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Skillet Chicken Tikka Masala Meatballs are a fun twist on the popular Indian dish. Chicken meatballs are simmered in a creamy and flavorful tikka masala sauce and served over rice for a cozy, ethnic meal. #tikkamasala #meatballs #chickenrecipe #chickentikkamasal #indianfood #skillet #dinner #glutenfree #dairyfree
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Skillet Chicken Tikka Masala Meatballs

Chicken meatballs are simmered in a creamy and flavorful tikka masala sauce and served over rice for a cozy, ethnic meal. 
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Chicken + Poultry, Skillet + One Pot Meals
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: chicken tikka masala, chicken tikka masala meatballs
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground chicken, or turkey
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 clove garlic, grated or minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
  • Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Tikka Masala Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup diced yellow onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 1 cup light or full fat coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup cilantro chopped

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, use your hands to combine all of the meatball ingredients minus the oil until incorporated. Shape into golf ball sized meatballs.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, swirl to coat the bottom. Sear the meatballs (in batches if necessary) for 6-8 minutes turning them over halfway through the cooking time. Transfer to a plate. They don't need to be fully cooked, just browned.
  • Add the butter or coconut oil to the skillet along with the diced onion. Sauté for 3 minutes until softened then add in the garlic, ginger, spices, and tomato paste. Stir and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, or until the tomato paste has darkened.
  • Stir in the tomato sauce, cover with a lid and cook until it just starts to simmer. Add in the coconut milk and cilantro and stir until combined. Place the meatballs into the sauce, turn down the heat to low, cover with the lid and simmer until the sauce has thickened and the meatballs are cooked through, about 10-15 minutes. Taste for seasoning. Serve with brown basmati rice and garnish with cilantro.

Nutrition

Calories: 371kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 776mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g