicken Piccata Meatballs
- Healthy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa
Butter Chicken Meatballs
Treat your taste buds to Butter Chicken Meatballs served over rice with naan bread. The flavorful recipe infuses ground chicken meatballs with a mouth watering garlic, ginger, turmeric, garam masala, and curry powder sauce.
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1lb ground chicken
- 1/4 large yellow onion, grated
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil for frying
Sauce:
- 4 tbsp butter, divided
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1 tbsp garam masala
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 6oz can tomato paste
- 1.5 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup chicken stock (or water)
- serve with rice and naan and sprinkle cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together chicken, grated onion, egg, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper. I use my hands.
- Roll into 20 meatballs and set on plate.
- Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat and add olive oil. Once hot, add meatballs and cook about 6-7 minutes or when internal is 165F, turning the meatballs every minute or so in order to get all sides cooked. Set meatballs aside on clean plate.
- Reduce heat in pan to medium and add 2 tbsp butter. Add in diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until beginning to soften. Add in garlic and ginger. Then add in turmeric, garam masala, curry powder, salt, and pepper.
- Immediately add in tomato paste, then whisk in whole milk until totally smooth. Pour in chicken stock and bring to a light simmer. Once lightly simmering, add remaining 2 tbsp butter. Let sauce thicken and bubble for 5 minutes, stirring throughout.
- Add meatballs back into sauce and toss to coat. Let meatballs simmer 5 more minutes before serving.
- Serve over rice and with naan!
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Amber says
I just made this last night. It’s so delicious. I made the recipe exactly as is using coconut milk, and it was so yummy. I used Trader Joe’s frozen jasmine rice and garlic naan, and it was delicious.
monique says
I added all the same seasonings that go into the sauce into the meatball omg this was a family hit. Im a true erin lives whole follower, i make soo many meals every week from your website. this is amazing, ironically i never had butter chicken and this was amazing esp with some quinoa or white rice. my toddler absolutely loves this and asks for more
Erin says
Hi Monique, so happy everyone enjoyed them so much!! ๐
Lilly says
This may be my favorite meal Iโve ever made!! 10000x better than any Indian takeout I couldโve ordered. Super easy to make! I love the meatballs too
Erin says
Hi Lilly, so happy you loved it so much! ๐
Kimberly says
loveeee these and so easy to make! I pair them with Trader Joes rice, a veggie and Garlic Naan- the quickest lunch/dinner and so delicious!
Erin says
Hi Kimberly, so glad you loved them and great idea! ๐
Rachael says
This recipe was amazing! My husband and I both really enjoyed it. The balance of spices was fantastic and the sauce was delicious. We will def be making again.
Erin says
Hi Rachael, so happy you both loved them! ๐
Jazmine says
Hi! Iโm dairy free. Can a non dairy milk be subbed for whole?
Erin says
Hi Jazmine, yep! Let me know how your meatballs come out!!
Jaime Lyon says
Made these tonight, so delicious! Served them with basmati rice and Trader Joeโs garlic naan – better than take out!
Erin says
Hi Jaime, so happy you loved them and great meal! ๐
Nicky says
These are delicious! Super easy to make and full of flavor!
Erin says
Hi Nicky, so happy you loved them!!
Christina says
5 stars as written for sure. But I made it again today and added some turmeric, garam masala, and curry to the meatballs and whewwww that made it another level! Also baked the meatballs cause too lazy to cook batches in the pan LOL. Sooo delicious and easy. Def in the regular rotation!
Erin says
Hi Christina, so happy you loved them and made them your own! ๐
Melissa Cacace says
Made this tonight for me and my husband. We both loved it and I will definitely be making this again. It was delicious and we both felt satiated. Canโt wait to try some of your other recipes โบ๏ธ
Erin says
Hi Melissa, so happy you both loved them! ๐
Carrie Rollison says
Unreal deliciousness that I cannot believe came from my own kitchen! I will make this repeatedly. I didnโt have breadcrumbs on hand so I used crushed pork rinds, a keto/gf option and they turned out great.
Erin says
Hi Carrie, so happy you loved them so much and made them your own! ๐
Kelli says
Delish! Easy to make and full of flavor. I made the meatballs earlier in the day and then make the sauce at dinner time for a quick meal.
Erin says
Hi Kelli, so happy you loved them! ๐
Emily says
LOVE IT! Who needs takeout when you can make these?! I used half as much curry powder because I ran out mid-recipe and subbed heavy cream for whole milk because that’s what I had. Scrumptious.
Erin says
Hi Emily, so happy you love them so much and made them your own!!
Nina says
Wow this was delicious!! I couldnโt get enough of the sauce and just wish I had some naan to soak it up! My kids LOVED the meatballs as well! Great family meal for the week day! I didnโt have garam masala so I made my own with cumin, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, and coriander. Also didnโt have whole milk so did 1 cup of 2% and 1/2 cup of whipping cream.
Erin says
Hi Nina, so happy everyone loved them and you made them your own! ๐
Sam says
These are absolutely insane. I am OBSESSED.
Erin says
Hi Sam, so happy you loved them! ๐
Lauren says
I subbed for gf breadcrumbs and the chicken balls didnโt stay together well โน๏ธ I still devoured it!
Erin says
Hi Lauren, so sorry but GF breadcrumbs just don’t work the same unfortunately. So happy you still loved the meatballs! ๐
Kelly says
Looks yummy! Going to make this weekend. Can you sub almond flour for breadcrumbs and ghee for butter?
Erin says
Hi Kelly, I haven’t tried those subs but feel free to try it and let me know how the meatballs come out!
Kara says
Loved this recipe! Added some extra veggies (potatoes, broccoli & spinach) which was yummy! Will be making again. Thank you!
Erin says
Hi Kara, so happy you love it and great idea! ๐
Rachael says
These came out amazing!! Me and my husband loved them; they will definitely be on our rotation. I love Indian food, but haven’t dared to make it at home, these were so easy and had such authentic flavors. Would definitely recommend, and will absolutely make again.
Erin says
Hi Rachael, so happy you both loved them so much!! ๐
Trudie says
I love these! I am a big fan of Trader Joeโs frozen butter chicken and this sauce beats that for sure! Delicious all around. I figure store separately from the rice overnight? But more Indian-inspired recipes please!!
Erin says
Hi Trudie, so happy you loved them!