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Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta: A Comforting and Flavorful Delight

Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
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Juicy garlic butter chicken balls served over creamy Parmesan pasta make for a rich, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish perfect for any occasion! This recipe is a crowd-pleaser, combining tender chicken balls with a luscious, cheesy pasta sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Garlic Butter Chicken Balls:

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)

For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:

  • 12 oz pasta (fettuccine, spaghetti, or penne work best)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • Chopped parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken Balls

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  2. Mix well until fully combined, then form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  4. Add the chicken balls and cook for 3–4 minutes per side, turning occasionally until golden brown and cooked through.
  5. Pour melted butter over the cooked chicken balls and toss to coat evenly. Remove from heat and set aside.

2. Cook the Pasta

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
  3. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

3. Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce

  1. In the same skillet used for the chicken balls, melt butter over medium heat.
  2. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine.
  4. Add Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  5. Gradually add the reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce.

4. Combine Everything

  1. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
  2. Place the garlic butter chicken balls on top of the pasta.
  3. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
  4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use fresh garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a more robust flavor than pre-minced garlic.
  • Don’t overmix the chicken: Overmixing will make the meatballs dense instead of juicy.
  • Brown the chicken balls properly: This enhances their flavor and gives them a nice texture.
  • Reserve pasta water: This is key to achieving the perfect creamy sauce consistency.
  • Adjust the spice level: If you prefer mild flavors, skip the red pepper flakes.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as well and may alter the sauce texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipes.gernarb.com/garlic-butter-chicken-balls-with-creamy-parmesan-pasta-a-comforting-and-flavorful-delight/