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Creamy Swedish-style Meatballs

Developed for CFC by Nancy Guppy, RD, MHSc
These chicken meatballs are a perfect dish to bring to a potluck. They’ll be gone before your eyes, thanks to the rich-tasting but light creamy sauce.
Serves
Serves 16
These chicken meatballs are a perfect dish to bring to a potluck. They’ll be gone before your eyes, thanks to the rich-tasting but light creamy sauce.
Creamy Swedish-style Meatballs
1 lb
ground chicken, lean
450 g
1/2 cup
breadcrumbs
125 mL
1/2 cup
onion(s), minced
125 mL
1
egg(s), medium, beaten
1
3 Tbsp
1% milk
45 mL
1/4 tsp
allspice, ground
1.25 mL
1/4 tsp + 1/2 tsp
salt
1.25 mL + 2.5 mL
1/2 tsp
pepper
2.5 mL
1 Tbsp
canola oil
15 mL
2 Tbsp
all-purpose flour
30 mL
2 cups
low-sodium chicken broth
500 mL
1 Tbsp
Worcestershire sauce
15 mL
1/2 tsp
black pepper, freshly ground
2.5 mL
1/2 tsp
dill, dried
2.5 mL
1/4 tsp
cinnamon
1.25 mL
1/2 cup
light sour cream
125 mL
3 cups
cranberries, fresh or frozen
750 mL
1/3 cup
water
75 mL
1/3 cup
sugar
75 mL
4 sprigs
parsley, fresh (optional)
4 sprigs
Preparation
Serves
Serves 16
  
Cook time : 2 hours
 | 
Preparation time : 10 min
Creamy Swedish-style Meatballs
1
Add ground chicken, bread crumbs, finely minced onion, beaten egg, milk, allspice, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and pepper to a bowl. Mix by hand until just combined (do not over mix).
2
Divide meat mixture into 4 equal pieces and then divide further into 4 equal size cocktail meatballs – about 1 inch (2.5 cm). Roll in your hands to make compact balls and place on a clean tray.
3
Combine frozen or fresh cranberries with sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring to a low boil and simmer for about 10 minutes or until sauce starts to thicken and most of the cranberries have burst. Add to slow cooker.
4
Make roux by heating oil in non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add the flour and whisk to combine. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Slowly add chicken stock and stir to incorporate into roux. Heat over medium heat and whisk until sauce bubbles and thickens. Season with Worcestershire sauce, ground black pepper, remaining salt, dill weed and cinnamon and stir thoroughly. Whisk in sour cream. Pour sauce into slow cooker and stir to mix with cranberry sauce.
5
Place meatballs into slow cooker spacing them so they are not touching each other. Stir gently to coat. Cover; cook on high setting for 1-2 hours until cooked through and temperature of meatballs reach 165°F (74°C).
6
Serve immediately or keep warm on low-setting for up to 2 hours. Serve as an appetizer piled high on a platter with cocktail picks. Garnish with sprigs of fresh parsley.
Notes: This is a healthier version of Swedish meatballs. The fat and saturated fat is reduced by using lean ground chicken instead of the traditional ground beef/pork. Fat is further reduced by not frying the meatballs in butter. Cranberry sauce is added to the sour cream base to lend a beautiful pink color. Serve as a party appetizer or as a main course with mashed potatoes and the cranberry sauce on the side.