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Meat, Busy evenings

Creamy chicken meatballs with rice

Creamy chicken meatballs with rice is a simmered dish for 4 people, ready in 40 minutes, rated easy, for about €2.50 per person. Ground chicken stays tender thanks to egg and breadcrumbs, while a creamy paprika sauce does most of the work. The key is keeping the sauce at a gentle simmer, never letting it boil.

Tonight, little chicken meatballs simmering in a creamy sauce, with rice to soak up every bit of it.

Creamy chicken meatballs with rice
Total time
40 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.50
Calories per person
530 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

This dish pairs tender chicken meatballs with a creamy sauce lightly seasoned with sweet paprika. The texture comes from the balance of ground chicken, egg and breadcrumbs, which keep the meatballs soft even after searing and simmering. Plain rice served alongside soaks up the sauce and rounds out the meal without weighing it down.

It's built for weeknights when you need to feed the whole family without spending hours in the kitchen. Kids usually love the soft texture of the meatballs and the mild, non spicy sauce. Mon Chou suggests this dinner when you want something warm and comforting that still comes together fast, even on a busy evening.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Ground chicken 500 g

Dairy

  • Egg 1
  • Heavy cream 20 cl

Pantry

  • Breadcrumbsoften in the pantry 40 g
  • Chicken brothoften in the pantry 25 cl
  • Riceoften in the pantry 300 g
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Sweet paprikaoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Parsley 1 bunch
  • Onion 1

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs

The step by step recipe

  1. Mix the ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, half the chopped parsley, salt and pepper, and shape into meatballs.

    Don't overmix, the filling stays tender.

  2. Brown the meatballs in the oil, then set them aside. 8 min

    Turn them gently once they release easily from the pan.

  3. In the same pan, soften the sliced onion, then add the paprika, broth and cream. 5 min

    Scrape up the browned bits, they flavor the sauce.

  4. Return the meatballs to the sauce and let simmer, covered. 12 min

    Keep the heat low, the sauce should never boil.

  5. Cook the rice in salted water, then serve with the meatballs and the remaining parsley. 11 min

    Spoon the sauce over the rice, it soaks up all the flavor.

Our tips to get it right

  • Shape the meatballs to roughly the same size, about the size of a walnut, so they all cook evenly.
  • If the sauce looks too thick toward the end, loosen it with a splash of warm broth or water instead of more cream.
  • Cook the rice while the meatballs simmer, so everything finishes at the same time.

The variations

  • Swap the ground chicken for ground turkey, the texture stays similar and the flavor is just as mild.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken meatballs with lentil or chickpea meatballs and keep the same creamy sauce.
  • For a quicker, kid friendly version, shape smaller meatballs, they cook faster and are easy to eat with a spoon alongside the rice.

What to serve it with

  • A simple green salad
  • Steamed seasonal vegetables
  • Sparkling water with lemon

Storage

The meatballs and sauce keep for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. You can freeze them without the rice for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in a skillet or saucepan, adding a little water if the sauce has thickened.

Questions about this dish

Can you make the meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can shape the raw meatballs the day before and keep them in a sealed container in the fridge. Cook them the same day you plan to serve them to keep their soft texture.

Can you substitute the heavy cream?

You can use regular heavy cream or half and half, the sauce will just be slightly thinner. Add it toward the end of cooking so it doesn't split.

How do you keep the meatballs from falling apart while cooking?

Avoid overmixing the meat mixture and let the meatballs brown well before turning them. A good crust from searing helps them hold together in the sauce.

Is this dish good for young kids?

Yes, the sauce is mild and not spicy, and the soft meatball texture works well for younger children. Shape smaller meatballs if you want them easier to handle.

How long does it take to make creamy chicken meatballs with rice?

Count 40 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in creamy chicken meatballs with rice?

About 530 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does creamy chicken meatballs with rice cost?

About €2.50 per serving, or €10.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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