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These plump and juicy chicken meatballs are delicious over egg noodles or creamy mashed potatoes. This is an easy chicken dinner idea for a busy weeknight and it comes together in less than 30 minutes. This is one of the top rated recipes on our blog (5-stars, 24 reviews) and we want you to see just how easy it is with this quick video. The flavors of the sauce are similar to that of Swedish meatballs but this is the slavic version, a.k.a. Tefteli.
Let’s go back in time to the old country (Ukraine) when I was a toddler. Most folks were poor and there was a huge separation between upper and lower class citizens with a very small margin for the middle class. I remember my Mom telling me stories of how she had to get up early to get milk at the market or they would sell out and there would be no milk to bring home (Mom had 5 kids under age 6 so she wisely made arrangements to buy milk from the neighbor’s cow). Ingredients, especially in wintertime, were scarce.
Times were difficult but out of that struggle, delicious things were created with common and inexpensive ingredients. Take this chicken meatballs recipe for example, It’s bulked up with rice so it’s less expensive to make for a large family but the flavor and texture are really good! Many of my recipes are that way and I love that about Slavic food – taking simple ingredients and turning them into something truly delicious. I think these will win you over.
Chicken Meatballs Video Tutorial:
I hope you enjoy this episode from our cooking channel. and be the first to see our videos. P.S. Can you spot the baby? I had no idea she was there while we were filming, but I do think she’s my favorite part of the show :).
Watch How To Make Chicken Meatballs:
CLICK HERE to Print Chicken Meatball Recipe.
Thank you so much for watching and have a happy week! 🙂
Can’t afford to pay anything so if so I can’t subscribe..if it is free I would love it.
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Sauce was great, but more seasoning needed in chicken. Will keep experimenting maybe with some ginger or chilli.
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I’m happy you enjoyed that Patty!
My family absolutely loves this recipe!!!!!!!!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you so much for this easy awesome recipe! We are enjoying it on our N.J. snow day!
I’m so happy you are enjoying this recipe! Thank you for sharing that with me, Celia!
Want to know–Do you cook your rice first?
Hi Millard! We used cooked rice!
I wish you had said that on video. I used raw. Bad!!!
Hi Barb, I’m sorry that happened. I just re-played the video and I did say “add one cup of cooked white rice.” To prevent that in the future, I highly recommend reading through the recipe first.
Soooo good! I cooked them for dinner yesterday and my picky 4-years old had a helping of tefteli with pasta. I freezed leftover with noodles and rice for my husband’s lunch, so he can take it to work and reheat. I am sure that will work, because I freezed previosly other cooked meatballs.
Hi Yelena! Yes these should be just fine after freezing! I’m happy you all enjoyed these!
Great recipe. I use a teaspoon of dijon mustard in my “gravy” as it adds a bit of “zing” to the taste. Enjoying your recipes very much. Brings back the wonderful days of cooking with my Mom and Mother-In-Law.
Awe that’s the best! Thank you for sharing that with me Lulu!
Hi! I was wondering if you can replace the chicken broth with heavy whipped cream?
Hi Sarah, the broth adds flavor and also helps to thin out the sauce. We only make this with the broth, but I think you would need to replace it with something else or the sauce would be overly thick with only cream especially since the meatballs are dredged in flour which also makes the sauce thicken up a little.
Hi!
I’m looking for some freezer friendly meals and was wondering if you tried to freeze these raw or cooked to cook later.. please let me know! Thank you!
Hi Rita, I haven’t tried freezing these so I’m not altogether sure how the sauce would hold up. I think it would be worth experimenting. If you test it out, let me know how it goes 🙂
👍
I am wanting to make these for a Christmas party but there is a meeting before the party starts. After they are completely done could I put them and the gravy in a crockpot on warm?
Hi Theresa, I think that would work for keeping them warm. If the meeting is going to be a long one, I would suggest stirring in 1 to 2 Tbsp of water into the sauce before placing into the crockpot so it doesn’t get dry.
Chicken meatballs look great, can”t wait to make some.
They are delicious Alfred! Please let me know what you think!
Made today, the inlaws were liking the meatballs before I made the sauce. Once the sauce was made and they tried that, they were hooked 🙂 The inlaws actually tried the sauce before I did, and when I did, wow, excellent! Followed the recipe as written, and used one small carton of Greek yogurt, perfect. Thank you for another outstanding recipe, Natasha! 5 Stars but I do not see rating to click.
You’re welcome Lee! I’m glad to hear how much everyone enjoys this recipe! Thanks for sharing your excellent review!
First recipe from here that we made. Delish!
I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for sharing your great review!
Made this recipe a few weeks ago. It was good! Will definitely make again.
Do you think ground turkey would work for this recipe?
Stephanie, one of the readers (Diane) wrote – “We loved it! I did substitute ground turkey for ground chicken because we have a wonderful supplier of turkey products in our area and it’s easier to come by. Other than that I didn’t change a thing.”
Hope this helps 😬
Natasha, thanks so much! I made them with ground turkey and they were delicious!! Will definitely be making these again!
You’re welcome Stephanie! I’m glad to hear you enjoy the recipe!
Another fav to ad to my meal rotation. So fast, easy and super delicious! Thanks again for another winner 👍🏻
You’re welcome Leah! Thanks for sharing your wonderful review! 😀