Butter Chicken Meatballs

The Base:

  • 1 TBS olive oil
  • ½ LG onion (chopped)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 TBS fresh ginger (or ginger paste) (grated)
  • ¼ TSP turmeric
  • ¼ TSP smoked paprika
  • ¾ TSP garam masala
  • ½ TSP cumin
  • 14 OZ canned crushed tomatoes or plain tomato sauce
  • ½ C unsalted chicken stock (more as needed later)
  • ½ – 1 TSP kosher salt
  • 1 TSP sugar
  • 20 OZ (~4 C) of cooked chicken or turkey meatballs (frozen OK, just bake prior to use) (cooked chicken can be used instead)

To Finish:

  • 2 TBS butter
  • 3 OZ heavy cream (more to taste)

To Serve:

  • Cooked brown or basmati rice (~½ C per serving)
  • ¼ C fresh cilantro (to garnish)
  1. Heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Add onion, garlic, ginger and spices, sauté until softened.
  2. Add tomatoes, stock, salt, and sugar. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
  3. Transfer the sauce to a blender and puree until smooth, or use an immersion blender directly in the pot to blend.
  4. Add sauce back to the pan. Add the meatballs, simmer with the cover on or keep on low heat until warmed through.
  5. Add the butter and cream. Stir until incorporated.
  6. Serve over rice with a sprinkle of cilantro.

Instant Pot instructions:

  1. Add all sauce ingredients, cook on high pressure for 5 minutes.
  2. Use an immersion blender directly in the Instant Pot to make it smooth.
  3. Add meatballs and turn it to warm or sauté until heated through (this takes 5-10 minutes).
  4. Finish by stirring in the cream and butter.

Yields 6 servings.

Calories (with brown rice): 431 | Cholesterol 81.1mg | Sodium 1081.1mg | Total Carbohydrate 30.2g | Dietary Fiber 3.5g | Sugars 7.4g | Protein 15.9g | Vitamin A 110.8µg | Vitamin C 6.6mg | Iron 2.7mg | Potassium 546.5mg

https://pinchofyum.com/butter-chicken-meatballs