Chicken Meatballs And Spicy Peanut Sauce

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs, i used a combo of fresh and dry
• 1/2 cup finely diced onion
• 1/2 cup finely diced red bell pepper
• 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste this adds heat
• 1 1/2 teaspoons grated ginger, divided 1 teaspoon plus 1/2 teaspoon
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 cup light coconut milk, i used regular
• 1/3 cup chunky peanut butter, i used plain
• 1 cup chicken broth, low sodium if desired
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce, low sodium if desired
• 1 -2 tablespoon sambal oelek, for added heat (to taste)
• 2 tablespoons cilantro (to garnish)
• 2 tablespoons scallions, sliced for garnish
• 3 cups cooked basmati rice

Recipe

• 1 in a large bowl, combine onion*, red pepper*, cilantro, egg, salt, cayenne and 1 teaspoon of the ginger, then add bread crumbs and chicken, combine well with spoon or hands. *i pulsed the pepper and onion in the food processor until fine, then used a paper towel blotting to remove excess moisture.
• 2 mix well and form into 20 meatballs. i used a 1/8 c measure or medium cookie scoop.
• 3 add 1 tablespoon of the oil to a large saute pan over medium heat. add half the meatballs and brown on all sides, 5 to 6 minutes total; remove to a plate. repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon oil, if necessary, and remaining meatballs; set aside. drain off any excess oil.
• 4 in same pan, combine coconut milk, peanut butter, chicken broth, soy sauce and remaining 1/2 teaspoon ginger and sambal oelek if using. stir constantly over medium heat to melt peanut butter.
• 5 bring to a simmer and cook 2 to 3 minutes, until slightly thickened. add meatballs to sauce, cover pan and cook 5 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through. i let them simmer for about 30 minutes. check for seasoning.
• 6 serve meatballs and peanut sauce over rice. garnish with cilantro and green onion, if desired.