Easy Butter Chicken Meatballs Recipe for Norway's Erling Haaland (35 Minutes) High Protein Recipes Chicken Recipes Indian Recipes Dinner

Meatballs are one of my favorite things to make for dinner. Meatballs are quick, easy, versatile and a budget-friendly dinner option. When I heard that Norway's soccer star Erling Haaland loves Indian food, especially lamb chops, butter chicken and naan bread, this butter chicken meatballs recipe jumped to the top of my must-make recipe list. 

These meatballs are made with ground chicken and bake up in the oven while you make the sauce. You don't need too many ingredients for this baked meatballs recipe. Here is your shopping list for this Indian-inspired high-protein recipe: ground chicken (read about the health benefits of protein), panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, an egg, butter, garam masala, ground turmeric, onion, fresh ginger, garlic, chicken broth, tomato paste and heavy cream.

The Parmesan cheese and mayonnaise are not traditional in Indian food. However, the cheese added saltiness and flavor and the mayonnaise added moisture to the meatball. This was a flavorful chicken dinner that I served over brown rice with a side of broccoli. Quinoa, white rice or other grains like farro or couscous would also be a great bed for these chicken meatballs.

Protein is an important part of our diets – especially for athletes – so I'm sure Haaland would happily sit down to a plate of these tender chicken meatballs. (A girl can dream!)

Cuisine: Indian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Meatballs

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 egg

Sauce

• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger (see Recipe Notes)
• 4 - 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 1/4 cups chicken broth
• 3/4 cup heavy cream 

Here's how to make it: 

1. Combine all the meatball ingredients in a mixing bowl. Season well with salt and pepper. Mix to combine. (You could try this meatball recipe with ground turkey or ground beef. For a little spice, add some ground cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes.)
2. Shape into 1-inch meatballs and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 375-degree F oven for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until just cooked through.
3. While the meatballs cook, melt the butter in a skillet. Add the onions and season with a little salt and black pepper.
4. Cook the onions over medium heat until they begin to brown, about 10 minutes, stirring often.
5. Add the garam masala, turmeric, ginger and garlic. Stir and cook for 30 seconds. Add the tomato paste and cook for 30 more seconds.
6. Add the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer. (I used evaporated milk instead of heavy cream.)
7. Remove the meatballs from the oven.
8. Put the meatballs into the sauce.
9. Stir to cover the meatballs in the sauce and cook until sauce reaches desired thickness.
10. Serve the meatballs and sauce over rice, quinoa or your favorite grain.

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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