• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Category Index
  • How To

Indian Ambrosia

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Category
  • Recipe Collections
  • Chicken
  • Vegetarian
  • Subscribe
  • Instant Pot
  • Quick & Easy
  • What's New
  • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Category
    • Recipe Collections
    • Chicken
    • Vegetarian
    • Subscribe
    • Instant Pot
    • Quick & Easy
    • What's New
    • About
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    You are here: Home » Chicken

    Published: Oct 18, 2020 · Modified: Sep 3, 2021 by Saima · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases · This blog generates income via ads.

    Chicken Meatballs and Rice

    355 shares
    • 106
    Jump to Recipe
    meatballs and rice in bowl

    Chicken meatballs and rice is a delicious one-pot dinner that's big on both taste and looks. Ground chicken is mixed with onion, garlic, herbs and spices, shaped into balls, and shallow fried to golden-brown, buttery perfection in the instant pot. The meatballs and rice are then pressure cooked in broth, and finally topped with tomatoes and slivered almonds. You won't be able to resist this flavor-packed meal!

    meatballs and rice in bowl

    There's something so wholesome about one-pot meals made in the pressure cooker. Take these spiced chicken meatballs with rice. The rice is cooked right along in the same pot, and the simple combination of meatballs with rice makes for a comforting, nutritious and easy meal that will please just about anyone, even picky eaters.

    Of course, if you're in the mood for a quick and tasty snack, you can devour the chicken meatballs without ever cooking them in the rice! Can't say it hasn't happened in these parts;) However, if you're looking for a complete meal, follow the recipe to the end including the garnishes. It will be very worth it, I promise. The flavors and aroma of this dish are deep and rich, and you won't be disappointed. Guaranteed!

    What goes into these meatballs with rice?

    Note: exact quantities of ingredients are given in the recipe card further down.

    ingredients for meatballs and rice

    How to make chicken meatballs and rice in the instant pot

    Preparation

    • Cut the tomatoes into quarters and keep aside for later.
    • Chop the onion finely.
    • Mince the garlic cloves.
    • Whisk the egg lightly with a fork.
    • Transfer the ground chicken to a large bowl and add the chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, bread crumbs, chilli flakes, dried thyme, parsley flakes, black pepper and salt to taste. Mix these ingredients using your hands or a large spoon.
    • Grease your hands lightly with some oil and take about one tablespoon of the mixture in the palm of your hand. Roll into a ball and keep on a platter. Repeat until all the mixture is used up.
    chicken meatballs on a glass plate

    Cooking

    • Heat the butter in the steel insert of your instant pot (on the sauté setting).
    • Slide in the meatballs and fry these in batches until golden brown. Remove onto a platter.
    • Rinse the rice and spread it in a layer on the bottom of the pot. Arrange the fried meatballs on top of the rice, pour the broth over the balls and secure the lid. Pressure cook for 5 minutes. Wait for 10 minutes after the pot beeps, then release pressure.
    • Open the pot and fluff the rice. Garnish with the slivered almonds, quartered tomatoes. I also like to drizzle some melted butter mixed with parsley flakes over the rice for extra flavor. Serve hot.
    chicken meatballs with rice in bowl

    Some useful tips and notes

    • Do not rinse the ground chicken, rather use it straight from the packet. If there is even a little water in it, you will find it difficult to shape it into balls.
    • Do rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Rinsing the rice will soften it and make it easier to cook.
    • I used Tilda Basmati rice in this recipe (affiliate link). This is a good quality long grain white rice and I find that it cooks perfectly in the instant pot. Of course, you can use your favorite brand of rice if that's what you are used to.
    • The ratio of rice to liquid (in this case, chicken broth) is important to know. For one cup of rice, one and a quarter cups liquid (1: 1.25) work perfectly. As you increase the quantity of rice, also increase the liquid proportionately and you'll be fine.
    • The egg and breadcrumbs bind the chicken meat and make sure the balls don't break at any point in the cooking process. If for some reason you do not have completely dry meat, you can also add a little roasted chickpea flour to it. Chickpea flour will absorb most of the water and make it easier to shape the meat into balls.
    • If using chickpea flour (available in most supermarkets), take about 3-4 tablespoons of the flour in a small frypan and set it on medium heat on the stovetop. Stir the flour with a spoon continuously to prevent scorching. The flour is roasted when the color darkens and it starts giving off a distinct aroma.
    • Don't like ground chicken? Make these meatballs with your choice of meat. Lamb, beef, turkey...anything you fancy works here.
    • This recipe makes enough for leftovers. Simply reheat in a microwave the next day and eat:)
    spiced chicken meatballs over rice in bowl

    More meat and rice recipes you might like

    Keema Biryani - Keema biryani is a fun variation of the classic Indian biryani. Made with ground lamb meat instead of meat chunks, it has the same unbeatable taste and flavor in every forkful of rice!

    Yakhni Pulao - A classic meat and rice dish with deep but subtle flavors. Long-grain Basmati rice teams up with the choicest cuts of bone-in mutton and whole spices to make this aromatic pulao! 

    Easy Chicken Pulao - Another delicious one-pot chicken pulao recipe that's super easy to make with just a few ingredients. It is the perfect weeknight meal.

    chicken and rice in bowl

    Chicken Meatballs and Rice

    Saima Zaidi
    Chicken meatballs and rice is a delicious one-pot dinner that's big on both taste and looks.
    4.67 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American
    Calories 296.2 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb ground chicken meat
    • 1 small onion chopped
    • 1 egg whisked
    • ¼ cup plain breadcrumbs
    • 4 cloves garlic minced
    • ½ teaspoon parsley flakes
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
    • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
    • ½ teaspoon chilli flakes
    • salt to taste
    • 2 tablespoon butter
    • 2 cups Basmati rice rinsed and drained
    • 2 ½ cups chicken broth
    • 2 small tomatoes quartered
    • 2 tablespoon almonds slivered

    Instructions
     

    • Transfer the chicken to a large bowl and add the onion, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, black pepper, thyme, chilli flakes and salt. Mix well, grease the palm of your hand with oil, and shape into balls. You would need approximately one tablespoon mixture to make one ball. 
    • Switch on your instant pot to sauté mode and heat the butter in the steel insert. Slide in the meatballs and fry on medium heat until golden brown. Remove onto a platter. Fry in batches if you have to. Cancel sauté. 
    • Spread the rice in a layer at the bottom of the steel insert. Arrange the fried meatballs in a single layer on top of the rice and pour the broth on top. Secure the lid, make sure the steam release handle is on 'sealing' and press the pressure cooking button (high). Set the timer to 5 minutes. When the timer goes off, wait ten minutes before releasing the steam and opening the pot. 
    • Garnish with the slivered almonds and tomatoes. Drizzle some melted butter mixed with extra parsley on top of the rice. Serve hot. 

    Notes

    1. Don't rinse the ground chicken or you will find it difficult to shape into balls.
    2. If your ground chicken mixture is wet for any reason, add some roasted chickpea flour (about 3-4 tablespoons) to it. It will absorb most of the moisture.
    3. Substitute chicken for the meat of your choice. The cooking times will remain the same. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 296.2kcalCarbohydrates: 36.7gProtein: 14gFat: 10.1gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.8gCholesterol: 74.7mgSodium: 393.1mgFiber: 1.5gSugar: 0.9g
    Keyword chicken and rice dinner, chicken meatballs with rice, instant pot meatballs and rice
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « Dal Gosht (Meat with Lentils)
    Chicken Changezi »
    355 shares
    • 106

    Reader Interactions

    Thanks for coming! Let me know what you think: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    headshot of Saima

    Hi, I'm Saima! I live in Alberta, Canada with my husband and twin boys. Here, you'll find Indian recipes with fresh, natural ingredients and easy, no-fuss cooking techniques. Welcome to my blog!

    More about me →

    Popular Posts

    • Chicken Malai Tikka
    • Crispy and Fluffy Puri Recipe (Fried Indian Poori Bread)
    • Lamb Karahi Gosht (Indian Lamb Curry)
    • Beetroot Sabzi (Chukandar Sabzi)

    Web Stories

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy

    Newsletter

    • Subscribe for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Indian Ambrosia

    Indian Ambrosia uses cookies to improve your experience. If you continue to use this site, we will assume you're okay with the terms:) GOT IT Read More
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT