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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! 🙂
Hi Natasha. I do not remember how I got on your website, but I am sure glad I did. I was born and raised in Ukraine, western part near the Polish border. Growing up, I remember eating simple dishes but soooo delicious. And it is something I miss, although I try my best to cook the meals I grew up with and keep traditions. So, that being said, I think that I was looking for more familiar and homie dishes when I saw your website. I really like how you manage the website. I like the pictures and all small details you post about cooking/baking/ prepping and etc. It helps a lot, because I know what the dish should look like.
About this recipe: I made these meatballs with ground pork instead of chicken. I happened to have the pork, so used it and they turned out OMG!!!! I also added a little bit of freshly ground nutmeg at the end, just for the flavor, I guess… My mother would make these when I was a child but she never made them as meatballs, they were always kotlety; but the same concept. She never mixed it with cooked rice though. But these are really awesome. You can eat them with or without ANYTHING. Mmmmmm…
I check your website every day and print something new and then make it at home. I love it.
Thank you again for the awesome job and posting these delicious meals. Slavic food is really good!!!
Welcome to my site! I’m so happy you’re here! Thank you for sharing your story with me and your history with this recipe. I’m so happy you’re enjoying my recipes 🙂
Could you do a video on pelmeni? I know that’s a lot of work.😜
Alena, thank you so much of the suggestion. I will definitely keep it in mind 😁.
Hello Natasha,
Thanks for the recipe. I wanted to know how the taste would change if we added heavy cream versus sour cream. Please let me know. Thank you.
Emmie, sause will be a little less tangy and slightly creamier.
They all look delicious !!
Thank you 🙂
If I’m trying to be gluten free and omit the flour or add corn stArch to the sauce instead and don’t coat the meatballs in flour will it still work
I have not tested it that way, but I do think it’s worth a try. I think it would work without dredging them in flour, but you will need to thicken the sauce afterwards. I think a gluten-free flour would work to thicken the sauce.
Hi Natasha! Your blog is awesome)) thank you so much for such a great job! Your recipes are amazing. I read your blog every day to get inspiration for my cooking. I love your videos as well, just wish there were more of those. However with 2 small kids I can imagine how limited your time is. Thanks again Sweetheart, good luck with all your plans!
Thank you so much for your sweet comment 🙂 I’m so happy to hear that this is a place of inspiration for you :). That’s awesome!
Hi Natasha. I made this recipe twice. First time I was really impressed – especially the sauce – was super delicious. Second time ’round, I decided to add a few things only because that’s how I role. Added some crushed red chilies to the meatballs, some grated Parmigiana, some parsley and pureed the onion. Baked them in a super hot oven and they came out moist and flavorful. For the sauce I sauteed a few small shallots along with a couple cloves garlic before adding the flour then followed the rest of your sauce recipe. My Goodness -could not stop eating it. Thank You for posting such an Awesome recipe from your heritage – we need more of them.
Thank you for sharing your modifications – your ideas sound delicious! I’m so happy you’re enjoying the recipe 🙂
Thank you Very much. Natasha.
Fatty
You are welcome 😃.
My husband is going to love this! Love the cameo 🙂
Thanks Patty! 🙂
Hi Natasha.your family is lovely.
How can I do to enter the giveaway?
I really enjoy an do your delicious recipes. Thank you very much
Fatty
Hi :). Are you referring to the newsletter giveaway? All you have to do is be subscribed and you are already entered 🙂
Hi, Natasha, thank you for your blog. I have loved your recipes. I used to live close to Boise, and miss it. It is a nice place to live. I love your recipes. they have all been delicious. One of my tenants is from the Ukraine and he loves my cooking, and this is how I found your website. I look forward to more delicious recipes. Thank you. You are great!
It really is such a nice place to live. Thanks Maria and I hope you love the recipe! 🙂
Nathasha, I love your recipe!!!
Thank you so much Margie! 🙂
This is certainly a comforting meal, perfect for Friday night after a long week.
Thank you Coco, let me know how you like it 😀.
Natasha thank you so much for this recipe they turned really good so jucy😋 and so easy to make love love your blog👍🏻
Thank you Rimma, you are so sweet 😁.
Hi Natasha, I dont find ground chicken, just beef or turkey, would it work or not a good idea? thank you!!
Hi Nina, I grind my own chicken thighs (this can be done in a meat grinder or in a food processor (just dice up the meat first). I think turkey would work but ground turkey thighs would be juicier.
I think I need to watch this video again and focus more on the recipe lol because I was looking for the baby entire time lol
She’s So sweet!!!
Maybe she should make an appearance in every video, but then we’d never get any cooking done. lol. 🙂
Yes! I’m sitting here trying to scope out the ingredients and it looks like I have everything I need to make this! Looks super good! May have to try it out!
I love when that happens! Let me know what you think of them 🙂
Another awesome video! Especially that precious darling at the end:).
Simple, delicious dinner. Meatballs are always a big hit, especially with a creamy sauce.
Thank you so much Olga! I love that she snuck into the video :). I agree, meatballs are always a hit at our house too 🙂
Going to make it tomorrow for dinner. Thanks for the recipe, Natasha! Looks delicious!
Your little one is very gorgeous:)
Do you know any good recepies how to make печёночный торт из свинной печени?
Thank you so much Lilly 🙂 I don’t have any liver recipes as I’m not a big fan of liver myself so I’m not sure I’ll have one in the future either. Sorry I’m not much help!
I seriously just watched your video with not sound at work to just get a glimpse of that baby girl! She is so precious! She’s stealing the show!
Ha ha that’s awesome!! I agree. She’ll need her own cooking channel soon 🙂 It would probably be more like flour flying everywhere.