Description
These Chicken Piccata Meatballs are a light, flavorful twist on the classic chicken piccata dish. Ground chicken is combined with fresh herbs and a lemony, buttery caper sauce for a delicious, healthy meal. Perfect for dinner or as an appetizer, these meatballs are packed with savory goodness and a burst of zesty flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for low-carb)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for frying)
For the Piccata Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons butter (optional, for richness)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
-
Make the Meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs (or almond flour), Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Using your hands, form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter, and set them aside.
-
Cook the Meatballs:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the meatballs and cook in batches, if necessary, until they are browned on all sides and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per batch. Once cooked, remove them from the skillet and set them aside.
-
Prepare the Piccata Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the lemon juice, chicken broth, capers, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine and bring the sauce to a simmer.
- Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly. If you prefer a richer sauce, stir in the butter until melted and smooth.
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Combine Meatballs with Sauce:
- Add the cooked meatballs back into the skillet with the piccata sauce. Spoon the sauce over the meatballs and simmer for an additional 3-5 minutes, allowing the meatballs to soak up some of the sauce and heat through.
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Serve:
- Garnish the meatballs with fresh parsley and serve immediately with your choice of side, such as cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or a simple salad. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you prefer a lower-carb version, you can skip the breadcrumbs and use almond flour instead.
- You can substitute the chicken with ground turkey if you prefer.
- For extra flavor, add a few thin slices of lemon to the sauce while simmering, and remove them before serving.
- This dish pairs well with pasta or a vegetable side for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe (about 3-4 meatballs)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 40mg