Thai Basil Chicken Meatballs

thai basil meatball blog graphic

We’re knee-deep in Spring Break madness over here in North Texas, and unlike most years past the BurntToast family is sitting tight and not traveling. Instead, choosing to create a “staycation” for the record books. We’ve already hit the park and the petting zoo, played with friends and picnicked and today we have some bowling and dinner on tap. It’s been good and relaxing and with the exception of a very few small sibling tussles, it’s even been surprisingly peaceful.

Of course, the only reason why we didn’t travel as we have in previous years was that I dropped the ball. I’m not sure why, but the idea of planning a trip this year was completely out of my realm of understanding, I couldn’t put the steps together, couldn’t think of a place to go and finally, once I had decided, realized it was way too late to get started.

Which is why I am now dead set on planning our summer vacations right now. I refuse to drop the ball again. We are going to have the most epic of all epic family vacations this summer if it kills me. And considering how much I hate planning things, it very well might.

I’ve tossed out a couple of, in my opinion, amazing ideas, from a European tour to a West Coast road trip that has been met with various degrees of excitement. But when I tossed out the idea of a Yellowstone vacation, my loving husband looked at me incredulously and said “No. You are NOT a nature person.”

Wait. Hold up. WHAT? Not a nature person? ME?

OK, so maybe I’m not a nature person yet. Maybe I’ve always been more of a “I like nature in that I enjoy drinking on patios” type. But what if I WANT to be a nature person, maybe just this one time?

Can’t I redefine myself for just this one trip? Or forever if I want to?

I’ve had a lot of personal definitions in my life, some that are forever definitions, ones that I will wear to the grave. And others that are more temporary, that I have either outgrown or shed like chameleon skin. I’ve had definitions that I love. And honestly, definitions that I hate and remember with shame. But they’re all a part of me somehow. I’m no more just one of them than I am all of them–I’m more a sum of all of their parts. They’ve each played into my story somehow, someway, shaping me into who I am today.

And even if I absolutely hate a definition of my past (I’m looking at you, weird pseudo-hippie definition of high school), it’s still a part of me. I can’t just ignore it, no matter how much I want to. And that’s ok. In order to move on with life and accept who I am and where I am, I have to make peace with the self-definitions I’ve held. I’ve got to look them in the eye and consider their weight, the weight I’m going to let them hold in my life, as I move on.

I mean, aren’t we all just groaning against the weight of our own skin, trying with each passing day to define ourselves? Isn’t self-definition and redefinition part of the human condition? What are we if we aren’t works in progress?

I reserve the right to define myself as a nature person this summer if I want to. Even if that means grumbling the whole time and hating the bug bites, the outdoor potties and the uncomfortable sleeping conditions. Even if it means deserving a sharp and pointed “I told you so” after the vacation ends.

And before we go demonizing my husband for trying to define me, I am going to add in fairness that he is almost always right; he knows me often better than I know myself, despite the fact that I won’t admit it and still stubbornly try to prove him wrong. Like that time when I thought that it would be a brilliant idea to take a trip to Vegas shortly after my middle son was born, and he looked at me and said “You’re going to hate it. You’re not a Vegas person.” And do you know what? He was 100% right.

I married well.

Thai Basil Chicken Meatballs

So today, this Irish American girl from the East Coast who is a wife, mother, and Child of God (by far, my most important definitions) is sharing a Thai Basil Chicken meatball recipe that defies all of these definitions. Because I am nothing if I am not an avid lover of all things Thai. Meatballs have always been a struggle for me to perfect, getting the texture right is somewhat of a science that evades me. That’s why I prefer Costco meatballs in my death row pasta meal (recipe for the sauce here). But somehow these chicken meatballs come together nicely. The texture is best when baked and the flavor can’t be beat. Don’t be intimidated by the jalapeno in the mix, the sweetness of the Thai basil balances them out. Now if you can’t find Thai basil, I’m sure that regular old basil will work. But if you can, it definitely sets itself apart. (And if you’re local, swing by and pick some from my garden. The stuff grows like a weed).

Peace, love and definition,

Meg

Update: If you love the idea of Thai Basil Chicken, but don’t feel like making meatballs (because let’s face it, sometimes you’re not up for the mess), check out the new Thai Basil Chicken Skillet recipe with all of the same flavors, half of the prep. ENJOY!

Thai Basil Chicken Meatballs

June 5, 2020

By:

Ingredients
  • For the Meatballs:
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 inch piece of ginger, grated
  • 1/4 cup minced Thai Basil (regular if you can't find Thai)
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed, finely diced
  • 1/4 finely minced white onion
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 piece of bread, toasted and blended into bread crumbs
  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • Salt and Pepper
  • For the Sauce:
  • 1/3 cup of soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1/4 cup minced Thai Basil
  • 2 Tablespoon coconut sugar
  • juice from 1/2 lime
Directions
  • Step 1 Preheat oven to 400.
  • Step 2 In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients for the meatballs and, using your hands, work to combine.
  • Step 3 Be sure not to overwork or you’ll have tough meatballs!
  • Step 4 Form into lacrosse ball sized balls and place on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper.
  • Step 5 Bake for 15 minutes.
  • Step 6 In a medium skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil until shimmering and add meatballs, cooking quickly just to brown them nicely. (this step is optional but I like the deep color that they get from doing this).
  • Step 7 Remove from pan and keep warm.
  • Step 8 Without wiping out the pan, add in ginger and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
  • Step 9 Add in soy sauce and sugar, stirring to combine.
  • Step 10 Heat for a few minutes until thickened, stirring, and then add in basil and meatballs.
  • Step 11 Spoon sauce over meatballs until coated.
  • Step 12 Serve over rice with steamed veggies.
Spice up your meatballs and take a Thai twist to tradition with these Thai Basil Chicken Meatballs. Sweet, spicy, tangy and smooth, they are sure to be a hit. Serve over rice, noodles or alone, these are a wonderful take on an old classic. #meatballs #thai #thaifood
Delicious. Moist. Tangy. These meatballs are slightly sweet and slightly spicy, the perfect mouthwatering combo that will keep you coming back for more. Coming together in just 20 minutes they're perfect for busy weeknight meals and are sure to be a hit with the whole family. #meatballs #familydinner
Easy and Delicious, this quick Thai Basil Meatball recipe is flavorful and unique. Throw them together over rice for a quick and easy family pleasing dinner!
These tangy yet sweet chicken meatballs are easy to prepare and come together in just 20 minutes. Perfect for the next time you're craving Thai food, but want something just a little different. Served over rice with a tangy sweet sauce, this is a meal the whole family will love.



2 thoughts on “Thai Basil Chicken Meatballs”

  • Hi I was looking at your Thai basil meatballs. Could I use ground ginger instead of fresh grated? If so how much for each? Also my diet is currently following macronutrients. You think I could substitute stevia for coconut sugar? And brags for soy sauce? And I only have some regular basil…

    • Absolutely! A general rule of thumb when subbing dried herbs for fresh is to use less (generally 3:1) because dried are much more potent than fresh. I would eyeball about a 1/2-1 teaspoon and go from there. I’ve never used the sub for coconut sugar but I would totally give it a try. It’s a pretty flexible recipe so I don’t think it will hurt it and yes on the brags too. Regular basil works in a pinch. Play with it–I’m honestly excited to hear how it turned out so I can give the update to the recipe if you love it!

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