Savor the vibrant flavors of Mexico with these delightful Albóndigas en Chipotle! These tender, bite-sized meatballs are simmered in a smoky, rich chipotle sauce, creating a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a festive gathering.
Ingridients
Adjust Servings
Nutrition
Carbohydrate
13 g
Cholesterol
119 mg
Fiber
2 g
Protein
23 g
Saturated Fat
7 g
Sodium
507 mg
Sugar
4 g
Fat
22 g
Unsaturated Fat
0 g
Follow The Directions
01
Step
Prepare the Tomato Sauce: In a blender or food processor, combine the chopped tomatoes, 1 quartered onion, 1 minced clove of garlic, and 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce. Blend until smooth. (5 minutes)
02
Step
Sauté the Sauce: Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Pour in the tomato mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and slightly thickened. (10 minutes)
03
Step
Simmer with Stock: Stir in the chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Continue to cook gently, uncovered, for another 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. (10 minutes)
04
Step
Prepare the Meatball Mixture: While the tomato sauce simmers, prepare the meatball mixture. In a blender or food processor, combine the tomatillos, eggs, roughly chopped onion, chipotle peppers, minced garlic, chicken bouillon, and chopped cilantro. Blend until smooth. (10 minutes)
05
Step
Combine and Form Meatballs: Transfer the tomatillo mixture to a large bowl. Add the ground beef, ground pork, and cooked rice. Gently mix everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. (5 minutes)
06
Step
Roll the Meatballs: Using your hands, roll the meat mixture into walnut-sized balls. (10 minutes)
07
Step
Simmer the Albóndigas: Carefully transfer the meatballs to the simmering tomato sauce. Gently stir to ensure they are submerged. (2 minutes)
08
Step
Cook Until Done: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer gently until the meatballs are cooked through and no longer pink in the center. (15-20 minutes) An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a meatball should read 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).
09
Step
Serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve hot with warm tortillas, a side of rice, and a fresh salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
For a smoother sauce, you can strain the tomato sauce after sautéing it.
If you prefer a spicier dish, leave the seeds in the chipotle peppers or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meatball mixture.
Feel free to adjust the amount of chicken bouillon to your liking. Taste and adjust as needed.
For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground meat with lentils or a plant-based ground meat alternative.
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Jarred Stehr
May 30, 2025I made this for a family gathering, and everyone raved about it. It was a huge hit!
Cassie Baumbach
May 30, 2025I've tried other albóndigas recipes before, but this one is by far the best. The addition of tomatillos in the meatball mixture is genius.
Jovani Grimes
May 23, 2025The instructions were clear and easy to follow. Even a beginner cook like me could make this recipe successfully.
Anastacio Heidenreich
Apr 26, 2025I added a little extra adobo sauce for a smokier flavor. It was delicious!
Joshua Heidenreich
Mar 21, 2025This recipe is amazing! The meatballs were so tender and flavorful, and the chipotle sauce had just the right amount of kick.