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4.75 from 8 votes

Creamy Chipotle Butter Chicken Meatballs

Learn how to make chipotle butter chicken meatballs. These are chicken meatballs that we make in the oven while we simmer our sauce on the stove. Perfect served over rice or quinoa!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: 30 Minute Meals
Keyword: adobo, adobo sauce, butter chicken, butter chicken meatballs, chicken, chipotle butter chicken, chipotle peppers, fusion, garlic naan, Indian, meatballs, mexican, naan, pasta, rice, weeknight dinner
Author: Marzia

Ingredients

Meatballs:

  • 1 large egg
  • ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ teaspoon EACH: garlic powder AND onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt + ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 ¼ pound ground chicken or turkey

Chipotle Butter Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons ghee or butter
  • 1 medium onion grated (or minced)
  • 4 teaspoons garlic paste or grated
  • 1 14.5-ounce can tomato puree (passata)
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo minced + 1-2 tablespoons adobo sauce
  • 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 ½ teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning
  • ¾ - 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • chopped cilantro for serving

Instructions

  • MEATBALLS: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 450ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. In a bowl, using a fork, mix together all the ingredients for the meatballs except the chicken. Add the chicken and mix, try not to overwork the meat. Wet your hands and roll the meatballs into tablespoon-sized balls (you’ll get anywhere from 20-25 meatballs approximately.) Place the meatballs on the baking sheet and bake for 14-15 minutes or until they’re cooked all the way through, set aside.
  • CHIPOTLE BUTTER SAUCE: While the meatballs are baking, heat the butter in a dutch oven or sauté pan. Add the onions along with a tiny pinch of salt and let them cook until they soften, about 7-8 minutes. Add the garlic paste and give it 30 seconds to allow the garlic to become fragrant. Stir in the tomato puree, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, all the seasonings, and ½ cup water. Allow the sauce to gain a simmer, reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in ¾ cup heavy cream and butter. Add the meatballs and allow them to sit in the sauce for a couple minutes before serving. Taste and adjust with additional heavy cream as desired. Serve warm over warm basmati rice topped with chopped cilantro!
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