This is such an easy twist on the all time favorite: Chicken Tikka Masala! You most definitely will not find these at your local Indian restaurant. But by turning them into meatballs, it makes for super quick prep for the chicken. No need to worry about marination and grilling to get the perfect flavor imposed into the chicken. Just lightly season the ground chicken and add it to your Tikka Masala sauce = Chicken Tikka Masala Meatballs!
I think this actually makes preparing an tikka masala entree so much easier and quicker that you may be able to make this weekday meal!
The Meatballs
I just added an egg, breadcrumbs, cilantro, garlic, ginger, a touch of garam masala and turmeric to ground chicken for the meatballs. Also don't forget to season with salt! Mix this until well combined.
I use some oil on my hands to help prevent the chicken from sticking to my hands while forming the balls. Then just pan fry the meatballs, should not take more than 10 minutes on medium heat.
The Sauce
The Tikka Masala sauce recipe here is a pretty standard recipe. The main change was that I added a can of coconut milk instead of heavy cream to the sauce. I think it really helps to give the sauce a nice creaminess with a more balanced flavor than when I've make tikka masala without it.
Saute some onions, tomatoes, jalapenos in melted butter and oil. Add minced garlic, grated ginger, some more garam masala, turmeric, chili pepper, black pepper and salt. Then just add in the coconut milk along with about a half of cup of water.
To get it to a nice smooth consistency, blend with an immersion blender. Add the chicken meatballs to the sauce and let the flavors marry for a few minutes.
Serve over rice and with warm buttered naan!
This chicken tikka masala meatballs comes together much quicker than your normal tikka masala entree so you'll be able to have dinner ready in no time!
Ideas: If regular white rice is too plain for you, you can also try serving with Indian fried rice (link below):
Indian Fried Rice (Vagharelo Bhaat)
Chicken Tikka Masala Meatballs
Ingredients
Chicken Meatballs
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 egg
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
Tikka Masala Sauce
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 onion diced
- 1 tomato chopped
- 1 jalapeno diced
- 2 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon chili power optional
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 2 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 13.5 oz coconut milk
- ½ cup water
Instructions
Chicken Meatballs
- Combine all ingredients for the chicken meatballs into a mixing bowl. Stir together to distribute all of the spices and herbs throughout the ground chicken.
- Heat oil in a pan. Grease your hands, take about a 1 tablespoon of the chicken mixture and form into a ball.
- Add meatballs to the pan. Lower the heat or remove from heat before you add the meatballs, you do not want to burn the meatballs as you are forming them.
- Cook the meatballs on medium high heat. Flip as it cooks to brown evenly. Cover the meatballs after the meatballs have browned on the outside
- The meatballs should be done after 10 minutes of cooking time, if they are about a tablespoon sized.
- Remove from heat and set aside for Tikka Masala Sauce
Tikka Masala Sauce
- Add oil and butter to a large sauce pan. Once butter melts and combines with oil, add cumin seeds.
- Once the cumin seeds have browned slightly, add the onions, tomato, and jalapeno. Stir and cook for about 2 - 3 minutes.
- Add the spices and cook for another minute.
- Add the coconut milk and the water. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Use the immersion blender and blend the sauce until you reach the desired consistency.
- Return the sauce to medium heat , stir in the chicken meatballs and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Serve with warm rice or with buttered naan!
Rosario Arecco
I can't wait to try these!
Jill Patel
Thanks Rosario! I hope you love them!!
jill
We loved these meatballs and the sauce is outstanding! Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!
Jill Patel
Thanks Jill! This is one of my go-to recipes for the family!
Amy
What a great idea1 I would love to make this for y family! The sauce has a lot of ingredients but it's not difficult to make. Can't wait to try it.
Jill Patel
Thanks Amy! Its a family favorite for us, super kid and adult friendly!