Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta 🍝🧄🧈

These Garlic Butter Chicken Balls paired with a creamy Parmesan pasta make for a rich, flavorful, and satisfying meal. The savory chicken balls are packed with flavor and complement the creamy, cheesy pasta perfectly!

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Balls:

• 1 lb ground chicken
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 egg
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons butter (for cooking)

For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:

• 12 oz pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Make the Chicken Balls:

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together until fully combined.
   • Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.

2. Cook the Chicken Balls:

   • Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
   • Add the chicken balls to the skillet in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook the meatballs, turning occasionally, for about 7-8 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Once done, remove them from the skillet and set aside.

3. Prepare the Creamy Parmesan Pasta:

   • Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a bit of pasta water for later.

4. Make the Cream Sauce:

   • In the same skillet used for the chicken balls, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
   • Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
   • Pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly. Let it simmer for about 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
   • Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce gets too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.

5. Combine:

   • Add the drained pasta into the skillet with the creamy sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce.
   • Add the cooked chicken balls into the skillet and gently toss everything together.

6. Serve:

   • Serve the Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.

Tips:

• Chicken Balls Variation: You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or beef if you prefer.
• Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for some heat.
• Extra Cheese: Top with extra Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper for an even cheesier experience!

This Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta recipe is a hearty and flavorful meal that’s sure to impress. Enjoy! 😋🍽