Chicken meatballs in tomato sauce with basil
These chicken meatballs in tomato sauce are a perfect choice for a Sunday lunch, bringing a touch of sunshine to the plate thanks to their fresh flavors and delicate texture. With a rich tomato sauce and a hint of fresh basil, this recipe not only satisfies your hunger but also embraces the tradition of home cooking.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 35 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 450 g boneless chicken breast (or boneless chicken thighs for a juicier texture)
- 1 medium onion
- 1 carrot
- 2 tablespoons rice (well washed)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
For the sauce:
- 2 cups tomato juice
- 6 tablespoons tomato pepper paste
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoons sugar (to balance the acidity of the sauce)
- 3 cloves of fresh garlic
- Fresh basil (for serving and flavor)
Preparation
1. Preparing the ingredients: Start by finely chopping the chicken breast and onion. You can use a food processor to save time. Grate the carrot on a small grater. These ingredients will give a uniform texture to your meatballs.
2. The meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine the minced chicken, onion, grated carrot, rice, egg, salt, thyme, and oregano. It is essential to mix well. I prefer to use my hands to blend the mixture so that all the ingredients combine perfectly.
3. Shaping the meatballs: In a 2-3 liter pot, add water with a little salt and bring to a boil. Wet your hands with a little oil (this will prevent the meatballs from sticking) and form balls the size of a golf ball. You can make about 18 meatballs, but the number may vary depending on the desired size.
4. Boiling the meatballs: When the water starts to boil, carefully add the meatballs. Let them boil until they rise to the surface, which will take about 10 minutes. Once they float, remove them with a slotted spoon and place them in an oven-safe dish. You may need a second dish, as I did, so make sure you have enough containers ready.
5. Preparing the sauce: In a bowl, mix the tomato juice with the tomato pepper paste. Add the salt, sugar (which will reduce the acidity of the sauce), minced garlic, and chopped basil. Mix well until combined.
6. Combining and baking: Pour the sauce over the meatballs and cover the dish (or dishes) with aluminum foil to retain moisture. Preheat the oven to 185 degrees Celsius and bake the meatballs for 30-35 minutes. At the end, remove the foil and sprinkle chopped fresh basil on top for added flavor and color.
Practical tips
- Types of meat: Choose the chicken you prefer. Thighs offer a juicier texture, while breast is leaner and may require more attention to cooking to avoid drying out.
- Sugar in the sauce: Don’t hesitate to add sugar to the tomato sauce. It will neutralize the acidity and bring balance, making the sauce more pleasant to taste.
- Spicy version: If you like spicy food, you can add a little chopped chili pepper to the sauce.
- Serving: These meatballs are delicious served with pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice. A fresh salad on the side will perfectly complete the meal.
Nutritional benefits
These chicken meatballs are rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals, thanks to the fresh ingredients. Chicken meat is an excellent source of lean protein, while the vegetables add fiber and essential nutrients. Additionally, basil not only provides flavor but also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use turkey instead of chicken?
Yes, turkey meat is a healthy and delicious alternative.
- How can I make the meatballs less fatty?
Use skinless chicken and avoid adding oil to the mixture.
- Can I freeze the meatballs?
Yes, you can freeze the uncooked meatballs. Make sure to place them in airtight containers.
Personal stories
This recipe reminds me of the days spent in the kitchen with my grandmother. I loved helping her prepare Sunday meals, and the aroma of fresh basil was always present. It is an ingredient that brings back warm and loving memories spent with loved ones.
Now that you have all the necessary details, all that’s left is to start cooking! Your chicken meatballs in tomato sauce with basil will surely become a family favorite. Bon appétit!
These chicken meatballs in tomato sauce are a perfect choice for a Sunday lunch, bringing a touch of sunshine to the plate thanks to their fresh flavors and delicate texture. With a rich tomato sauce and a hint of fresh basil, this recipe not only satisfies your hunger but also embraces the tradition of home cooking.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 35 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 450 g boneless chicken breast (or boneless chicken thighs for a juicier texture)
- 1 medium onion
- 1 carrot
- 2 tablespoons rice (well washed)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
For the sauce:
- 2 cups tomato juice
- 6 tablespoons tomato pepper paste
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoons sugar (to balance the acidity of the sauce)
- 3 cloves of fresh garlic
- Fresh basil (for serving and flavor)
Preparation
1. Preparing the ingredients: Start by finely chopping the chicken breast and onion. You can use a food processor to save time. Grate the carrot on a small grater. These ingredients will give a uniform texture to your meatballs.
2. The meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine the minced chicken, onion, grated carrot, rice, egg, salt, thyme, and oregano. It is essential to mix well. I prefer to use my hands to blend the mixture so that all the ingredients combine perfectly.
3. Shaping the meatballs: In a 2-3 liter pot, add water with a little salt and bring to a boil. Wet your hands with a little oil (this will prevent the meatballs from sticking) and form balls the size of a golf ball. You can make about 18 meatballs, but the number may vary depending on the desired size.
4. Boiling the meatballs: When the water starts to boil, carefully add the meatballs. Let them boil until they rise to the surface, which will take about 10 minutes. Once they float, remove them with a slotted spoon and place them in an oven-safe dish. You may need a second dish, as I did, so make sure you have enough containers ready.
5. Preparing the sauce: In a bowl, mix the tomato juice with the tomato pepper paste. Add the salt, sugar (which will reduce the acidity of the sauce), minced garlic, and chopped basil. Mix well until combined.
6. Combining and baking: Pour the sauce over the meatballs and cover the dish (or dishes) with aluminum foil to retain moisture. Preheat the oven to 185 degrees Celsius and bake the meatballs for 30-35 minutes. At the end, remove the foil and sprinkle chopped fresh basil on top for added flavor and color.
Practical tips
- Types of meat: Choose the chicken you prefer. Thighs offer a juicier texture, while breast is leaner and may require more attention to cooking to avoid drying out.
- Sugar in the sauce: Don’t hesitate to add sugar to the tomato sauce. It will neutralize the acidity and bring balance, making the sauce more pleasant to taste.
- Spicy version: If you like spicy food, you can add a little chopped chili pepper to the sauce.
- Serving: These meatballs are delicious served with pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice. A fresh salad on the side will perfectly complete the meal.
Nutritional benefits
These chicken meatballs are rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals, thanks to the fresh ingredients. Chicken meat is an excellent source of lean protein, while the vegetables add fiber and essential nutrients. Additionally, basil not only provides flavor but also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use turkey instead of chicken?
Yes, turkey meat is a healthy and delicious alternative.
- How can I make the meatballs less fatty?
Use skinless chicken and avoid adding oil to the mixture.
- Can I freeze the meatballs?
Yes, you can freeze the uncooked meatballs. Make sure to place them in airtight containers.
Personal stories
This recipe reminds me of the days spent in the kitchen with my grandmother. I loved helping her prepare Sunday meals, and the aroma of fresh basil was always present. It is an ingredient that brings back warm and loving memories spent with loved ones.
Now that you have all the necessary details, all that’s left is to start cooking! Your chicken meatballs in tomato sauce with basil will surely become a family favorite. Bon appétit!