Tikka Masala Meatballs - an easy and delicious weeknight dinner recipe (also perfect for meal prep) that your whole family will love!
Ingredients
Chicken Meatballs
1lbground chicken
1large egg
1/2cupBob's Red Mill Almond Flour
1teaspoononion powder
1/2teaspoongarlic powder
1teaspoonkosher salt
1/2teaspoonground black pepper
Tikka Masala Sauce
1-2tablespoonghee
1sweet yellow oniondiced
2teaspoonfresh gingergrated
1-2tablespoonsgarlicminced
1/2teaspoonground turmeric
2teaspoonsground coriander
2teaspoonsground paprika
1/2teaspoonground cumin
1-2teaspoonsgaram masala
1/4teaspoonred chili powder
1 15oz can tomato sauce
1teaspoonfresh lemon juice
1cupfull fat coconut milk
Topping:
Fresh cilantrochopped
Instructions
Bring a medium saucepan to medium-high heat and add ghee. Once ghee has melted, add garlic. Let cook, moving around the pan, until aromatic, about 1 minute. Add onions and let cook down, about 2-3 minutes.
Add ginger, garlic, turmeric, coriander, paprika, cumin, garam masala and red chili powder. Stir to combine.
Pour in tomato sauce, lemon juice and coconut milk. Stir to combine and bring to just under a simmer. Cover.
To make the chicken meatballs, combine ground chicken, egg, almond flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and black pepper in a medium mixing bowl.
Use a cookie dough scoop to scoop out approx. 1 1/2 tablespoons of meatball mixture, forming a ball, and place on a large plate. Continue until all of the meatball mixture is used. (See Notes)
Take large/medium cast iron skillet and bring to medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of oil and use a spatula to spread evenly to coat the pan. Add chicken meatballs and sear on all sides, about 3 minutes.
Turn down heat to medium and then add the tikka masala sauce. Cover and let simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Use a meat thermometer to ensure meatballs have reached in internal temp of 165 to ensure they are fully cooked.
Ghee: If you aren't concerned with Whole30/Paleo feel free to use real butter. If you are dairy-free then you can use olive oil.
Ground Chicken Substitute: I have only ever tested this recipe with ground chicken! Feel free to try something else (like turkey) and report back!
Almond Flour Substitute: I have only ever made these with Bob's Red Mill Almond Flour, but people have reported making other similar recipes with Bob's Red Mill Casava Flour with good results - Let me know if you try something different!
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Coconut Milk: I know some people aren't huge fans of the flavor of coconut milk - honestly you can't really taste it in the this recipe with all the other flavors and spices at play. You CAN sub an almond milk creamer, but it might not be as thick and creamy - FYI. For best results, use coconut milk.
Can I make the meatballs in the oven? Yes! You can place the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375 for approx. 18-20 minutes (or until they reach 165 in the center). Remove from oven and then combine with sauce.