Indian Butter Chicken Meatballs {Murgh Makhani Recipe} (2024)

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This recipe remake takes Butter Chicken to a whole new level! It’s a fun and delicious dish for sharing! Our Butter Chicken Meatballs are a great party appetizer or main course. The creamy sauce will have you mopping up every last drop with buttery naan!

Indian Butter Chicken Meatballs {Murgh Makhani Recipe} (1)

I can distinctly remember the first time I tried Indian food. Long before we were married, Kevin’s parents took us out for dinner in Vienna, Virginia. This was long before Indian was a popular cuisine here in the US but it was growing in popularity in the DC region.

The rural hometowns I grew up in were lucky if they had mediocre Mexican and Chinese restaurants.So, here we are in this quaint Indian restaurant… it smells foreign, I can’t pronounce anything on the menu and the food is brown and mushy.

But what really threw me were the flavors. My mouth was on fire with peppery heat and I couldn’t make sense of the juxtaposition of ingredients. Unlike most cuisines, Indian food pairs contrasting flavor profiles. and nothing in my Pennsylvania Dutch upbringing prepared me for this culinary awakening!

Indian Butter Chicken Meatballs {Murgh Makhani Recipe} (4)

So… yeah… my first adventure into Indian cuisine was far from magical. But being an adventurous eater I kept trying new dishes, and in no time Indian became one of my favorite cuisines.

If this is your first foray into Indian cuisine, this butter chicken recipe is a great place to start. In India this delicious curry goes by the name murgh makhani and for the newbie, it’s creamy tomato gravy is a gentle step into the complex cuisine.

Indian Butter Chicken Meatballs {Murgh Makhani Recipe} (5)

How to make butter chicken meatballs

We’ve given butter chicken an American twist by serving the classic sauce with spiced chicken meatballs. All the flavors are in these little meatballs! Fresh ginger, cilantro, garam masala, lemon, yogurt…

Then these beautifully browned meatballs are tossed in a silky smooth tomato gravy. It’s probably the easiest Indian dish I’ve yet to make. Let’s just say that Indian cooking techniques can be challenging as the flavor profiles. Luckily, if you’ve made a tomato sauce from scratch, butter chicken will not be a big leap.

Like Italian tomato sauce there’s garlic, onion and of course tomatoes, but this Indian curry is also filled with cinnamon, cumin, jalapeno, turmeric, cashews and heavy cream. As the sauce simmers, the ingredients meld together into a harmonious sauce.

Indian Butter Chicken Meatballs {Murgh Makhani Recipe} (6)

Cooking a curry from scratch takes a little time, but the good news is this dish is very tolerant to reheating. Yeah, I’m talking to all you meal preppers! You can make this on the weekend and reheat it for a quick weekday dinner. The flavors only get better over time!

But my favorite part of this recipe remake is that the meatballs are great as an appetizer too. So if you’re looking for a appetizer to serve on game day, this dish is a clear winner. Serve it in a shallow bowl or skillet and have lots of buttered naan on hand for dipping in the creamy sauce! Oh and it’s great served with our chai iced tea!

Indian Butter Chicken Meatballs {Murgh Makhani Recipe} (7)

Indian Butter Chicken Meatballs {Murgh Makhani Recipe} (8)

Butter Chicken Meatballs Recipe

We've put a fun spin on the classic Indian dish, turning our Butter Chicken into a fusion meatball appetizer or main. Whether served for dinner with rice or as co*cktail meatballs for a potluck, this dish delivers a classic, buttery sauce that will tingle your taste buds.

5 from 5 votes

Print Rate

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: Fusion, Indian

Prep Time: 30 minutes mins

Cook Time: 1 hour hr

Total Time: 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 398kcal

Author: Charity Beth Long

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk greek yogurt
  • zest of one lemon
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 bunch cilantro , stems shopped, leaves reserved for garnish
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons sundried tomatoes , finely diced
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1/2 cup almond meal
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Sauce

  • 1 small onion , diced
  • 2 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1 small jalapeno , diced
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1/2 cinnamon stick
  • 1 14oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup cashews, softened in hot water
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock (plus more if needed)
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream

Instructions

Meatballs

  • In a bowl combine ground chicken, yogurt, spices, sun dried tomatoes, cilantro stems, salt and almond meal.

  • Mix thoroughly and portion into quarter size meatballs

  • In a large dutch oven, heat olive oil and butter over medium high heat.

  • In batches, brown the meatballs.

Butter Chicken Sauce

  • Once the meatballs are browned, set them aside.

  • Add the onions to the pan, cooking them until they are golden brown.

  • Stir in the garlic, jalapeno, ginger and spices and saute a few minutes.

  • Mix in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken stock and cashews and bring to a simmer.

  • Cook stirring often, adding more chicken stock if the mixture starts to look dry.

  • When the tomatoes are starting to break down, add the cream.

  • Simmer the sauce another 5 minutes.

  • Puree the sauce in a blender and return to the pan.

  • Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer until the meatballs reach 165F.

  • Season with salt to taste and serve.

Notes

  • We used a small cookie scoop to make evenly sized meatballs.
  • This recipe makes about 30 meatballs, which feeds 4-6 people for dinner or about 8-10 as an appetizer.
  • Turmeric is quite colorful! Make sure to wear an apron and disposible gloves if you're concerned about your clothes or hands getting stained.
  • When blending the sauce, be careful to not overfill the carafe. Pulse it in batches so you don't burn yourself.
  • This recipe is inspired by this post in theNew York Times.

Nutrition

Calories: 398kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 116mg | Sodium: 323mg | Potassium: 536mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 650IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 2.2mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it turned out for you! Scroll down to leave a comment below.

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Indian Butter Chicken Meatballs {Murgh Makhani Recipe} (11)Peshwari Naan
This naan recipe will surprise and delight guests with its sweet taste and tender crust.

Indian Butter Chicken Meatballs {Murgh Makhani Recipe} (2024)

FAQs

Is butter chicken the same as murgh makhani? ›

Butter chicken, traditionally known as murgh makhani (pronounced [mʊrɣ ˈməkʰaːni]), is an Indian dish originating in Delhi. It is a type of curry made from chicken with a spiced tomato and butter (makhan) sauce. Its sauce is known for its rich texture. It is similar to chicken tikka masala, which uses a tomato paste.

What is butter chicken sauce made of? ›

Water, Tomato, Cream, Unsalted butter, Vegetable oil, Sugar, Modified corn starch, Concentrated tomato purée, Spices, Dried onion, Ginger, Garlic, Salt, Lactic acid (acidulant), Paprika extract, Citric acid (acidulant), Dried fenugreek leaf.

Why is butter chicken called butter chicken? ›

It was originally created by Kundan Lal Gujral, a chef at Moti Mahal restaurant in Delhi, in 1947. Although murgh makhani translates to butter chicken, its name has nothing to do with butter. Instead, it gets its name from how much yoghurt and butter are used in its recipe (the word makhani means luxurious).

Can you reheat chicken meatballs? ›

Leftovers. Transfer all your leftover butter chicken meatballs to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 2-3 days. You can reheat in the microwave, but make sure to cover the leftovers to avoid splatters. You'll need to reheat until the meatballs are warmed through, so the sauce will end up getting quite hot ...

Is murgh makhani the same as tikka masala? ›

Butter chicken vs tikka masala – at a glance

Butter chicken uses tandoori chicken, which is then finished in a spicy, buttery tomato-based sauce. The chicken in tikka masala is usually chargrilled, for a distinct flavor. Chicken tikka masala is most likely based on butter chicken, originally known as murgh makhani.

What Indian dish is closest to butter chicken? ›

Tikka masala became popular in America as butter chicken after Indian restaurants began serving it with a side of white rice instead of basmati. The dish doesn't always include chicken, but it's called chicken-tikka or chicken-curry when it does.

What thickens butter chicken sauce? ›

Cashew Paste: Make a paste by blending cashews with water, and then stir it into the butter chicken. This not only thickens the sauce but also adds a creamy texture. Tomato Paste: Incorporating tomato paste can enhance the thickness and flavor of the sauce.

Why does butter chicken taste so good? ›

With its sweetly spiced tomato and cream-based gravy, butter chicken is a comforting, warming dish that feels decadent thanks to its silky-smooth richness. It's a dish that can be cooked with either breast meat or chicken thighs, with bones or without.

Why is butter chicken so tasty? ›

Butter chicken is made with a spiced tomato and butter sauce, which does in fact give it the sweet, creamy and buttery taste.

Is butter chicken from India or Pakistan? ›

According to the Gujral family, the dish was the creation of their grandfather Kundan Lal Gujral who founded the restaurant in Peshawar, in what is now Pakistan. After India was split during partition in 1947, they moved the restaurant to Delhi.

What is the national dish of India? ›

India - Khichdi

Khichdi is a very popular Indian dish, so much so that it is considered to be the 'national dish of India'.

Is tikka masala British or Indian? ›

Origins. The origin of the dish is not certain, but many sources attribute it to the South Asian community in Great Britain; some sources also cite Glasgow as the city of origin. Chicken tikka masala may derive from butter chicken, a popular dish in the northern Indian subcontinent.

Why are my frozen meatballs rubbery? ›

If the meatballs are packed together too tightly, they will cook up rubbery, chewy, and tough.

What foods are not safe to reheat? ›

  • Oct 17, 2023, 07:14 PM IST. 7 Foods Items That Can Turn Toxic When Reheated. ...
  • Vegetables With High Amounts of Nitrate. Vegetables with high amounts of nitrate, like carrots, turnips, celery, or spinach, can turn toxic when reheated. ...
  • Rice. ...
  • Potatoes. ...
  • Mushrooms. ...
  • Cold Pressed Oil. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Chicken.
Oct 17, 2023

How do you make frozen meatballs taste better? ›

The stale taste is because when food is frozen for too long, it can dry out. You want to add egg to the meat to moisten it. Make sure to blend the whole egg into the meat so that it can be thoroughly absorbed.

What is the translation of murgh makhani? ›

Makhani (ਮੱਖਣੀ) is a Punjabi word meaning "butter" and may refer to several dishes in North Indian cuisine: Dal makhani, made from beans and pulses. Murgh makhani, also known as butter chicken or chicken makhani.

What is the difference between butter chicken and tikka masala chicken? ›

Butter chicken is a traditional Indian dish that is rich and creamy with a subtle smoky flavor. At the same time, tikka masala is a British Indian dish with a more complex flavor profile with tangy and spicy notes. Butter chicken is generally sweeter and milder in spiciness, while tikka masala is tangy and spicy.

What is the difference between butter chicken and butter paneer? ›

Love Butter Chicken? Butter Paneer is the vegetarian version. In fact, most Indian restaurants use the same rich sauce for both dishes. This is arguably one of the most delicious vegetarian Indian recipes.

What is the difference between chicken curry and chicken makhani? ›

Chicken curry typically has a tangier and spicier flavor, with a thick and creamy yogurt or coconut milk sauce. On the other hand, chicken makhani is generally milder and sweeter, with a rich and velvety sauce made with butter and cream.

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