Description
Succulent chicken piccata meatballs dance with zesty lemon and briny capers in this Italian-inspired comfort dish. Creamy, tangy sauce envelops perfectly seasoned meatballs, delivering a delightful twist that will satisfy your craving for classic flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground chicken
- 1/2 stick butter
- 1 cup chicken broth
Binding and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Sauce and Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1/4 cup capers
- 2 tablespoons caper brine
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine ground chicken with grated parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, minced garlic, salt, and bright lemon zest in a spacious mixing bowl, blending ingredients thoroughly until well incorporated.
- Carefully form uniform meatballs using approximately two tablespoons of the meat mixture, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
- Warm a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, adding a thin layer of cooking oil to prevent sticking.
- Gently place meatballs into the heated pan, rotating every few minutes to achieve golden-brown exterior and consistent internal cooking, approximately 6 minutes total.
- Remove meatballs from pan, keeping them warm while preparing the signature piccata sauce.
- In the same pan, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, then sprinkle flour to create a smooth roux.
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth, introducing capers, their briny liquid, and fresh lemon juice, allowing the sauce to simmer and naturally thicken over 6-7 minutes.
- Return meatballs to the pan, nestling them into the bubbling sauce and cooking an additional 5-6 minutes to ensure complete heat penetration and flavor melding.
- Spoon the luxurious sauce generously over the meatballs, coating them completely for maximum flavor absorption.
- Serve immediately over your preferred base like pasta or rice, or enjoy these zesty meatballs as a standalone dish.
Notes
- Ensure meatballs are evenly sized for consistent cooking and professional presentation.
- Use fresh lemon zest for brighter, more vibrant citrus flavor that elevates the entire dish.
- Opt for low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and customize sauce intensity.
- Consider gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 630 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg