Coconut Curry Chicken Meatballs – So Tender, So Creamy, So Addictive!
These coconut curry chicken meatballs are everything your taste buds have been waiting for – tender, juicy, and swimming in a silky, fragrant coconut curry sauce that’s packed with flavor. This dish is a comforting bowl of warmth that’s surprisingly easy to make but tastes like something from a fancy restaurant.
Whether you serve it with rice, noodles, or warm naan bread, this one’s going to steal the spotlight at dinner time. Let’s dive into this flavorful masterpiece!
Ingredients:
For the meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for browning)
For the coconut curry sauce:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp red curry paste
- 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp fish sauce or soy sauce (optional)
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined – don’t overwork it.
- Form into small meatballs using your hands or a scoop.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and brown on all sides (they don’t need to be fully cooked through yet). Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add a bit more oil if needed. Sauté the onion until soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in red curry paste and cook for another minute to release its flavor.
- Pour in coconut milk, brown sugar, and fish sauce. Stir well.
- Return meatballs to the skillet. Cover and simmer on low heat for 12–15 minutes, or until meatballs are fully cooked and the sauce is rich and creamy.
- Squeeze lime juice over the top and garnish with cilantro.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – serves 4):
| Calories | 410 kcal |
| Protein | 24 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Fat | 32 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 510 mg |
Printable Recipe Summary
| Coconut Curry Chicken Meatballs | |
|---|---|
| Main Ingredients | Ground chicken, red curry paste, coconut milk, garlic, ginger |
| Steps | Make and brown meatballs, simmer in curry coconut sauce until fully cooked |
| Best Served With | Steamed rice, jasmine rice, or warm naan bread |
FAQs
Q: Can I use turkey instead of chicken?
Yes, ground turkey works just as well and keeps the dish equally flavorful.
Q: Can I make this dish dairy-free?
It already is! Coconut milk replaces cream, making it a great dairy-free option.
Q: Is it spicy?
It has a mild kick from the red curry paste. For more heat, add red pepper flakes or a chopped chili.
Q: Can I freeze it?
Yes! Freeze the meatballs and sauce together in a container. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth or water.
