Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is a comforting and elegant meal featuring tender ground chicken balls glazed in rich garlic butter, paired with silky, cheesy Parmesan pasta. This easy-to-make recipe combines bold flavors and satisfying textures, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
- Author: Sarah
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying and Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free pasta)
For the Chicken Balls
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian herbs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp butter, for cooking
For the Creamy Parmesan Pasta
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine or linguine)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Reserved pasta water (about 1 cup)
Garnish
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Italian herbs
- Make the Chicken Balls: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken with salt, pepper, finely minced garlic, Italian herbs, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well and shape into bite-sized balls. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken balls until golden brown and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Prepare the Creamy Parmesan Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Pour in heavy cream and simmer gently for 3-4 minutes. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Adjust the sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water as needed.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken balls to the skillet with the creamy Parmesan sauce. Add the drained pasta and gently toss everything together to coat evenly. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the dish to warm through.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish for color and freshness. Serve immediately while warm, enjoying the tender chicken balls alongside the luscious Parmesan pasta.
Notes
- Use fresh minced garlic for the best flavor.
- Cook chicken balls just until golden and cooked through to keep them juicy.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency and help it cling to the pasta.
- Always grate Parmesan fresh for richer flavor and smoother melting.
- Taste the sauce before adding extra salt as Parmesan adds saltiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: garlic butter chicken balls, creamy Parmesan pasta, garlic butter chicken, Parmesan chicken meatballs, creamy pasta recipe, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food