03/11/2026
Chicken Piccata Meatballs
Twist on a classic: succulent chicken piccata meatballs in a bright lemon-caper sauce 🍋🧆. Serve over pasta or rice for a weeknight winner!
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 lb ground chicken 🍗
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀
- 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs 🍞
- 1/2 tsp salt 🧂
- 4 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
- 1 tbsp lemon zest 🍋
- 2 tbsp olive oil 🫒
- 1/2 stick (4 tbsp) butter 🧈
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce) 🧄
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour 🌾
- 1 cup chicken broth 🍲
- 1/4 cup capers 🫙
- 2 tbsp caper brine 🧴
- 1/4 cup lemon juice 🍋
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 combined—avoid overworking the meat.
2 Shape the mixture into meatballs using about 2 tbsp of mix per ball (should yield ~12–14 meatballs).
3 Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large sauté 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 30–45 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 6–7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8 Return the meatballs to the pan, spoon sauce over them, and simmer another 5–6 minutes until meatballs are cooked through (internal temp ~165°F/74°C) 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.