Chicken Meatball Tikka Masala

You cannot go wrong with this chicken meatball tikka masala recipe! Ground chicken meatballs seasoned with ginger, garlic and scallions then simmered in a spicy garam masala tikka sauce!

I make this chicken masala dish all the time, but sometimes we need to switch things up. So I made a dish with similar flavors but in meatball form. I wanted to keep the flavors in check because I've had Indian spiced meatballs that are over powering in spices. So the meatballs are full of fresh herbs but no ground spices. And the tikka sauce is seasoned with ground masala (or spices). I think this actually helps to balance the flavors of the entire dish.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

• Ground Chicken
• Veggies: Ginger, Garlic, Scallions, Cilantro
• Breadcrumbs: I like to use panko bread crumbs but you can use any type of bread crumbs. I think they help to create a nice tender texture, they help to soak up the extra moisture in the ground meat
• Vinegar - I like to use apple cider vinegar in cooking. I think it adds a nice sweet flavor in addition to the acidic note from the vinegar.
• Seasoning: Salt & Pepper

For the Tikka Masala Sauce

• Veggies: Onions, Tomatoes, Garlic, Green Chili Peppers
• Spices: Cumin, Garam Masala, Turmeric, Red Chili Powder
• Tomato Paste
• Seasoning: Salt, Pepper, Sugar (optional, if needed to balance out the flavors)
• Garnishes: Cilantro, Scallion (just the greens)

How to make Chicken Meatball Tikka Masala

1. Make the Meatballs. Combine the ground chicken with fresh ginger, garlic, cilantro and scallions. Also add in breadcrumbs, vinegar, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly (use either your hands or a rubber spatula for best results). Form into meatballs, brown the meatballs in a large skillet with oil. Make sure the meatballs are browned on all sides before removing from the skillet.
2. Make the Tikka Masala Sauce. In the same skillet as the meatballs were cooked (no need to rinse the skillet!) and a little more oil and whole cumin seeds. The cumin will flavor the oil. Once the cumin is browned, add the onions, tomatoes, garlic, green chili peppers, tomato paste. Also add in the spices: garam masala, turmeric, red chili powder, salt and pepper. Add a little water to help the veggies cook down. Cook for 15-20 minutes. If you want a smooth sauce, I suggest blending the sauce with an immersion blender.
3. Combine & Enjoy! Add in the browned chicken meatballs to the sauce, cover and cook for 5-10 minutes to make sure the meatballs are fully cooked through in the sauce. Top with cilantro and scallions and serve with warm basmati rice or naan.

You might also be interested in: Shrimp Tikka Masala with Gobi Grits, Tikka Masala Stuffed Shells, Weeknight Masala Chicken

📖 Recipe

Chicken Meatball Tikka Masala (no cream)

Ginger, garlic, scallion chicken meatballs, simmered in a garam masala tomato sauce! Chicken meatball tikka masala is the most flavored packed, but so easy to make dinner!

5 from 44 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 290 kcal

Ingredients

  

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Chicken Meatballs

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 2 teaspoons grated ginger fresh ginger
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced scallion
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar any vinegar will work, lemon juice can also be substituted
• 1 tablespoon oil for cooking the meatballs
• salt & pepper to taste

Tikka Masala Sauce (no cream)

• 2 teaspoons oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 3 medium tomatoes finely chopped or crushed
• 1 teaspoon garlic
• 1-3 green chili peppers adjust according to your preferred level of heat
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• ¼ teaspoon red chili powder adjust according to your preferred level of heat
• salt & pepper to taste
• cilantro & scallion greens for garnish

Instructions

 

Meatballs

• In a mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken with fresh ginger, garlic, cilantro and scallions. Also add in breadcrumbs, vinegar, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly. Use either your hands or a rubber spatula for best results.
• Heat oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Form the ground chicken mixture into meatballs, place into skillet.
• Brown the meatballs in a large skillet with oil. Make sure the meatballs are browned on all sides before removing from the skillet. Set aside the meatballs

Tikka Masala Sauce (no cream)

• In the same skillet as the meatballs were cooked (no need to rinse the skillet!) add a little more oil and whole cumin seeds. Once the cumin is browned, add the onions, cook for 1 minute.
• Add in the tomatoes, garlic, green chili peppers and cook for another 2 minutes. Add in the spices and tomato paste. Add a little water (½ cup) to help the veggies cook down. Cook for 15-20 minutes. If you want a smooth sauce, I suggest blending the sauce with an immersion blender.
• Return the browned chicken meatballs to the skillet into the sauce, cover and cook for 5-10 minutes to make sure the meatballs are fully cooked through in the sauce. Top with cilantro and scallions and serve with warm basmati rice or naan.

Nutrition

Calories: 290kcal

Keyword chicken meatball tikka masala, meatball tikka masala,

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