Thai Chicken Meatball Curry
Thai Chicken Meatball Curry is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken meatballs simmered in a rich and creamy coconut curry sauce infused with traditional Thai spices, fresh herbs, and a balance of mildly spicy, sweet, and savory flavors. Perfect for both beginners and seasoned cooks, this recipe is versatile, customizable, and great for any occasion.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
- Diet: Gluten Free
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground chicken (lean but moist)
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp fish sauce
Curry Sauce
- 1–2 tbsp red curry paste (adjust to taste)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
- 1 tbsp fish sauce (plus more to taste)
- 1 tsp sugar (optional)
- 1–2 green chilies, sliced (optional, for extra heat)
Finishing Touches
- 1/4 cup fresh Thai basil, chopped (or sweet basil as a substitute)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for cooking)
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a bowl, combine the ground chicken with finely chopped garlic, grated ginger, salt, and fish sauce. Mix gently until just combined to keep the meatballs tender. Form the mixture into small 1-inch balls and set aside.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, browning them gently on all sides until they develop a light golden crust but are not fully cooked through. Remove the meatballs and set aside.
- Make the Curry Sauce: In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed. Sauté the red curry paste, minced garlic, and grated ginger for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Slowly stir in the coconut milk, scraping any browned bits from the pan to deepen the flavor.
- Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, allowing them to soak in the curry sauce. Simmer everything together for 10-15 minutes until the meatballs are fully cooked and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs and Lime: Stir in chopped Thai basil and cilantro, then squeeze in fresh lime juice to brighten the dish. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional fish sauce or sugar if desired. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs and aromatics to enhance authentic flavor.
- Don’t overmix the chicken mixture to keep meatballs tender and juicy.
- Cook meatballs in batches for even browning and to avoid overcrowding.
- Adjust spice level gradually by adding curry paste and chilies bit by bit.
- Simmer gently to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken perfectly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Thai chicken curry, chicken meatballs, coconut curry, gluten-free Thai recipe, easy Thai dinner, spicy chicken curry, homemade meatballs, comfort food