Description
Tender ground chicken meatballs simmered in a rich, creamy, and aromatic red curry coconut sauce. A flavorful and comforting meal perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
1 lb (450g) ground chicken
2 cloves garlic, minced (for meatballs)
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (for meatballs)
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (for meatballs)
1/4 cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free alternative)
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 tablespoons red curry paste (adjust to taste)
2 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce)
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (for sauce)
1 (13.5 oz / 400ml) can full-fat coconut milk
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar (or maple syrup)
1 tablespoon lime juice, fresh squeezed
Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Red pepper flakes, optional, for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, and pepper. Gently mix with your hands until just combined.
Step 2: Roll the mixture into approximately 1-inch meatballs. You should get about 20-24 meatballs.
Step 3: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add meatballs in batches and sear for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides. Remove browned meatballs and set aside.
Step 4: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil (if needed). Add diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 5: Stir in the red curry paste, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon grated ginger. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
Step 6: Pour in the full-fat coconut milk and chicken broth. Add the fish sauce, brown sugar, and lime juice. Stir well to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
Step 7: Carefully return the browned chicken curry meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the simmering sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has slightly thickened.
Step 8: Uncover the skillet. If the sauce is too thin, simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Step 9: Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. You might want a pinch more salt, a squeeze of lime, or a dash more fish sauce to balance the flavors.
Step 10: Garnish with fresh cilantro and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes (if using) before serving. Serve hot over rice, noodles, or with naan bread.
Notes
For extra flavor, lightly toast the red curry paste in the pan for 30 seconds before adding other wet ingredients. Adjust spice level by using more or less curry paste. Leftovers store wonderfully in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Cuisine: Thai / Indian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 4 meatballs with sauce)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg