Creamy Mushroom Chicken Meatballs Recipe
Introduction
Creamy Mushroom Chicken Meatballs are a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Tender chicken meatballs simmered in a rich, creamy mushroom sauce make a deliciously satisfying dish that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme. Mix gently with your hands until just combined to avoid tough meatballs.
- Step 2: Form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter, using your hands or a cookie scoop.
- Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and sear until golden brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté until golden and tender, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Step 5: Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 6: Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 7: Return the meatballs to the skillet. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing them to cook through and absorb the sauce flavors.
- Step 8: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy with your favorite side dish.
Tips & Variations
- For extra moisture, soak the breadcrumbs in a little milk before mixing into the meatball mixture.
- Swap ground chicken for turkey or a mix of pork and chicken for different flavor profiles.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a mild kick.
- Serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice for a complete meal.
Storage
Store leftover meatballs and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through, stirring occasionally to prevent the sauce from separating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I freeze the meatballs?
Yes, you can freeze the cooked meatballs either with or without the sauce. Place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
What can I use instead of heavy cream?
You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter sauce, though it will be less rich and creamy. Adding a small amount of flour or cornstarch can help thicken the sauce if needed.
PrintCreamy Mushroom Chicken Meatballs Recipe
These Creamy Mushroom Chicken Meatballs feature tender chicken meatballs seared to perfection and simmered in a rich, velvety mushroom cream sauce. The combination of Parmesan cheese, garlic, and thyme adds depth to the meatballs, while the creamy mushroom sauce makes this dish comforting and flavorful, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a special family meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
For the Creamy Mushroom Sauce:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overmix to keep the meatballs tender.
- Shape the Meatballs: Using your hands or a cookie scoop, form the mixture into evenly sized meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Sear the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. The meatballs don’t need to be fully cooked at this stage as they will finish cooking in the sauce. Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Mushrooms: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté until golden and tender, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Prepare the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet to enhance the flavor. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, then season with salt and black pepper.
- Simmer the Meatballs: Return the seared meatballs to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low and let everything simmer together for 10 minutes, allowing the meatballs to cook through fully and absorb the creamy mushroom flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish before serving. Serve the creamy mushroom chicken meatballs with your favorite side dish and enjoy!
Notes
- Use panko breadcrumbs for a lighter texture or regular breadcrumbs for a denser meatball.
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture to avoid tough meatballs.
- The meatballs are only partially cooked during searing; they finish cooking during simmering in the sauce.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta to soak up the creamy mushroom sauce.
- If you prefer, fresh thyme can be used instead of dried thyme for a more aromatic flavor.
Keywords: chicken meatballs, creamy mushroom sauce, ground chicken recipe, comfort food, easy weeknight dinner, skillet meatballs, mushroom cream sauce
