Cilantro Chicken Meatballs Recipes

ASIAN CHICKEN AND CILANTRO MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Make the Kaffir Lime Powder, if using:
• In the spice mill, grind the leaves to a fine powder. Store in the jar with the lid securely tightened at room temperature for up to 1 month. (Makes 2 tablespoons powder.)
• Make the soup:
• Cut the chicken into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes. Spread the meat in a single layer on the baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze for 1 hour. The chicken should be stiff. (Freezing will help the food processor blade cut the meat cleanly rather than tearing or smearing it.)
• Place the cubes in the food processor and process for about 15 seconds, until the chicken is coarsely ground. Transfer the chicken to a large bowl, add 1 tablespoon of the sesame oil and the remaining ingredients (except the stock), and use your hands to blend the mixture
• To prevent the mixture from sticking, wet your hands with cold water, then shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch (3 cm) balls, about the size of golf balls.
• In a medium saucepan, bring 1 quart (1 l) water to a boil over high heat.
• Arrange the meatballs side by side in the steamer, cover, and place on top of the saucepan. Steam until cooked through, about 5 minutes (see page 15 for best tips on steaming techniques and equipment). In a skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil over medium-high heat and sear the meatballs for a few minutes to create a crunchy, colorful exterior. Serve in the chicken stock or vegetable stock, and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.

CURRY CHICKEN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Toss the onion and enough olive oil to coat together on a small sheet pan and roast in the oven until browned and soft, 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the panko, cilantro, egg, garlic, jalapeno, lime zest, cumin, curry powder, salt and pepper. Mix well. Add the chicken and combine all the ingredients until everything is well mixed.
• Form the meatballs with a #50 (.68-ounce) ice-cream scoop or by heaping tablespoons and place on a sheet pan. Round the meatballs gently by hand.
• Heat the 2 teaspoons oil in a large ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and reduce the heat to medium. Cook until just browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the meatballs are cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Serve the meatballs over rice with the roasted onion and more cilantro leaves.

THAI-INSPIRED CHICKEN MEATBALL SOUP

Steps:

• Using the small holes of a box grater, or a Microplane, grate the ginger, garlic and jalapeño (or finely chop them by hand). Transfer half to a large bowl and set the rest aside. To the large bowl, add the chicken, finely chopped cilantro, 2 tablespoons fish sauce and 1 teaspoon salt. Use your hands or a fork to fully combine but do not overmix.
• Use your hands or an ice cream scoop to form 2-inch meatballs (about 2 ounces each). In a large Dutch oven or pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the meatballs in a single layer and cook, flipping halfway through, until golden brown on two sides, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate and repeat, adding oil as needed.
• Once all the meatballs are browned and out of the pot, if the oil is burned, wipe it out and add a bit more to the pot. Reduce the heat to medium, add the reserved ginger mixture and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth, coconut milk, sugar and the remaining 1 tablespoon fish sauce, and bring to a simmer. Add the meatballs and any juices from the plate, and simmer until the flavors come together and the meatballs are cooked through, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Remove from heat, and stir in the spinach and lime juice. Divide rice among bowls, then top with meatballs, broth and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

CHICKEN MEATBALLS WITH MOLOKHIEH, GARLIC, AND CILANTRO

Steps:

• To make the meatballs, place the breadcrumbs in a small bowl and cover with water. Stir, then drain through a colander, squeezing out most of the moisture from the bread. (If using grated zucchini, toss it with ½ tsp of salt and place in a sieve set over a bowl. Let to sit for 20 minutes, then use your hands to squeeze out as much liquid as possible.)
• Transfer the crumbs to a large bowl with the chicken, garlic, spices, herbs, lemon zest, ¾ tsp salt, and plenty of black pepper. Using well-oiled hands, shape into about 30 small balls; roughly a scant 1 oz/25g each.
• Put 1 tbsp of oil into a large nonstick sauté pan with a lid, and place over high heat. Once hot, add half the meatballs and cook for 2-3 minutes, turning throughout, until golden brown all over. Transfer the meatballs to a baking sheet and set aside. Keep the pan on the heat and continue with the remaining 1 tbsp of oil and remaining meatballs in the same way.
• Return the same pan to medium-high heat. Add the 2 garlic cloves, lemon rind, and stock and bring to a boil-this should take about 3 minutes. Add the molokhieh (or the spinach and okra combination), cinnamon, 2 tsp of salt, and plenty of black pepper, then decrease the heat to medium and cook, covered, for about 20 minutes, or until the molokhieh is bubbling and completely defrosted. Add the meatballs, parsley, and ½ cup/10g of cilantro and cook, covered, for another 10 minutes, or until completely cooked through. Stir in the lemon juice.
• To make the adha, meanwhile, put the olive oil into a small frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until golden and crispy. Add the chile flakes, then remove from the heat and pour into a bowl. Stir in the cilantro and set aside.
• Divide the soup among four bowls and top with the fried garlic and remaining ½ cup/10g cilantro. Serve at once, with lemon wedges alongside.

CILANTRO SESAME CHICKEN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Using a large mixing bowl combine all the ingredients, then roll into individual meatballs. You should end up with about 20 1-1/2" thick balls.
• Place on a well oiled baking tray.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes.
• Serve with Sesame-Soy dipping sauce.