Description
Juicy chicken meatballs pan-seared to golden perfection and simmered in a lemony caper-butter sauce. Comforting yet bright, they’re perfect with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
1 1/4 pounds ground chicken thighs
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup finely minced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil (for searing)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small shallot, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup dry white wine
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons capers, rinsed
Extra lemon wedges and chopped parsley for serving
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with milk and let sit for 5 minutes until softened.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, soaked breadcrumbs, parmesan, onion, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix gently by hand until just combined.
3. Form mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and set aside on a tray.
4. Heat olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Sear meatballs in batches for 6–8 minutes, turning to brown all sides. Remove and set aside.
5. In the same skillet, add butter and sauté shallots and garlic until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
6. Deglaze the pan with white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
7. Add chicken broth, lemon juice, and capers. Stir to combine.
8. Return meatballs to the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes until fully cooked through.
9. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with lemon wedges and parsley before serving.
Notes
Don’t overcrowd the skillet when searing; cook in batches for best browning.
Use fresh lemon juice for the most vibrant flavor; bottled juice dulls the sauce.
To make ahead, prepare meatballs and sauce separately, then combine and reheat gently.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-seared
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: chicken meatballs, lemon caper sauce, weeknight dinner