A Kid-Friendly Meal: Tender Chicken Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

The kids are back in their routines, making this the perfect time for a comforting pot of tender chicken meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce. Serve them with white rice, mashed potatoes  or couscous for an easy family meal everyone will love.

This recipe is simple to prepare, and slow cooking the meatballs directly in the sauce helps keep them especially soft and juicy.

Tender Chicken Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Ingredients for the meatballs

• 1.1 pounds (500 grams) ground chicken
• 1 small onion, grated and lightly squeezed
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• A little black pepper
• 1 tablespoon oil

Ingredients for the sauce

• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 (14-ounce/400-gram) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon sugar, if needed
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 1/2 cups water

Directions

Place all the meatball ingredients in a bowl and mix just until evenly combined. Avoid overworking the mixture, as this can make the meatballs less tender. Cover and refrigerate for about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. Heat the oil in a wide pot over medium heat and sauté the onion until softened. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring so it does not burn.

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, paprika, sugar, salt, black pepper, and water. Stir well, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat slightly and cook for 10 minutes.

Lightly wet your hands and shape the chicken mixture into evenly sized meatballs. Gently place them into the sauce. The sauce should come at least halfway up the meatballs; if necessary, add a little more water.

Cover the pot and cook over low heat for about 30 minutes. Occasionally shake the pot gently to help distribute the sauce around the meatballs. Avoid stirring with a spoon at the beginning of cooking, when the meatballs are still delicate and more likely to fall apart.

Toward the end of cooking, remove the lid and simmer for another 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the chicken meatballs are completely cooked through at the center.

The Secret to Tender Chicken Meatballs

Don’t skip the grated onion, and resist the temptation to add extra breadcrumbs. Keeping the mixture moist and allowing the meatballs to cook slowly in the tomato sauce helps give them their soft, juicy texture.

Serve hot with white rice, mashed potatoes, or couscous.