Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is a comforting and easy-to-make dish featuring juicy chicken meatballs coated in a rich garlic butter sauce, paired with velvety creamy parmesan pasta. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe combines simple ingredients and quick steps to deliver a flavorful, family-friendly meal that can be adapted to various dietary needs.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Balls
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter (divided)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta
- 8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Reserved pasta water (as needed)
- Extra parsley, for garnish
- Extra Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Balls: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, finely minced garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley. Mix gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Roll the mixture into small balls about the size of a walnut.
- Brown the Chicken Balls: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken balls in batches without overcrowding. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Lower the heat to low and add the remaining butter and minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté gently until fragrant but not browned, allowing the butter to absorb the garlic flavor.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining.
- Prepare the Creamy Parmesan Sauce: Stir the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese into the garlic butter sauce in the skillet. Simmer gently, whisking occasionally until the sauce thickens slightly. Add reserved pasta water little by little if a thinner consistency is desired.
- Combine and Serve: Return the browned chicken balls to the skillet and coat them in the creamy sauce. Toss in the drained pasta, ensuring all noodles are well coated. Garnish with chopped parsley and a sprinkling of extra Parmesan. Serve warm.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the chicken ball mixture to keep meatballs tender and juicy.
- Use fresh garlic for the best aromatic flavor in the sauce.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- Simmer the sauce on low heat to prevent cream from breaking.
- Chicken balls can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen for convenience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying and simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
Keywords: chicken meatballs, garlic butter sauce, creamy parmesan pasta, quick dinner, weeknight meal, family-friendly, gluten free option