Tender chicken meatballs seared and simmered in a creamy coconut red curry sauce with Thai basil — a quick, flavorful weeknight dinner.
Prep Time20 minutesmins
Cook Time25 minutesmins
Total Time45 minutesmins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Thai
Keyword: high protein, high protein dinner, thai chicken meatballs
Servings: 4servings
Calories: 400kcal
Ingredients
Meatballs
1lbground chicken
1/3cuppanko breadcrumbs
1largeegg
2clovesgarlicminced
1tspfresh gingergrated
1/4tspsalt
Sauce & Vegetables
1tbspoilfor searing
1bell pepperthinly sliced
1zucchinisliced
2clovesgarlicminced
1tspfresh gingergrated
2tbspred curry paste
14ozcoconut milkfull-fat, 1 can
1/2cupchicken broth
1tbspfish sauce
1tbspbrown sugar
1cupbaby spinach
1tbsplime juice
1/4cupThai basilplus extra for garnish
Instructions
In a bowl, mix all meatball ingredients until just combined. Form into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. Wet your hands slightly if the mixture feels too sticky.
Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of oil. Sear the meatballs in batches until browned on all sides. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Add the sliced bell pepper to the same skillet and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix in the zucchini and cook 2 more minutes, until tender. Transfer the vegetables to a plate.
In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed. Sauté the minced garlic and grated ginger until fragrant, being careful not to burn them. Stir in the red curry paste and cook for a minute to deepen the flavors.
Pour in the coconut milk and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add the fish sauce and brown sugar, then bring to a gentle simmer.
Return the meatballs to the skillet and let everything simmer until the meatballs are cooked through, about 10-12 minutes.
Stir in the pre-cooked bell peppers, zucchini, and baby spinach. Let the spinach wilt for about a minute, then squeeze in the lime juice and add the Thai basil.
Garnish with extra Thai basil if desired. Serve hot, ideally with jasmine rice or noodles.
Notes
Nutrition values are estimated per serving, without optional ingredients.