Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken meatballs simmered in a rich, garlicky Parmesan cream sauce served over perfectly cooked spaghetti. This recipe combines the savory taste of Italian seasoning with the richness of butter and cheese for a hearty meal ready in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Balls
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Cooking and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter (for cooking meatballs)
- 2 tablespoons butter (for sauce)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (for sauce)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for sauce)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti or linguine, cooked according to package instructions
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Balls: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined. Form the mixture into small meatballs about 1 inch in diameter.
- Cook the Chicken Balls: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chicken meatballs and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Creamy Parmesan Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the heavy cream and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy Parmesan sauce. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Serve: Transfer the creamy Parmesan pasta to serving plates. Top with the garlic butter chicken meatballs. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese or chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor in both the meatballs and the sauce.
- Ingredient substitutions: ground turkey can replace chicken, and gluten-free breadcrumbs can be used if needed.
- Cook the pasta just until al dente to prevent overcooking when tossed in the sauce.
- Leftover meatballs and sauce can be stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat to prevent the cream sauce from breaking.
- Adding fresh parsley or basil as garnish enhances both flavor and presentation.
