Chicken Meatballs in a Cream Sauce

Ingredients for Chicken Meatballs (Tefteli):

• 1 – 1 1/4 lb ground chicken (I used ground chicken thighs)
• 1 cup cooked white rice, cooled to room temp or colder
• 1 large egg
• 1 small onion, grated
• 1 garlic clove, pressed
• 1/2 tsp salt (I used sea salt)
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/2 cup flour for dredging
• 2 Tbsp oil (I used extra LIGHT olive oil)

Ingredients for the Sauce:

• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt, or heavy cream)
• 1/2 to 1 tsp paprika (more if you like a little spice in your life)
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Freshly chopped parsley for garnish

How To Make Chicken Meatballs in a Cream Sauce:

1. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, 1 cup cooked rice, 1 egg, grated onion, 1 pressed garlic clove, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Mix well. Roll the meat into 1 to 1 1/4″ ball, then roll the balls in flour, dusting off excess.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 Tbsp oil. Transfer meatballs into the skillet and saute 4 minutes on the first side, then flip them over with tongs, cover, and cook another 3 minutes or until golden brown on all sides and cooked through, then remove to a plate.
3. In the same pan over medium heat, melt 2 Tbsp butter then whisk in 2 Tbsp flour and continue mixing until golden in color. Whisk in 2 cups chicken broth and stir until it starts to thicken. Add 1/4 cup sour cream and season to taste. I added: 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp sea salt 1/8 tsp black pepper.
4. Bring sauce to a simmer and stir until sauce thickens enough to lightly coat a meatball then stir in the meatballs, turning them to coat (keep in mind sauce will thicken more as it cools). Once the meatballs are warmed up, remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley or dill.

Serve over mashed potatoes or egg noodles. I loved them with pickles (there’s just something amazing about baby dills – let me know if you agree!).

Notes: I used my own KitchenAid meat grinder attachment and ground up some organic chicken thigh, but if you don’t have a meat grinder, you can use a good food processor or pre-ground chicken meat.