Zesty and Savory Chicken Piccata Meatballs
If you love the classic flavors of chicken piccata but are looking for a fun and unique twist, these Chicken Piccata Meatballs are the perfect solution! They combine tender, juicy meatballs with the tangy, lemony, and briny goodness of piccata sauce. Whether you serve them over pasta, rice, or enjoy them on their own, these meatballs pack a ton of flavor and come together in just 30 minutes. It’s a light yet satisfying dish that’s perfect for a weeknight meal or when you want to impress guests with something delicious and comforting.
Why You’ll Love These Chicken Piccata Meatballs
These meatballs are a fresh take on the classic Italian piccata dish. The combination of zesty lemon, savory parmesan cheese, and sharp capers makes each bite burst with flavor. Ground chicken keeps the meatballs tender and lean, while the rich piccata sauce, made with chicken broth, capers, and lemon juice, adds a delightful brightness. This is a one-pan dish that’s easy to make, full of vibrant flavors, and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 stick butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup capers + 2 tablespoons caper brine
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
Directions:
1. Prepare the Meatballs:
- Combine Ingredients:
In a large bowl, mix together the ground chicken, grated parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, salt, minced garlic, and lemon zest. Stir until the mixture is well combined. - Form the Meatballs:
Using about 2 tablespoons of the mixture per meatball, shape the mixture into balls. This should yield approximately 16-18 meatballs, depending on the size.
2. Cook the Meatballs:
- Heat the Oil:
In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. - Brown the Meatballs:
Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs to the pan. Cook them for about 6 minutes, turning every few minutes to brown all sides evenly. Once cooked through and golden brown, remove the meatballs from the pan and set aside.
3. Make the Piccata Sauce:
- Melt the Butter:
In the same pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. - Whisk in the Flour:
Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a roux. This will help thicken the sauce. - Add the Liquids:
Slowly whisk in the chicken broth until the sauce begins to thicken. Stir in the capers, caper brine, and lemon juice. Let the sauce simmer for 6-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
4. Finish the Meatballs:
- Return the Meatballs to the Pan:
Add the meatballs back into the pan with the sauce. Cook for an additional 5-6 minutes, spooning the sauce over the meatballs as they heat through.
5. Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve:
These Chicken Piccata Meatballs are incredibly versatile. Serve them over a bed of pasta or rice, or simply enjoy them on their own with the tangy piccata sauce generously spooned over the top.
Notes:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Calories: 320 kcal per serving
- Servings: 4 servings
A Perfect Balance of Savory and Zesty
Chicken Piccata Meatballs are the ideal combination of savory, citrusy, and briny flavors, creating a delicious and well-rounded dish. The tender chicken meatballs paired with the bright lemony sauce and sharp capers make for a mouthwatering meal that is both comforting and refreshing. Whether you’re making dinner for your family or entertaining guests, this quick and easy recipe is sure to be a hit!
Chicken Piccata Meatballs
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
These Chicken Piccata Meatballs are a flavorful twist on the classic Italian dish, featuring tender, juicy meatballs infused with parmesan, garlic, and lemon zest. The meatballs are cooked to golden perfection and then simmered in a rich, tangy sauce made with chicken broth, capers, and fresh lemon juice. The sauce adds an irresistible brightness to the dish, with the savory flavors of garlic and butter perfectly complementing the zesty lemon.
Ingredients
1 lb ground chicken
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 stick butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon flour
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup capers + 2 tablespoons caper brine
1/4 cup lemon juice
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, grated parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, salt, minced garlic, and lemon zest. Mix until well combined.
Shape the mixture into meatballs using 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture for each ball.
Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs and cook, turning them every few minutes for even browning, about 6 minutes total. Remove the meatballs from the pan and set aside.
In the same pan, melt the butter and add the minced garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, then slowly whisk in the chicken broth.
Add the capers, caper brine, and lemon juice, and let the sauce simmer for 6-7 minutes, allowing it to thicken.
Return the meatballs to the pan and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes, spooning the sauce over the meatballs as they finish cooking.
Serve the meatballs over pasta, rice, or enjoy them as they are, generously topped with the lemony caper sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 320