Cilantro Chicken Meatballs in Mango Coconut Sauce
User Reviews
4.7
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
45 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
392 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner, Others
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Cuisine
American
Cilantro Chicken Meatballs in Mango Coconut Sauce
Description
Cilantro Chicken Meatballs in Mango Coconut Sauce combine lean ground chicken with fresh herbs and spices to create flavorful meatballs. The mixture includes cilantro, red onion, jalapeño, and garlic for freshness and heat, along with turmeric and cayenne for color and warmth. After forming the meatballs, they are seared in toasted sesame oil until browned on all sides, which adds a toasty undertone and seals in juices.
Meanwhile, a coconut milk-based sauce is prepared by blending light coconut milk, diced mango, and soy sauce, producing a creamy and mildly sweet liquid that balances the spices in the meatballs. The browned meatballs simmer gently in this sauce, absorbing its flavors. Near the end, peas and julienned red bell pepper are added for a slight crunch and vegetable freshness.
The finished dish offers tender, mildly spicy meatballs in a smooth, tropical sauce. It's suitable served over grains like brown rice or quinoa, or alongside spiralized vegetables for a lighter option. Toppings such as roasted peanuts, green onions, fresh cilantro, and optional hot sauce add textural contrast and layered flavors.
Using light coconut milk keeps the sauce flowing and prevents it from becoming overly thick. Ground turkey may be substituted for chicken if preferred. Fresh or thawed frozen mango both work well for the sauce.
Ingredients
- For the meatballs:
- 1 pound ground chicken 93% lean, or lean ground turkey
- 1 egg
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs or if GF sub 2-3 tablespoons coconut flour
- ⅓ cup cilantro finely diced
- ¼ cup red onion finely diced
- 1 jalapeño seeded and finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ tablespoon ginger freshly grated, or ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon cumin ground
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- black pepper freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil toasted, can also use avocado oil or coconut oil
- For the coconut mango sauce:
- 1 coconut milk light, 15 ounce can
- 1 ½ cup Mango diced, can use frozen, just make sure you thaw it first
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce gluten free, or coconut aminos
- Add-ins:
- 1 red bell pepper julienned
- ¾ cup peas frozen, or edamame
- TO GARNISH:
- peanuts chopped, honey roasted
- green onion diced
- cilantro fresh
- hot sauce if desired
Instructions
- First, make your mango coconut sauce. Add coconut milk, diced mango, and soy sauce to a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
- Next, form your meatballs. In a large bowl, add the ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, cilantro, red onion, jalapeño, garlic, ginger, cumin, turmeric, cayenne, salt and pepper. Use clean hands to mix and form into 16 golf ball sized meatballs.
- Place a large deep skillet over medium-high heat and add in sesame oil. Add the meatballs and brown on all sides, about 5-6 minutes total. You may need to do this in batches, depending on how many meatballs you can fit in your skillet without overcrowding them.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and add your mango coconut sauce to the pan with the meatballs. Cover the pan, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, remove lid and gently stir in the peas and red bell pepper. Simmer for 5 more minutes uncovered.
- Serve with brown rice, quinoa or with spiralized zucchini or sweet potato. There will be lots of sauce, which makes it delicious! Garnish with chopped honey-roasted peanuts, scallions, cilantro, and top with hot sauce if desired. Serves 4
Notes
- Ground turkey can be used instead of ground chicken with similar results.
- Choose ripe fresh or thawed frozen mango for the sauce; both provide good flavor.
- Light coconut milk is best for the sauce since full-fat varieties can become too thick.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 392 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving (based on 4) | |
| Calories | 392cal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 25.6g | 9% |
| Protein | 24.9g | 50% |
| Fat | 21.1g | 32% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Fiber | 3.7g | 15% |
| Sugar | 11.2g | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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