Description
Thai Chicken Meatballs in Coconut Curry is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines tender, juicy chicken meatballs with a rich, creamy coconut curry sauce. Bursting with authentic Thai spices and fresh herbs, this quick and easy recipe delivers a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors, ideal for a wholesome weeknight dinner or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely minced
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
Curry Sauce
- 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or coconut)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 2 shallots, chopped
- 2 tablespoons red curry paste
- 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
Finishing Touches
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Optional: chili flakes or fresh chili to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ground chicken with finely minced garlic, ginger, chopped shallots, fish sauce, and a teaspoon of brown sugar. Mix gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated to ensure tender, flavorful meatballs.
- Form and Cook the Meatballs: Shape the mixture into small, even-sized meatballs. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the meatballs in batches until they are golden brown on all sides and completely cooked through. Remove the meatballs and set aside.
- Make the Coconut Curry Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté additional garlic, ginger, and shallots until fragrant. Stir in red curry paste and allow it to bloom in the oil for a minute. Then, pour in the coconut milk, add fish sauce and brown sugar, and stir until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Combine Meatballs and Sauce: Return the cooked meatballs to the curry sauce and gently swirl to coat them evenly. Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce for about 5 minutes to absorb the rich, creamy flavors.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs and Lime: Remove the pan from the heat and stir in fresh cilantro, basil, and a squeeze of lime juice. This will add a bright, fresh contrast that perfectly complements the warm spices and creamy coconut base.
Notes
- Use fresh ingredients such as garlic, ginger, and herbs to enhance the flavor.
- Mix the meatball ingredients gently to keep them tender and avoid a dense texture.
- Brown the meatballs well to add extra flavor and keep them juicy.
- Adjust the amount of red curry paste based on your preferred spice level.
- Simmer the coconut milk gently to prevent curdling.
- Balance saltiness, sweetness, and acidity at the end by tasting and adjusting with fish sauce, sugar, or lime juice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop Cooking
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Thai chicken meatballs, coconut curry, Thai curry, easy weeknight dinner, healthy Thai recipe, chicken curry, coconut milk curry