03/11/2026
Chicken Piccata Meatballs
Twist on a classic: succulent chicken piccata meatballs in a bright lemon-caper sauce ๐๐ง. Serve over pasta or rice for a weeknight winner!
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 lb ground chicken ๐
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese ๐ง
- 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs ๐
- 1/2 tsp salt ๐ง
- 4 cloves garlic, minced ๐ง
- 1 tbsp lemon zest ๐
- 2 tbsp olive oil ๐ซ
- 1/2 stick (4 tbsp) butter ๐ง
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce) ๐ง
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour ๐พ
- 1 cup chicken broth ๐ฒ
- 1/4 cup capers ๐ซ
- 2 tbsp caper brine ๐งด
- 1/4 cup lemon juice ๐
INSTRUCTIONS:
1 Enlarge a bowl and combine the ground chicken, grated Parmesan, panko, 1/2 tsp salt, 4 cloves minced garlic and lemon zest. Mix gently until just combinedโavoid overworking the meat.
2 Shape the mixture into meatballs using about 2 tbsp of mix per ball (should yield ~12โ14 meatballs).
3 Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large sautรฉ pan over medium-high heat until shimmering.
4 Add the meatballs in a single layer and brown, turning every few minutes so all sides are golden. Cook for about 6 minutes total (they will finish cooking in the sauce). Remove meatballs to a plate.
5 Reduce heat to medium, add the butter to the same pan. When melted, add the 3 cloves minced garlic and cook 30โ45 seconds until fragrant.
6 Whisk in 1 tbsp flour and cook 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
7 Slowly whisk in the chicken broth until smooth, then add capers, caper brine and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer and let the sauce reduce and thicken for 6โ7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8 Return the meatballs to the pan, spoon sauce over them, and simmer another 5โ6 minutes until meatballs are cooked through (internal temp ~165ยฐF/74ยฐC) and sauce has thickened.
9 Taste and adjust seasoning with a pinch of salt or extra lemon if desired. Serve the meatballs spooned with sauce over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.