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Mix up your regular chicken piccata with these Chicken Piccata Meatballs. Deliciously made with lemon zest, garlic, and a caper sauce!
The easiest homemade chicken piccata meatball recipe
Chicken piccata is always a good idea. From the lemon juice to the capers, the flavor is always top notch, and the dish always hits the spot! This week, try mixing things up a bit by making chicken piccata meatballs. The simple recipe is made quite similarly to the original dish and makes 20 meatballs. That’s 4-5 large servings!
I love to prepare this dish during the week because the quick cook time makes for an easy meal. The whole dish comes together in under half an hour and can be enjoyed over pasta or rice. If preferred, you can also enjoy the meatballs as is! The caper and garlic sauce makes for a complete flavor.
Ingredients in chicken piccata meatballs
These meatballs made with chicken come together with the help of breadcrumbs and parmesan. They’re flavored with garlic, salt, and lemon zest for the most delicious result!
- Ground chicken: The dish begins with a base of 1 lb of ground chicken. Feel free to substitute with ground turkey!
- Parmesan cheese: From there, we’ll use 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
- Panko breadcrumbs: 2/3 cup of panko breadcrumbs are going to help all of the ingredients bind together. They’ll also help thicken up the meatballs.
- Salt: Add flavor with 1/2 tsp of salt.
- Garlic: Follow the salt with 4 cloves of minced garlic.
- Lemon zest: Next, add 1 tbsp of lemon zest to create a nice and subtle zingy flavor.
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp of olive oil will be used to cook the meatballs.
- Butter: 1/2 stick of butter will be mixed with garlic to create the base of the sauce.
- Garlic: You’ll need another 3 cloves of minced garlic here.
- Flour: Next up, use 1 tbsp flour.
- Chicken broth: Thicken up the sauce with 1 cup of chicken broth. Low sodium chicken broth works here, too.
- Capers: Add 1/4 cup of capers and 2 tbsp of caper brine.
- Lemon juice: Last but not least, finish up the recipe with 1/4 cup of lemon juice.
Kitchen tools needed to make this recipe
To make chicken piccata meatballs, you will need a large mixing bowl, large saucepan, spatula, and whisk. You’ll also need a total of 5 measuring cup sizes: 1/2 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/4 cup, 2/3 cup, and 1 cup.
How to make chicken piccata meatballs
Grab the tools listed above, and let’s get started. You can expect this dish to be ready in about 30 minutes.
To begin, add the chicken, parmesan, breadcrumbs, salt, garlic, and lemon zest to a large bowl. Combine.
Then, use 2 tbsp of the mixture at a time and roll into balls.
Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat and add the oil.
Once hot, add the meatballs to the pan and turn them every few minutes to ensure even cooking. Cook for 6 minutes and then remove the meatballs from the pan.
Next, add the butter and garlic to the same pan. Once melted, whisk in the flour.
Then, slowly whisk in the chicken broth followed by the capers and lemon juice. Let the sauce simmer for 6-7 minutes. It will thicken as it cooks.
Add the meatballs back to the pan and cook for another 5-6 minutes. The sauce should have thickened by now. Mix it up and spoon the sauce over all of the meatballs.
Serve the meatballs over pasta or rice, or enjoy as-is!
Side dish ideas
Wondering what to serve alongside these meatballs? Here are some ideas!
If you’d like to enjoy a classic side dish, try serving these up with this healthy green bean casserole or thick and creamy mashed potatoes.
For a side salad, shaved brussels sprout salad, fall harvest salad, and cobb salad (with or without the chicken) all make great options!
Storing leftovers
Chicken piccata meatballs store quite well, which makes the recipe even better! Allow the meatballs to cool before placing them in an airtight container or freezer bag. The leftovers can be enjoyed within 2-3 days when refrigerated and within 3 months when frozen. For best results, reheat on the stove.
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
Meatballs are surprisingly versatile and can be made in a bunch of different ways! Try one of these ideas for your next meatball dinner. The Thai turkey variation is one of my favorites!
- Baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
- Healthier Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- Thai Turkey Meatballs with Peanut Sauce
- Healthy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
All recipes by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Sierra Inn
Chicken Piccata Meatballs
Mix up your regular chicken piccata with these Chicken Piccata Meatballs. Deliciously made with lemon zest, garlic, and a caper sauce!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2/3 cup panko breadcumbs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 stick butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup capers + 2 tbsp caper brine
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together chicken, parmesan, panko, salt, garlic, and lemon zest.
- Using 2 tbsp of meat, roll into balls.
- Heat a large sautepan over medium-high heat and add oil.
- Once hot, add meatballs, turning every few minutes to ensure even cooking. Cook for 6 minutes and then remove meatballs from pan.
- In the same pan, add butter and garlic. Once melted, whisk in flour.
- Slowly whisk in chicken broth, then capers, brine, and lemon juice. Simmer sauce for 6-7 minutes, it will thicken as it cooks.
- Add meatballs back to pan and cook for another 5-6 minutes. Sauce should have thickened by now. Mix up and spoon sauce all over meatballs.
- Serve meatballs over pasta, rice, or enjoy as is.
There may be affiliate links in this post!ย By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat ๐
TB says
Followed instructions, but sauce never thickened. Not sure if I did something wrong? I measured accurately and triple checked instructions. Any tips?
Licia McClary-Trifoglio says
Terrific recipe, ! was also surprised no egg but glad I had read reviews and did not add it. Tonight making a double batch of sauce as I have 1 lb of thin chick cutlets and plan to make both…The hubby adores chicken piccata so we’re having two ways because it’s fabulous left over the next day. Thank you
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Licia, so happy you both loved it!!
Swimmom153 says
Very much liked your recipe! My only thought of changing it would be to try it with less bread crumbs. I found the meatballs to be a bit dense for my taste. Maybe I handled them too much ? Loved the sauce and I would double it next time. I served this with a rice blend with spinach, chopped artichoke and the remaining lemon zest with a bit of broth. Can the meatballs be made in advance and frozen. Sorry if this was asked already.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi, so happy you liked it and great side dishes!! Yes, you can make and freeze them. Towards the bottom of the post and before the recipe card, I have instructions. You can store them in airtight container or freezer bag for 3 months!
Nicole says
Hi, this sounds delicious!
Quick questionโฆcould ai bake the meatballs as opposed to stovetop? If so, what temp/how long?
(would still make the sauce on stove and add baked meatballs in after)
Ellen G says
Easy and delicious!!!!!! Keeper recipe for sure!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Ellen, so happy you loved them! ๐
Jackie says
I make this recipe all the time. Itโs one of my favorite recipes ever. I love to serve it when I have guests!
Erin says
Hi Jackie, so happy you loved them so much and they’re a hit for entertaining too! ๐
Julie P. says
Wow, this was an absolute 10! I made with white wine in place of chicken broth and topped with fresh parsley. Very decadent.
Will definitely make again soon.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Julie, so happy you loved them so much and made them your own!!
Patty M. says
Have made this a few times and absolutely love it! This is a keeper and is a real treat; even the leftovers are enjoyable (which is why I double the recipe even though I am the only one eating it)
Erin says
Hi Patty, so glad you love it so much! ๐
Judy says
This recipe is absolutely delicious! I am 100% adding this to our rotation. The meatballs are super moist and flavorful. I made this with a side of Jasmine rice and fresh green beans. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Judy, so happy you love them and yum! Great side dishes! ๐
Nicole Schneider says
Now one of my favorite recipes! Easy but feels fancy. Served over egg noodles, delish!!
Erin says
Hi Nicole, so happy you loved them and great idea! ๐
Pam Armand says
This was excellent! I loved the ease of making the meatballs and cooking them while the pasta was cooking. I will definitely make them again.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Pam, so happy you loved them! ๐
Lynn says
These are delicious! I served them over rice with French green beans. Out of this world! The recipe is easy to follow. I served this in large, low white bowls. It’s as beautiful as it is delicious. I would serve this to guests too.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lynn, so happy you loved them and great idea!!
Pat L. says
I receive, and try, many recipes through my Pinterest feed, but don’t usually review. However, I felt that this recipe deserves a 5star review. We made the recipe exactly as presented and it was excellent. It will be among our most often made recipes. I would do it for company or just a weeknight dinner any time. It did not include egg, and we resisted adding one (thinking it may have been accidentally omitted). It was the first time I used ground chicken.. Chicken piccata is one of my favorite dishes and this is just an easier version…Loved it. Try it. You will be glad you did!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Pat, so happy you loved them so much!! ๐
Juenessa says
I followed the recipe except I added one T of dried parsley the meatballs and I doubled the sauce. Served over rice. My family love this recipe! Thank you!!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Juenessa, so happy everyone loved them and great side! ๐
Marilyn says
I absolutely loved this recipe. It was easy, tasty and can be served as is or over pasta or polenta. Just loved it. Only wish I have……would be nice if someone jarred only the caper juice! ๐
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Marilyn, so happy you love them so much!!
Jane Bentley Jarosinski says
I made your Chicken Piccatto Meatballs, but substituted the chicken for wild pheasant. I served the meatballs over rice. Very Delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jane, so happy you loved them and made them your own!! ๐
Anna says
We really enjoyed this recipe and will make it again soon! Thank you.
Erin says
Hi Anna, so glad you enjoyed them!! ๐
Erin says
Giving these 5 stars even though I didn’t make it quite as planned due to a comedy of errors… Went to use capers, they expired in 2021… went to use kalamata olives, they expired in 2022… finally found some sliced black olives which is what I ended up using. Depsite that, the dish over all turned out! I definitely think it would be even better with capers because the sauce itself was good and the meatballs were DELICIOUS. (Also subbed for turkey which worked equally as well). So all that being said, I didn’t want to leave one of those “I changed the entire recipe and it sucked!” reviews lol because even with a couple of substitutions it was still delicious ๐ which I think is a testament to how solid of a recipe it is!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erin, so happy you liked them and made them your own!! Hope you can try them again without the subs too! ๐
Lindsey M says
This meal is amazing. I made it a week ago and I canโt stop thinking about it. โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lindsey, so happy you loved them so much! ๐
Erin S. says
These were tremendous! Made a double batch we loved them so much. Thank you!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erin, so happy you loved them and great idea!! ๐