Description
Culinary magic unfolds with these creamy mushroom chicken meatballs, blending rich European flavors into a comforting dish. Hearty and sophisticated, this recipe promises a delightful journey through savory textures that will satisfy and impress you.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground chicken
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
Seasoning and Aromatic Ingredients:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cooking and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for browning)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 8 ounces (8 oz) mushrooms, sliced (button or cremini)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon thyme (dried or fresh)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Craft meatballs by gently combining ground chicken with breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, whisked egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl. Ensure ingredients are evenly distributed without overmixing.
- Shape the mixture into uniform, approximately 1-inch spherical meatballs using gentle rolling motions between palms.
- Warm olive oil in a generously sized skillet over medium temperature, creating an even heat distribution.
- Carefully place meatballs into the heated skillet, rotating periodically to achieve a golden-brown exterior on all surfaces. This process typically requires 5-6 minutes of careful attention.
- Transfer partially cooked meatballs to a separate plate, maintaining their preliminary cooking state.
- Within the same skillet, introduce butter and sliced mushrooms, allowing them to caramelize and develop rich, deep flavors for 5-7 minutes.
- Incorporate minced garlic and fresh thyme, stirring briefly to release aromatic compounds and enhance overall taste profile.
- Pour chicken broth into the skillet, creating a simmering liquid base and gently scraping any flavorful browned bits from the pan’s surface.
- Reduce heat and whisk in heavy cream and additional Parmesan, allowing the sauce to thicken and develop a luxurious consistency over 3-4 minutes.
- Carefully reintroduce meatballs into the creamy mushroom sauce, allowing them to finish cooking and absorb surrounding flavors for 10-12 minutes.
- Verify meatballs have reached proper internal temperature and exhibit tender texture.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve atop creamy mashed potatoes, delicate egg noodles, or fluffy rice.
Notes
- Ensure meat mixture isn’t overmixed to keep meatballs tender and light, gently combining ingredients just until incorporated.
- Test meatball doneness by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer for food safety.
- Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for lighter, dairy-free alternatives that maintain creamy texture.
- Substitute ground chicken with turkey or plant-based ground meat for dietary variations while keeping similar cooking techniques.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg