Chicken Meatballs & Pearl Onions in Spicy Tomato Sauce
In the world of culinary delights, there’s something truly comforting and satisfying about a dish that combines the rich flavours of chicken, the sweetness of baby onions and the fiery kick of spicy tomato sauce. The marriage of these ingredients creates a symphony of tastes and textures that awaken the taste buds and leave a lasting impression.
The heart and soul of our chicken meatball and baby onions dish lie in the spicy tomato sauce. This sauce is what ties all the elements together, infusing them with a rich, tangy and fiery kick. To make the spicy tomato sauce, you’ll need fresh or canned tomato puree. If you are using fresh tomatoes, blanch and peel the tomatoes and then puree them. To bring the heat to the sauce use any type of hot sauce or chili paste and paprika powder. Garlic provides a savory base for the sauce. Cumin powder adds depth of flavour to the sauce.
Baby onions, also known as pearl onions, are small, sweet and bursting with flavour. They are a popular ingredient in various cuisines and can be sound in a variety of dishes, from stews to pickles. These tiny onions have a mild, sweet flavour that complements the spiciness of the tomato sauce beautifully. Their petite size and natural sweetness make them an excellent addition to our chicken meatball dish. When cooked, baby onions become tender and caramelized, enhancing the overall flavour profile of the dish.
Can you prepare the meatballs ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the meatballs ahead of time and freeze them for up to 3 months. This will help you save some extra time on a busy weeknight. If you have any leftovers, simply put them in an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
How do you reheat frozen meatballs?
Make sure to thaw the frozen meatballs overnight in the fridge. When you are ready to reheat them , add them to a pan on the stove or microwave for 1-2 minutes until warmed through.
Serving suggestions:
This dish goes wonderfully with a variety of accompaniments. Serve your chicken meatballs and baby onions over al dente spaghetti or linguine for a classic Italian experience.
A slice of crusty bread or a warm baguette is perfect for mopping up the spicy tomato sauce.
Fluffy white rice or fragrant basmati rice provides a neutral base that lets the flavours of the dish shine through.
Ingredients:
Chicken Meatballs:
400 gm chicken mince
1 no small onion, finely chopped
½ tbsp garlic powder
1 tsp black pepper powder
1 egg
3-4 tbsp bread crumbs
¼ cup Cilantro, chopped
Salt to taste
Spicy Tomato Sauce:
2 ½ tbsp butter
4 tbsp oil
4 nos. garlic, minced
1 tsp ginger powder
1 tbsp paprika powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tbsp red chili sauce / paste (any hot sauce)
15-20 nos. baby onions
250 gm tomato sauce or diced tomatoes
Salt to taste
¼ cup coriander, chopped
Preparation:
Chicken Meatball:
- Step 1: Begin by making the chicken meatballs. Combine ground chicken, cilantro, chopped onion, black pepper powder, garlic powder, egg, salt and bread crumb, then mix everything properly. Roll the mixture into small, evenly-sized meatballs.
- Step 2: In a wok or pot, heat oil and 1 ½ tbsp butter over medium heat.
- Step 3: Carefully add the chicken meatballs and cook them until they are browned on all sides and cooked through.
- Step 4: Once the meatballs are cooked remove them from the pot and set them aside.
Spicy Tomato Sauce:
- Step 1: In a separate frying pan, heat 1 tbsp butter and add the baby onions and saute them until they become golden and caramelized. This will take about 5-7 minutes and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot in which meatballs were fried, add minced garlic and fry for 2-3 minutes.
- Step 3: Next add ginger powder, cumin powder and paprika powder, red chili sauce or any type of hot sauce and fry for 3-4 minutes on medium heat.
- Step 4: Then add tomato puree and cook for 5-6 minutes. Now add fried pearl onions, water and salt to taste. Cover the pot and let it cook on medium heat for 5-7 minutes.
- Step 5: Now add meatballs and again cover and cook on medium heat for 10-15 minutes, allowing all the flavours to meld together and the chicken meatballs to soak up the spicy tomato goodness.
- Step 6: Now finish the dish with chopped cilantro for a burst of freshness.
- Step 7: To savor this masterpiece, serve the chicken meatball and baby onions in spicy tomato sauce hot, either on a bed of rice or pasta, with crusty bread.
About Me
DEBJANI MONDAL
Welcome to Kitchenstagram, the home of delicious recipes, culinary inspiration and cooking adventures. I’m Debjani and I’m thrilled to be your guide through the wonderful world of food. I’m a self-taught professional baker, home chef, recipe developer, author of Kitchenstagram and an aspiring YouTuber.
My passion for food and cooking began at a very young age, when I would watch my mom and dad cook for me and my brother. My dad, in particular is a great cook whose culinary skills made a lasting impression on me. My dad would cook up a storm on special occasions by cooking variety of dishes, from delicious biriyani to samosa, fish fry, rasgullas and kachoris (sweet & spicy deep fried pastry with filling of lentils, meat or fish…>>>>>
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