With this recipe, we’re going to make juicy chicken meatballs. To do this, we’ll mix the minced chicken with bread soaked in milk, which helps make them very tender. You can buy pre-minced chicken or mince it at home using chicken breasts or thighs.
For the sauce, we’ve opted for onion and carrot, which gives a lovely sweet touch to the dish. Other variations include adding red bell pepper or using leek instead of onion.
Once the meatball mixture is prepared, we need to check if it’s properly seasoned:
- Take a small amount of the mixture
- Fry it in a pan or microwave it for about 10 seconds
- Taste and adjust the salt if needed
These meatballs are so delicious that we recommend making a larger batch and freezing them in individual portions. Another tip: instead of frying, you can bake them at 160°C for 15 minutes.
To serve as a main course, pair these meatballs with:
- Cooked pasta
- Boiled white rice
- Fried potatoes
Table of Contents
How to Make Chicken Meatballs with Tomato Sauce?
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Super chicken fillets | 400 g |
| Onion | 1 unit |
| Garlic | 1 clove |
| Breadcrumbs | 100 g |
| Flour | 0.5 cup |
| Parsley | 30 g |
| Eggs | 2 units |
| Tomato | 1 unit |
| Ketchup | 400 g |
| Salt | 0.5 tsp |
| Pepper | 0.25 tsp |
| Oil | 2 tbsp |
Instructions
- Start by boiling 1.5 liters of water in a medium pot. Add the chicken fillets and cook for 15 minutes. Remove and let them cool.
- In a food processor, blend the cooked chicken until a smooth paste forms.
- In a bowl, combine:
- Chicken paste
- Chopped onion and garlic
- Breadcrumbs and flour
- Chopped parsley
- Add beaten eggs and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Shape into small balls (about 4 cm diameter).
- Heat oil in a pan and brown the meatballs on all sides.
- Add chopped tomato and ketchup, cook for 8 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with mashed potatoes or rice and sprinkle with parsley.
Video Guide 📺
How to Make Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Sauce
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Chopped chicken breast | 300 g |
| Serrano ham | 50 g |
| Parmesan cheese | 50 g |
| Salt | To taste |
| Fresh thyme | 4–5 sprigs |
| Garlic clove | 1 |
| Breadcrumbs | 2 tbsp |
| Milk | 1 tbsp |
| Wheat flour | As needed |
| Olive oil | As needed |
| White wine | 50 ml |
| Chicken broth or water | 250 ml |
| Corn flour / wheat flour | 5 g |
| Lemon (juice & zest) | 0.5 |
Instructions
Difficulty: Easy
Total time: 35 minutes
- In a bowl, mix:
- Chopped chicken
- Serrano ham
- Parmesan cheese
- Garlic and parsley
- Breadcrumbs and milk
- Salt
- Shape into balls and coat with wheat flour.
- Fry lightly in olive oil until sealed on all sides (not fully cooked inside).
- Add white wine and let the alcohol evaporate.
- Add stock, lemon juice and zest, then bring to a boil.
- Simmer for about 10 minutes over medium heat.
- To thicken, sprinkle a little cornflour or flour and cook a few more minutes.
Video Guide 📺
Nutritional Facts (Approximate per serving)
Tomato Sauce Meatballs
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 320 kcal |
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 18 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
Lemon Sauce Meatballs
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 290 kcal |
| Protein | 26 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
FAQs
Can I freeze chicken meatballs?
Yes, you can freeze them in individual portions after cooking or even before cooking.
Can I bake instead of frying?
Yes, bake at 160°C for 15 minutes for a healthier option.
What can I use instead of breadcrumbs?
You can use crushed crackers, oats, or soaked bread.
Can I skip the wine in lemon sauce?
Yes, replace it with extra chicken broth or water.
How do I keep meatballs juicy?
Adding milk-soaked bread and not overcooking helps keep them tender.
Conclusion
These chicken meatballs are versatile, easy to prepare, and full of flavor. Whether you prefer the rich tomato sauce or the fresh lemon sauce, both versions deliver delicious results. With simple ingredients and flexible cooking methods, this recipe is perfect for everyday meals or batch cooking.
