Introduction
This dish is the ultimate comfort food—juicy, garlic-infused chicken balls smothered in buttery goodness and served over a rich, creamy Parmesan pasta. It’s the perfect combination of crispy, golden chicken bites and a silky, cheesy pasta sauce. Whether you’re making it for a cozy family dinner or impressing guests, this dish will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Ingredients:
For the Chicken Balls:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup reserved pasta water (if needed)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken Balls:
- In a large bowl, mix together ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and beaten egg until well combined.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a plate.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken balls and cook for 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
2. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat.
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in fresh parsley, then return the cooked chicken balls to the skillet, tossing to coat in the garlic butter sauce. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.
3. Cook the Pasta:
- Cook pasta according to package instructions in salted boiling water. Drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water if needed for the sauce.
4. Prepare the Creamy Parmesan Sauce:
- In a large skillet or saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream, stirring constantly.
- Add Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
5. Assemble the Dish:
- Add the cooked pasta to the creamy Parmesan sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
- Serve the pasta topped with garlic butter chicken balls and drizzle any remaining garlic butter sauce over the dish.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
Tips for Success:
- Extra Crispy Chicken Balls? Bake them at 400°F (200°C) for 15–18 minutes instead of frying.
- More Flavor? Add a squeeze of lemon juice to the garlic butter sauce for a fresh, zesty finish.
- Make It Lighter: Swap heavy cream for half-and-half or a mix of milk and cornstarch for a lighter sauce.
Why You’ll Love It:
This dish combines everything you love—crispy, juicy chicken, a creamy, dreamy pasta sauce, and a hint of garlic butter indulgence. It’s easy enough for a weeknight meal but impressive enough to serve for guests. Plus, the homemade chicken balls add an extra touch of love that store-bought meatballs just can’t compete with!
Enjoy.