Imagine a dish that combines the perfect blend of savory ground chicken, aromatic cilantro, and a decadently creamy sweet peanut sauce that will transport you straight to the vibrant streets of Thailand. These chicken meatballs are not just another ordinary recipe - they're a culinary adventure that promises to elevate your home cooking game and impress even the most discerning food lovers. Get ready to unleash a burst of flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Thai
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped cilantro, and soy sauce. Mix thoroughly using your hands until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Using clean hands, form the chicken mixture into uniform meatballs approximately
- 5 inches in diameter. Aim to create about 16-18 meatballs.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching each other. This allows for even cooking and browning.
- Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, turning them halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- While meatballs are baking, prepare the sweet peanut sauce by whisking together peanut butter, coconut milk, honey, and lime juice in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Stir the sauce continuously until it becomes smooth and slightly warmed, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Once meatballs are cooked, remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve meatballs hot, drizzled with the prepared sweet peanut sauce. Garnish with additional chopped cilantro if desired.
Tips
- Use cold ingredients when mixing to help the meatballs hold their shape better.
- Wet your hands slightly when forming meatballs to prevent the mixture from sticking.
- For extra flavor, consider adding minced garlic or ginger to the chicken mixture.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatballs reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a little warm water or additional coconut milk.
- For a gluten-free version, replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Make extra sauce - it's delicious as a dipping sauce or drizzled over rice or vegetables.
- These meatballs can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking, making meal prep a breeze.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 18g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 135mg
