Piri Piri Chicken Meatballs With Crispy Potatoes

Name: Piri Piri Chicken Meatballs With Crispy Potatoes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: Piri piri sauce; 10 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 2 red bell peppers, finely diced; 2 red onions, finely diced; 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste; 4 garlic cloves, smashed, peeled, and roughly chopped; 1 piri piri chile, roughly chopped; 6 tablespoons red wine vinegar; Meatballs and potatoes; 1 pound ground chicken, preferably a combo of white and dark meat; 2 piri piri chilies, minced; 2 large eggs; 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus more for pan-frying; 1/2 cup potato chip crumbs; 6 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tablespoons minced parsley; 2 tablespoons minced cilantro; 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest; 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika; 2 teaspoons salt, divided plus more to taste; 6 russet potatoes, scrubbed

Servings: persons

Piri piri sauce
10 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 red bell peppers, finely diced
2 red onions, finely diced
1 1/4 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
4 garlic cloves, smashed, peeled, and roughly chopped
1 piri piri chile, roughly chopped
6 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Meatballs and potatoes
1 pound ground chicken, preferably a combo of white and dark meat
2 piri piri chilies, minced
2 large eggs
5 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus more for pan-frying
1/2 cup potato chip crumbs
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons minced parsley
2 tablespoons minced cilantro
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons salt, divided plus more to taste
6 russet potatoes, scrubbed

1
Start the sauce. Add 4 tablespoons olive oil to a very wide skillet-big enough to get the peppers and onions as spread out as possible. Set the skillet over medium-high heat. When it's shimmery and hot, add the peppers and onions. Add the salt and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes until soft and caramelized.
2
When the vegetables are done, transfer half to a blender and half to the freezer (to speed cooling for the meatball-mixing). Add the garlic and chile to the blender and process until mostly smooth. Add the vinegar and rest of the olive oil and process until as smooth as possible. Season with salt to taste.
3
Add the ground chicken, chilies, eggs, 3 tablespoons olive oil, potato chip crumbs, garlic, parsley, cilantro, lemon zest, paprika, and 1 teaspoon salt to a big bowl. When the vegetables in the freezer are cool, add those, too. Mix until just combined. You don't want to overwork it, or you'll end up with dense meatballs. Stick the mixture in the fridge to set.
4
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425u00b0 F. Cut each potato in half lengthwise. Cut each half in half lengthwise. Now cut each half in half lengthwise again. This will yield 8 wedges from each potato. Add to a sheet pan. Drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 teaspoon salt. Toss. Lay each potato flat on one side. Bake for about 30 minutes, flipping the potatoes halfway through, until both sides are very colorful and crusty.
5
After the potatoes have been in the oven for 10 or so minutes, get going on those meatballs. Set a very large skillet (maybe the same one you used for the peppers and onions) over medium-high heat. Add enough olive oil to reach a 1/4-inch or so depth. When the oil is shimmery and hot, use a cookie scoop (figure about 1 1/2 tablespoons) to dollop the meatball mixture into the hot oil. If you don't have a scoop, you can use two spoons. The mixture is too wet to roll in your hands (because we don't want dry meatballs!). And you'll need to do this in batches-don't overcrowd. Cook for about 8 minutes-progressively turning as they brown on each side-until cooked through and crusty all over. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining meatballs.
6
Serve the meatballs and potatoes together with lots of piri piri sauce.

1313

kcal

Calories

Fat

122

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 21 ingredients. The key ingredients include: Piri piri sauce, 10 tablespoons olive oil, divided, 2 red bell peppers, finely diced, 2 red onions, finely diced, and more.

Yes, Piri Piri Chicken Meatballs With Crispy Potatoes falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!