Creamy Mushroom Chicken Meatballs Recipe

Velvety Creamy Mushroom Chicken Meatballs Recipe: Comfort on a Plate

My latest culinary obsession involves creamy mushroom chicken meatballs that promise pure comfort on a plate.

Mushrooms add an earthy depth that transforms ordinary protein into something extraordinary.

Tender chicken blends seamlessly with aromatic herbs and rich seasonings.

Each bite delivers a velvety sauce that coats these delicate spheres of deliciousness.

Weeknight dinners just got seriously upgraded with this simple yet sophisticated approach.

Home cooks will adore how quickly these meatballs come together without complicated techniques.

Paired with pasta or crusty bread, you cannot go wrong with this hearty meal that feels like a warm culinary hug.

Prepare to fall in love with every savory, satisfying forkful.

Why Creamy Mushroom Chicken Meatballs Are So Good

  • Boost Nutritional Profile: Packed with lean ground chicken and nutrient-rich mushrooms, these meatballs offer a healthier protein alternative that doesn't compromise on flavor or satisfaction.
  • Master One-Pan Magic: Seamlessly transition from stovetop to oven, creating a delicious meal with minimal cleanup and maximum convenience for busy home cooks.
  • Create Gourmet Comfort Food: Transform simple ingredients into an elegant dish that feels restaurant-worthy yet remains approachable for home cooking enthusiasts, perfect for impressing family and friends.
  • Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows for simple ingredient swaps or additions, making it flexible for different dietary preferences and taste buds.

Essential Ingredients for Creamy Mushroom Chicken Meatballs

Protein Base:
  • Ground Chicken: A lean and versatile meat that provides the main structure for the meatballs.
  • Egg: Helps bind the meatball ingredients together and adds moisture.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Mushrooms, Finely Chopped: Adds earthy depth and moisture to the meatballs.
  • Garlic, Minced: Provides a robust and aromatic flavor to the chicken mixture.
  • Parmesan Cheese, Grated: Contributes a rich, salty taste and helps enhance the overall meatball texture.
Binding and Seasoning:
  • Breadcrumbs: Helps absorb moisture and create a tender meatball texture.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall flavor profile.
  • Olive Oil: Used for browning the meatballs and creating a golden exterior.
  • Dried Thyme: Adds a subtle herbal note to the creamy mushroom sauce.
  • Chicken Broth, Heavy Cream: Create a rich and velvety sauce that complements the meatballs.
Garnish:
  • Parsley, Fresh and Chopped: Provides a bright, fresh finish to the dish.

How to Make Creamy Mushroom Chicken Meatballs with Ease

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a cozy 375F (190C). This toasty temperature will help our meatballs cook evenly and develop a gorgeous golden exterior.

Step 2: Mix Meatball Magic

In a spacious mixing bowl, gather these delightful ingredients:
  • Ground chicken
  • Finely chopped mushrooms
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Egg
  • Minced garlic
  • Grated Parmesan
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Blend everything together until the mixture looks perfectly unified and smooth.

Step 3: Shape Delectable Spheres

Tenderly form the mixture into compact meatballs, aiming for a rounded shape about 1 to 1.5 inches wide. Keep them consistent for even cooking.

Step 4: Sear to Golden Perfection

Drizzle olive oil into a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Gently place meatballs and brown them on all sides, rotating every 2-3 minutes until they develop a rich, caramel-like crust.

Step 5: Bake Until Tender

Slide the skillet directly into the preheated oven. Let the meatballs bake for 15 minutes, allowing them to cook through completely.

Step 6: Whip Up Luxurious Sauce

While meatballs are baking, create a dreamy sauce by combining:
  • Heavy cream
  • Chicken broth
  • Dried thyme

Simmer the mixture in a skillet, stirring occasionally until it transforms into a luscious, thickened sauce.

Step 7: Unite Meatballs and Sauce

Pour the creamy mushroom sauce over the freshly baked meatballs, ensuring each morsel gets a generous coating.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately alongside your favorite accompaniment.

Tips to Perfect Creamy Mushroom Chicken Meatballs Every Time

  • Add grated zucchini to the chicken mixture for extra juiciness and hidden vegetables without changing the flavor profile.
  • Use parchment paper or lightly grease the skillet to ensure meatballs release easily and maintain their perfect shape during browning.
  • Toast breadcrumbs in butter before mixing to create a richer, nuttier undertone that elevates the entire dish's complexity.
  • Replace regular breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe celiac-friendly without sacrificing texture.
  • If sauce is too thin, whisk in a small amount of cornstarch or gradually add more Parmesan cheese to achieve desired thickness.

Unique Twists to Try on Creamy Mushroom Chicken Meatballs

  • Gluten-Free Meatball Magic: Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Mediterranean Turkey Transformation: Swap ground chicken for ground turkey, add oregano, and use feta cheese instead of Parmesan for a Greek-inspired variation.
  • Vegetarian Mushroom Spheres: Use plant-based ground meat substitute, mixed mushrooms, and add nutritional yeast for a protein-packed vegetarian alternative that maintains the creamy sauce's richness.
  • Low-Carb Keto Friendly Option: Skip breadcrumbs entirely, use extra grated Parmesan as a binder, and reduce sauce thickness by using half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lower-carbohydrate meal.

Great Pairings for Creamy Mushroom Chicken Meatballs

  • Light, zesty white wine cuts through the creamy sauce, balancing the rich chicken meatballs with its bright acidity and herbal undertones.
  • Crispy, golden potatoes complement the tender meatballs, absorbing the luxurious mushroom cream sauce while adding a delightful textural contrast.
  • Delicate, tender asparagus spears provide a fresh, green element that brightens the dish and adds a subtle earthy note that echoes the mushroom flavors.

How to Keep Creamy Mushroom Chicken Meatballs Fresh and Tender

  • Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss.
  • Pack cooled meatballs and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers. Meatballs will stay good for 2-3 months. Label containers with the date to track storage time.
  • Place meatballs and sauce in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.

FAQs

  • Are the mushrooms cooked before mixing into the meatballs?

No, the mushrooms are finely chopped and mixed raw, which helps keep the meatballs moist and adds natural flavor directly into the mixture.

  • Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?

Yes, ground turkey works perfectly as a substitute and will provide a similar texture and taste profile for the meatballs.

  • How do I know the meatballs are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), which ensures the chicken is safely cooked through.

  • Is it necessary to use an oven-safe skillet?

While an oven-safe skillet is convenient, you can brown the meatballs in a regular skillet and then transfer them to a baking dish for the oven portion of cooking.

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Creamy Mushroom Chicken Meatballs Recipe

Creamy Mushroom Chicken Meatballs Recipe


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4.6 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Savory and comforting Creamy Mushroom Chicken Meatballs invite culinary adventurers into a world of rich, velvety flavors. Tender chicken meatballs nestled in a luxurious mushroom sauce promise a delightful meal that will satisfy and warm your soul.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 pound (1 lb) ground chicken
  • 1 large egg

Aromatics and Binding Ingredients:

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup mushrooms, finely chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven to 375F (190C), ensuring a precise cooking environment for the meatballs.
  2. Create a flavor-packed mixture by combining ground chicken, finely chopped mushrooms, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, grated Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Blend thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed.
  3. Craft uniform meatballs by shaping the mixture into compact rounds, approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
  4. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat, carefully browning the meatballs on all surfaces for 2-3 minutes per side to develop a rich, golden exterior.
  5. Transfer the skillet directly into the preheated oven, allowing the meatballs to cook through for 15 minutes, ensuring complete internal doneness.
  6. Simultaneously prepare the creamy sauce by combining heavy cream, chicken broth, and dried thyme in a separate pan. Simmer the mixture over medium heat, stirring consistently until the sauce thickens and reduces, approximately 5-7 minutes.
  7. Remove the meatballs from the oven and generously coat them with the prepared mushroom cream sauce, ensuring each meatball is lavishly covered.
  8. Elevate the presentation by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley over the meatballs, then serve immediately alongside your preferred accompaniment.

Notes

  • Always use freshly chopped mushrooms for maximum flavor and moisture in the meatballs, avoiding pre-packaged or frozen varieties.
  • Gently mix meatball ingredients to prevent overworking the chicken, which can make the texture tough and dense.
  • Consider using a cookie scoop or wet hands when forming meatballs to ensure uniform size and prevent sticking.
  • For a gluten-free version, replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed pork rinds to maintain binding and texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 455 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 370 mg
  • Fat: 34 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 32 g
  • Cholesterol: 160 mg
Jess Martinez

Jess Martinez

Contributing Recipe Writer & Nutrition Consultant

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cooking, Nutritional analysis and healthy recipe planning, Cultural food traditions, Modifying traditional dishes for better health

Education

Santa Fe Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focused on mastering the flavors and cooking methods of traditional Southwestern cuisine.


Jess’s love for bold, homegrown flavors led her straight into the world of Southwestern cooking and cultural nutrition.
After completing her Certificate in Culinary Arts at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to show that good-for-you food can still taste incredible.
At saltytart.com, Jess shares vibrant, health-conscious recipes with roots in tradition but a fresh, modern twist. When she’s not testing new recipes, you’ll find her at local growers’ markets, tending her herb garden, or digging into food history books.

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