italian chicken meatballs

Chicken meatballs in a quick and easy piccata sauce are an easy and delicious weeknight meal your whole family will love. 

Chicken Piccata Meatballs

chicken

Italian seasoning

paprika

garlic

parsley, (leaves chopped)

breadcrumbs ((divided))

Kosher salt and black pepper

Extra virgin olive oil ((about 1/2 cup))

butter

lemons, (1 zested, both juiced)

dry white wine or chicken broth,

capers, (drained and rinsed)

Season the chicken: In a medium bowl, add the chicken, egg, Italian seasoning, paprika, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 of the chopped parsley leaves, and 1/4 cup of the breadcrumbs. Add a big pinch of kosher salt and black pepper (about 1/2 teaspoon each) and a drizzle of olive oil. Mix to combine.

Bread the meatballs: Onto a large plate, spread the remaining 1/4  cup breadcrumbs.

Shape the meatballs: Form the chicken mixture into small balls (about 1 heaping tablespoon each). Roll them in the breadcrumbs to coat.

Sear the meatballs: Into a large nonstick pan set over medium heat, add enough olive oil to coat (about 3 tablespoons). Once the oil begins to shimmer, arrange the meatballs in a layer without touching. Sear, turning until each side is golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. (You do not need to fully cook the chicken meatballs at this point, they will finish cooking in the sauce.) Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.

Make the sauce: Leaving any leftover chicken fat in the pan, add 3 tablespoons of olive oil and the ghee or butter. Stir over medium-high heat until melted, then add the garlic. Stir until fragrant, then add the lemon juice, white wine, and capers. Season with salt to taste, then ring the sauce to a boil.

Finish the meatballs: Turn the heat to low and nestle the meatballs back in the pan. Toss or spoon a bit of the sauce on top. Cover and simmer until the meatballs are cooked through and are no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes.

Serve: Sprinkle on the lemon zest and remaining chopped parsley (about 2 tablespoons). Serve hot, with plenty of piccata sauce spooned over top.

I've made these at least 3 times and I think this is my best batch yet. Followed the recipe to a T and they are SO good! Definitely one for the rotation. Thank you for sharing!

Delicious! I let the meatballs simmer for longer than suggested, and the sauce thickened up and made them taste amazing. My former-chef husband was very impressed.

Ground my own chicken for this and it was delightful! Loved it.

The sauce ends up being super oily. Why so much olive oil and then ghee on top of it?

This dish is spectacular!!! I only wish I had doubled the recipe. I love lemon so for me this was truly delicious and my husband absolutely loved it as well.

This recipe is so so so good! I’ve been making it weekly since I discovered this. A perfect weeknight meal.

I love chicken piccata but this was a really great spin on it.  Served it over bastamanti rice and it was so good—my husband said I can make this whenever I want!  Next time I’ll make more sauce for the rice to soak up.  Delicious!

https://content.jwplatform.com/videos/kXDwJFFu.mp4

An easy, flavor-packed meal your whole family will love!

Best Italian Chicken Meatballs

chicken breast (or ground beef)

breadcrumbs

salt

black pepper

parsley

thyme

sage

rosemary

ground dried porcini mushrooms

For the Tomato Sauce:

extra virgin olive oil

garlic (minced)

can imported Italian San Marzano tomatoes

basil

Combine all the meatball ingredients in a food processor or a large mixing bowl and combine. Form into 1-inch or larger meatballs. Heat the oil in a large skillet and lightly brown on all sides. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Add the garlic to the skillet and saute for one minute. Add the tomato puree and bring to a rapid boil for 2 minutes. Add the salt, parsley and basil and simmer for another 3-5 minutes.Return the meatballs to the sauce, stir to coat, cover and simmer over medium for about 15 minutes.Serve with pasta.*These meatballs freeze well (see note).

Wish I could give it 10 Stars as it is deserving of a 10.  I have made these meatballs and sauce a dozen times.  I have never had such a delicious combination.  It is better than what I have eaten during my travels in Italy.  It is well worth the effort to stock up on all the ingredients listed in this recipe as you will want to make this more than once.  My wife and kids get really happy when I tell them this is for dinner.  Thanks so much for sharing such a delicious recipe.  I thank you every time I make it.

Just made these last night using the pores of a PNW fall king bolete from a couple years ago (I'd been saving them waiting for the right moment/recipe!) and ground chicken thighs. They were absolutely delicious! Super moist and flavorful --I'm so excited that you shared this recipe! Great chicken meatballs for years to come!

Oh, how amazing is this recipe!!! LOVE the very vibrant red from the sauce.

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Chicken Piccata Meatballs

Chicken Piccata Meatballs

Best Italian Chicken Meatballs

Top 3 italian chicken meatballs recipes from across the web

The most viewed italian chicken meatballs recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Chicken Piccata Meatballs

Chicken Piccata Meatballs

Best Italian Chicken Meatballs

The most viewed italian chicken meatballs recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine