Thai style juicy chicken meatballs in a coconut curry sauce. This one-pot dish is incredibly delicious. The meatballs are tender, herby with a garlic note. Coated with a rich, spicy coconut curry sauce and topped with fresh cilantro and roasted cashew nuts.
Why You’ll Love This Thai Coconut Curry Chicken Meatballs Recipe
Made with ground chicken or pork, the irresistible Thai flavor of this dish will have everyone convinced you picked it in a Thai restaurant. These are seriously tasty… and so easy to make, with familiar pantry friendly ingredients!
Let’s get into the details first! We start by making the meatballs, therefor we mix ground chicken among others with cilantro, garlic, scallions and a splash of soy sauce for some truly delicious meatballs.
Next, we pan-fry the meatballs, make the coconut sauce and cook everything in one pot to create a super flavorful meal. Enjoy served with naan, noodles, rice or cauliflower rice.
Let me guide you through the recipe with this step-by-step VIDEO.
Helpful Tips
- You can use chicken thighs and ground them in your food processor to make the meatballs from scratch. If you don’t have a food processor, you can ask your butcher to grind chicken thighs for your meatballs, or just buy ground chicken.
- Want to add more veggies? Try it with broccoli, spinach, or cauliflower, and cook together with the sauce.
- Topping: Swap cashews for peanuts.
- Add more sambal oelek to make it as spicy as you can handle.
- Instead of frying the meatballs in the skillet, you can also bake them in the oven.
- Serve with steamed rice, warm naan or rice noodles.
- Pair with a crunchy asian-style coleslaw or a fresh cucumber salad.
Storage
- Fridge: Keep the leftovers stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Make Ahead: These chicken meatballs taste even better the following day. This makes them an excellent choice for meal preparation. Follow the recipe as instructed, allow to cool slightly, then divide into airtight containers. To reheat, simply simmer until heated through.
- Freezing: To freeze, ensure that the dish has cooled completely. Place it in airtight containers and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, remove the dish from the freezer and let it thaw overnight. Reheat by simmering in a pan until it’s warmed through.
More meatballs, please!
Thai Coconut Curry Chicken Meatballs
Ingredients
chicken meatballs
- 1.1 pounds ground chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp corn starch
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp white pepper
- 1 tbsp scallions finely chopped
- 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
Coconut Sauce
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp Thai red curry paste
- 2 tsp honey or brown sugar
- 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ¼ tsp white pepper
- 1 lemon grass bruised
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 shallot finely chopped
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp sambal oelek
- 1 can (400 ml/14 oz) unsweetened coconut milk full fat
- ½ cup low sodium chicken broth
- 4 scallions thinly sliced
for serving
- sesame oil
- chili peppers optional
- steamed rice or noodles
- black sesame
- toasted cashews
Instructions
- Add ground chicken to a bowl. Add corn starch, egg yolk, cilantro, chili flakes, scallions, garlic powder, white pepper and soy sauce. Mix until just combined. Coat your hands with olive oil or water. Roll into 2 tablespoon-size balls.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add coconut oil. Add the meatballs and sear until golden brown, about 5 minutes, turning them 2-3 times. Add garlic, ginger and shallot. Cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the red curry paste and turmeric.
- Add coconut milk, chicken broth, soy sauce, fish sauce, sambal oelek, honey, lemon grass and white pepper. Simmer over medium until the meatballs are cooked through, 10-15 minutes. Stir in the scallions
- Meanwhile, cook rice or noodles in salted water, according to package directions.
- Divide rice among bowls, top with meatballs and sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, toasted cashews and scallions. Add some chili peppers if you like the extra heat. Drizzle with some sesame oil. Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
And …IF YOU LOVE THESE RECIPES … please consider supporting my work for just the cost of a cup of coffee.
Sign up for my NEWSLETTER to receive the latest recipes delivered straight to your inbox.
Holy moly this recipe was incredible. I’m going to get you a cup of coffee . Thank you so much !!
Thanks so much! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Looks amazing going to try it.
I hope you love the recipe! Happy cooking!
wou.d you be able to tell me approximately how many meatballs this recipe yields – using your guidance of 2 tbsp per meatball. Thanks!
Approximately 20 meatballs. Hope you love it!
Ground chicken difficult to find on my area. What other meat can one use.
Hi, you can use ground pork or ground veal. Hope you love it!
Would just plain ground chicken or turkey work fine too?
Hi, it will work great here. Enjoy the recipe!
Could I do coconut aminos instead of soy sauce? Thanks!! Really want to try!
Hi, coconut aminos would work great here. Enjoy the recipe!
Hello! Could you suggest an alternative to coconut milk? Maybe 1/2 & 1/2?
hi! you can use half-and-half or soy cream, and just 1 tablespoon lemon juice. hope you love this one!
Made this tonight and it was a huge hit. I will definitely make again. Thanks for the recipe
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thanks for making it!
Do you ever prep the meatballs in advance and freeze them? I work ahead strategies when they’re available. Can’t wait to try this one!
Hi, you can easily make the meatballs beforehand and freeze them, they’ll keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat, let them thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake as directed. Happy cooking!
Wow! You had me just at the photo but after making it I can honestly say this is restaurant quality made at home. I’ve several family members who now want me to make it for them. Delicious to the last bite, thanks for sharing the recipe 😊
yay! I am thrilled that you enjoyed this recipe, thanks a lot for giving it a try. I hope you have an amazing week!
Delicious!
Wow this was delicious!! It was very easy to make on a busy weekday night. I added red bell pepper and broccoli for veggies. I’ll be making this again very soon.
yay! I am thrilled that you enjoyed this recipe, thanks a lot for giving it a try!
Delicious! I tossed cilantro, lime zest and a squeeze of lime juice to the rice after it was cooked, which brightened everything against the curry. It was delightful. I will make this recipe again. Perfect for a cold winter night.
Fantastic ! I’m so thrilled that you enjoyed this recipe, thanks a lot for giving it a try!
Whenever I try one of Anna’s recipes, it’s always full of flavour and wonderfully tasty. These meatballs were yummy – delicious served with rice, toasted cashews and onions and cucumber! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for your super kind message and following along. I’m so glad you have been enjoying the recipes, happy cooking!
I loved it
I made this recipe and it tasted delicious but found the sauce very watery. What did I do wrong?
Hi, So happy you enjoyed the recipe. Next time, you can look for a brand that has two ingredients: coconut and water, or an organic coconut milk brand that doesn’t contain emulsifiers and/or preservatives. Also try to buy coconut milk with at least 15% -fat milk, good quality coconut milk should be solid at room temperature. Hope this helps!
Is this okay to freeze?
Hi, you can freeze it up to 3 months. Enjoy the recipe!
This was so easy to put together. My husband and I both loved it. Will definitely make again.
It makes me so happy to hear that Melissa!
Delicious and flavorful.
My sauce did not thicken suggestions please. New family favorite despite thinness of sauce.
So happy you enjoyed the recipe Julia. Next time, you can look for a coconut milk that has two ingredients: coconut and water, or an organic coconut milk brand that doesn’t contain emulsifiers and/or preservatives. Also try to buy coconut milk with at least 15% -fat milk, good quality coconut milk should be solid at room temperature. Hope this helps!
I absolutely loved this, never sure when I make something for the first time but this was amazing! Seemed a little watery as others have commented so added a couple of tablespoons of coconut cream near the end and put some brocoli in for veg, this will be a regular dish now, so so good!!
Thank you for your comment Gillian! So happy you enjoyed!
simply scrumptious – i implore you to create a recipe book with all your recipes – they are AMAZING EVERY TIME!
Thanks so much Abigail!
the meatballs are tender and so flavourful! The sauce is amazing. Not too spicy, just full of flavour. Chef’s kiss. I cooked bok choy in the broth for the last 5 min of cooking.
So happy you loved it Lauren!
Is the cornstarch used in place of what would normally be breadcrumbs to bind?
Yes! Enjoy the recipe!
This recipe is delicious! However, I found the portion size quite small. Using 500g chicken mince, adding broccolini and lots of rice, I only just managed three servings (I’m quite a small person as well). I think I could almost double the chicken to comfortably have four servings.
Hi Jess, so happy you enjoyed it! Feel free to double the recipe next time. Happy cooking!
I was confused about what to do with the lemongrass- do you add it whole? Chop it? Mince? The flavor ended up being yummy- but it needed more of everything. More soy sauce, salt & pepper, more sambal & I added LIME- made a huge difference. I also had an issue with the sauce, mine was super watery not sure what went wrong
Hi Olivia, the lemongrass is smashed and then added whole to release its flavor. As for the sauce, it’s best to use full-fat coconut milk to avoid it becoming watery.
This looks so good! What a great weeknight meal for the family!
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
What form of lemongrass do you suggest? Fresh, in jar?
Hi, you can use either fresh or jarred lemongrass, whichever is easier to find or have on hand. Enjoy the recipe!
I have made this recipe so many times. I have made it for friends and family and it is always a winner! Love your recipes Anna! Thank you!!
It makes me so happy to hear that Sophia!
Excellent recipe. We loved it. Prep time 5 minutes? Took me more than than to assemble the ingredients. Save yourself 1.5 to 2 hours first time making this which includes cooking the meatballs. I will make again but plan earlier 🤣
I’m going to make this tonight and just noticed that on the ingredients list you don’t have shallot on there at all but in the video it says to use a shallot. Just got home from the grocery store and thought I had everything. I guess I’ll sub an onion.
So sorry for the confusion, the recipe is fixed.
Just love your recipe. So easy and very tasteful
Thanks Robin!
I cheated and bought chicken mince. Recipe easy to make and very tasty. I served with rice noodles but will use rice next time as it will soak up the juices
So glad you enjoyed Deborah!
Is this spicy because of the red curry paste?
Hi, it depends on your red curry paste, some brands are spicier than others. You can start by adding 1 tablespoon, taste and add more. If you don’t like spicy food, you could also leave out the crushed red pepper flakes in the meatballs. Enjoy the recipe!
I don’t usually rate recipes. But i have a pinterest zone called “championsleague” and this recipe made it there. It’s really nice and suffices for “easy impressing”. 5 stars because my 6 year old liked it too (without the sauce)!
It makes me so happy to hear that!
How do we prepare the lemongrass, i.e. do we use the bulb or the tops, and are they bashed or chopped? Thanks!
I’ve made this several times~Always a Big Hit ! I make a double batch of Ground Chicken Meatballs & freeze them raw to have on hand.
I follow all of your Coconut Sauce ingredients for a single batch (18) I also add 1 extra can of Coconut Milk.
Put everything in a CrockPot~Low for 3Hrs. Then I turn to warm & throw in a huge handful of fresh Spinach for 1 more hour.
Done & Delish 🙂
I serve it up w all of the extras in your photos too !
I defrost the Meatballs before putting them in the CrockPot
Yay! So glad this recipe is a hit Cat!
What kind of pan is that in the video? A high-sided 12″ skillet…? A wide low shallow ~4qt french oven…? Please tell me the name of this kind of pan/pot, because it looks perfect for this delicious recipe! Thanks
hi Elina, here’s a direct link to the page with pots and pans I use. Happy cooking!
Excellent recipe!!! Didn’t have green onions, fish sauce or lemon grass …used yellow onion in sauce and some dried onion in meatballs. Also used two lb of ground chicken but single batch of sauce. Added a little tapioca starch to thicken sauce. I have 3 teenagers all with very different and picky tastebuds – they all loved it. Served over rice with roasted broccoli.
I’m so happy to hear that Shannon!
My whole family enjoyed this. Will be making again. I used ground turkey since I had it on hand. I wasn’t able to find lemon grass at the store today and totally missed sambal when I was making my grocery list. My throat is very sensitive to spicyness anyway, so I put a bottle of siracha on the dining table for those who wanted more heat.
So glad you all enjoyed Ilene!
This is one of the best recipes I have EVER made – and I cook A LOT. I made it for the second time recently when my friend came over for dinner. He said it was completely delicious, one of the best meals he’d ever had and had another full helping as he loved it so much! Truly scrumptious, so going to try lots of your other recipes now. Thank you!
Yay Anna! I’m thrilled to hear that you both loved the dish. I hope you enjoy the other recipes just as much. Happy cooking!
Unbelievably easy and delicious! I double the meatball ingredients and cook a batch of the meatballs (flattened into mini patties) to keep out of the curry for kids lunchboxes. My kids love them, on their own or in a wrap with salad. Sensational recipe, thank you!
You’re welcome Fran! So glad the kids love them too!
Delicious recipe – substituting chicken thighs with Turkey mince – worked really well. Thanks!
You’re welcome Deb! SO glad you enjoyed!
Such a good recipe! Changed to green curry and added some lime!
Thank you Filip! SO happy you enjoyed it!