Saucy Chicken Piccata Meatballs Recipe

These Saucy Chicken Piccata Meatballs are a delightful twist on a classic Italian dish, offering tender, flavorful meatballs bathed in a tangy, buttery lemon-caper sauce. Imagine succulent ground chicken meatballs, infused with garlic, parsley, and parmesan, seared to golden perfection and then simmered in a bright, zesty piccata sauce. This dish is not only incredibly delicious but also surprisingly easy to prepare, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an elegant gathering.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Flavorful and Tender: The combination of garlic, parsley, and parmesan in the meatballs, paired with the tangy lemon-caper sauce, creates a symphony of flavors that will delight your taste buds.
• Quick and Easy: Ready in just 45 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, offering a delicious and satisfying meal without the fuss.
• Versatile and Customizable: Serve these meatballs with your favorite sides, such as pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice, and adjust the sauce to your liking by adding more lemon juice or capers.

this Recipe

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious Saucy Chicken Piccata Meatballs:

For the meatballs:

• Large egg: Binds the ingredients together, providing moisture and structure to the meatballs.
• Garlic: Finely minced, adds a pungent and aromatic flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the meatballs.
• Fresh chopped parsley: Provides a fresh, herbaceous note, adding brightness and a touch of green to the meatballs.
• Whole milk ricotta cheese: Adds a creamy, moist texture, ensuring the meatballs are tender and succulent.
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, nutty, and savory flavor, enhancing the richness of the meatballs.
• Panko breadcrumbs, plain or seasoned: Acts as a binder, absorbing moisture and providing a light, crispy texture to the meatballs.
• Smoked paprika: Adds a smoky, slightly sweet flavor, enhancing the depth of the meatball seasonings.
• Red pepper flakes: Provides a subtle heat, adding a pleasant kick to the meatballs.
• Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper: Used to season the meatballs, enhancing their natural flavors and ensuring a well-balanced taste.
• Ground chicken: The base of the meatballs, providing a lean and versatile protein source.
• Olive oil: Used for searing the meatballs, providing a neutral base that allows the other flavors to shine.

For the pan sauce:

• Butter, salted or unsalted: Provides a rich, buttery flavor, forming the base of the piccata sauce.
• Shallot: Chopped, adds a sweet and mild onion flavor, complementing the other ingredients in the sauce.
• Garlic: Finely minced, reinforces the garlic flavor from the meatballs, adding depth and complexity to the sauce.
• All-purpose flour: Acts as a thickening agent, creating a smooth and velvety sauce.
• Chicken broth: Provides a flavorful liquid base for the sauce, adding moisture and depth.
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice: Adds a bright, tangy flavor, creating the signature piccata taste.
• Capers: Adds a salty, briny flavor, complementing the lemon and enhancing the overall complexity of the sauce.

How to Make Saucy Chicken Piccata Meatballs

Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs

In a large mixing bowl, lightly beat the egg. Add the garlic, parsley, ricotta and parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, and salt/pepper. Stir until combined. Add the ground chicken and gently mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat. Shape the meatballs and set aside.

Step 2: Sear the Meatballs

Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Sear the meatballs in batches until browned on all sides. Set aside.

Step 3: Make the Pan Sauce

Add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the shallot and cook until translucent. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir until dissolved. Slowly stream in chicken broth, stirring constantly. Add lemon juice and capers. Bring to a simmer.

Step 4: Simmer the Meatballs

Reduce heat to low, add the meatballs to the sauce, and gently toss to coat. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, swirling the skillet occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the meatballs are cooked through.

Step 5: Serve

Remove from heat. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately with your favorite sides.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t Overwork the Meat: Gently mix the meatball mixture to prevent tough meatballs.
• Sear in Batches: Avoid overcrowding the skillet when searing the meatballs for even cooking.
• Adjust the Sauce: Customize the sauce by adding more lemon juice or capers to your liking.

How to Serve

• Main Course: Serve as a main course with pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice.
• Appetizer: Serve as an appetizer with toothpicks for dipping.
• Sandwiches: Use the meatballs and sauce to make delicious meatball sandwiches.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating:

Reheat the meatballs and sauce in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Add a splash of broth if the sauce is too thick.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
Yes, you can use ground turkey, but the flavor will be slightly different.

Can I add other vegetables to the sauce?
Yes, you can add vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or artichoke hearts.

Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and ensure your chicken broth is gluten-free.

Can I freeze this dish?
Yes, you can freeze the cooked meatballs and sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

There you have it! A delicious and easy-to-make recipe for Saucy Chicken Piccata Meatballs that’s perfect for any occasion. The combination of tender meatballs and tangy piccata sauce creates a truly unforgettable meal. Give it a try, and you’ll have a restaurant-quality dish ready in no time!

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