Curry chicken meatballs

45g protein the SIMPL way

The internet has more chicken recipes than Kamala Harris has accents.

But I only see chicken recipes that use:

  • wings

  • thighs

  • breasts

  • whole bird

  • drumsticks

And even though most include some form of:

  • glaze

  • sauce

  • spice rub

All these flavorings only touch the surface of the meat...

Leaving the middle tragically bland and flavorless.

The solution?

Use a type of chicken that's uniquely designed to be permeated with flavor...

Inside and out.

This week's SIMPL recipe includes:

  • fresh herbs

  • fragrant spices

  • aromatic vegetables

To infuse mouthwatering flavors into 45g of lean meat...

Using a form of chicken you're overlooking.

(The ground variety)

Why ground chicken?

Like ground turkey, ground chicken tends to be on the lean side.

If you're trying to maximize your protein intake, it's a solid choice.

However, since it's leaner, you want to make sure it's very well-flavored, like I do for this curry chicken meatballs dish.

Curry chicken meatballs with basmati rice and brown butter green beans

I like to include a richer sauce when I cook leaner meats to make up for the lack of fat.

One thing to note:

After cooking thousands of meatballs...

I've noticed that a leaner blend of meat tends to work better than a richer blend for meatballs.

Why?

The fat tends to bleed out during the baking process. So the more fat in the blend, the more fat you lose as it cooks…

Meaning there's less meatball left to eat.

Fresh or frozen?

I haven't noticed a difference in quality between fresh and frozen (raw) ground meat.

What I HAVE noticed is that ground meat stores and thaws well AFTER cooking, which isn't as true for solid cuts of cooked meat.

For example:

Cooking and freezing a large batch of meatballs is better than cooking and freezing a large batch of chicken breasts.

Why?

As the frozen chicken thaws, it loses some moisture (and tastes drier when served.)

Since meatballs contain binding agents (breadcrumbs) that soak up moisture as meatballs cook, the moisture is retained when thawed...

Keeping them moist and flavorful when served.

Chicken meatballs

How to make chicken meatballs:

Making meatballs is not for the squeamish or the faint of heart.

Even though it's a fun process, you have to get your hands dirty.

Here's the basic method:

Mix it

In a bowl, combine your ground chicken with breadcrumbs, egg, grated onion, and seasonings. Mix for 1-2 minutes with your hands until the mixture is evenly combined.

Roll it

Using a scale to ensure even sizing (if you prefer) roll a portion of meat into a ball shape with your hands, and place it on an oven-safe pan. Aim for 2-3 ounces per meatball.

Bake it

Use medium heat when baking the meatballs (around 350 degrees). This ensures they cook evenly, and don't brown too much on top. Let them cool at room temperature before plating or storing.

Curry Chicken Meatballs

I dug up a sauce recipe that my customers at Seasoned Catering have enjoyed for years.

This tomato-curry sauce is flavored with an Indian spice blend called Garam Masala to complement the rich aromas of garlic, onion and ginger.

Oregano-infused chicken meatballs are paired with steamed basmati rice, then served alongside.

Topped with the tomato-curry sauce, it's a tasty addition to your high-protein meal prep rotation.

Here’s the nutrition breakdown for 1 serving:

Calories: 643

Protein: 45

Carbs: 44g

Fat: 32g

Curry chicken meatballs with basmati rice and brown butter green beans

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Curry chicken meatballs with basmati rice and brown butter green beans

Cooking time: 2 hours
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Ingredients:

Directions

For the meatballs:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Divide the onion in half. Dice 1 half into 1/4 inch dice, and grate the other half using a cheese grater.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken with the grated onion, half the garlic, panko, egg, chopped oregano, and salt to taste.

Mix together with your hands until fully combined, about 1-2 minutes. Roll the mixture into 15 equally-sized meatballs, and place them in a heavy sauté pan.

Place the pan in the oven, and bake until the meatballs are fully cooked, about 30 minutes.

For the rice:

Pour the rice into a saucepan or rice cooker, and add 2 cups water, and salt to taste.

Cover with a lid, bring it to a boil, and seal with something heavy. Turn the heat down to low, and let it cook for 20 minutes.

Turn the heat off, and let the rice steam for another 10 minutes. Pour out onto a sheet pan, and spread the rice evenly to let it cool.

For the brown butter green beans:

Place a sauté pan with a lid on medium heat, and melt half of the butter. Let the butter turn to foam, and slowy brown after about a minute.

When the butter browns, quickly add the green beans, plus 1/4 cup water, and salt to taste. Cover with a lid, turn the heat to high, and let the beans steam for 3-4 minutes.

Remove the lid, and pour the beans out onto a sheet pan to cool.

For the sauce:

Heat a saucepan on medium heat, and add the garam masala, and toss the spice in the pan. When it begins to lightly smoke after about 30 seconds, add the remaining butter.

When the butter has melted, add the diced onions, remaining garlic, ginger, and salt to taste. Sweat on medium heat for 20 minutes.

Stir in the tomatoes, 1/4 cup water, and agave syrup, and cook for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Puree with an immersion blender or an upright blender.

To finish:

Divide the rice, meatballs and green beans between the 5 meal prep boxes, and cover the meatballs with sauce.

Seal the containers, and store in the refrigerator until you're ready to reheat.

Curry chicken meatballs with basmati rice and brown butter green beans