If you adore dinners that are both deeply comforting and crowd-pleasing, Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is about to become your new weeknight hero. Imagine tender chicken balls infused with herby garlic and Parmesan, golden from a buttery skillet, all nestled on a bed of rich, creamy pasta. The entire dish comes together in less than an hour, yet it tastes like it simmered for ages. Whether you’re feeding your family or treating yourself, Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta brings everyone to the table with a smile.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a starring role, whether it’s delivering rich, savory flavor, adding a hint of freshness, or perfectly binding the sauce and pasta together.
- Ground chicken: Lean and mild, this forms the base for the tender chicken balls, soaking up every bit of garlicky, buttery goodness.
- Breadcrumbs: These create a moist, delicate texture inside the chicken balls and help bind everything together.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds an unmistakable umami punch and enriches both the chicken balls and creamy pasta.
- Egg: Acts as the glue to keep your chicken balls perfectly intact.
- Fresh garlic (minced): Essential for a deeply aromatic and unmistakable flavor running throughout the dish.
- Chopped fresh parsley: Lively, green notes that brighten up every bite—it’s sprinkled inside and over the top.
- Salt and black pepper: Simple seasoning that wakes up all the other flavors.
- Unsalted butter: Used for both cooking and the star garlic butter sauce; it turns the dish irresistibly rich.
- Fettuccine or spaghetti: Classic choices to cradle all that creamy cheese sauce—choose your noodle mood.
- Olive oil: Helps sauté the garlic for the sauce and brings an extra hit of silkiness.
- Heavy cream: The base for your indulgent Parmesan sauce, making every bite velvety smooth.
- Chopped parsley for garnish: A must for a pop of color and a final hit of freshness on top.
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
Step 1: Mix and Shape the Chicken Balls
Start by grabbing your largest mixing bowl, and combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, half of the minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix everything until it just comes together—you don’t want to overwork it for the sake of tender, juicy chicken balls. Use damp hands to shape the mixture into small, even balls, about the size of a golf ball. Lining them up on a tray as you go makes the next step speedy!
Step 2: Sauté to Golden Perfection
In a large skillet set over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Once bubbling and fragrant, add the chicken balls in batches (don’t overcrowd the pan) and cook, turning occasionally, until they’re deeply golden and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes per batch. Set them aside on a plate once they’re done; they’ll finish off in sauce later, soaking up even more flavor.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
Don’t wipe out your skillet—you want all those tasty bits! Add the remaining butter and let it melt, then stir in the last of the minced garlic. Let it sizzle just until fragrant (about 1 minute), then toss in more parsley. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and gently return your chicken balls to the pan, turning them so they’re completely coated in that glistening, aromatic garlic butter sauce.
Step 4: Prepare the Creamy Parmesan Pasta
While the chicken balls soak up the sauce, bring a big pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your pasta according to the package instructions until perfectly al dente—don’t forget to reserve a splash of that starchy cooking water! Meanwhile, in a saucepan, warm the olive oil and sauté garlic until it’s just golden and super fragrant. Add the heavy cream and let it gently simmer. Whisk in grated Parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper, letting the sauce thicken into a dreamily creamy consistency.
Step 5: Toss and Serve
Drain your cooked pasta and toss it generously with the creamy Parmesan sauce—add a little reserved pasta water if you want it extra luscious. Plate the saucy pasta in shallow bowls or a big serving platter. Top with your buttery garlic chicken balls, spooning over any extra sauce from the pan. Finish with a shower of chopped fresh parsley and more grated Parmesan. Serve immediately for the most dazzling Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta experience.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta
Garnishes
To really make Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta sing, sprinkle a bit more fresh parsley and an extra handful of grated Parmesan over the top just before serving. Cracked black pepper is always a welcome finishing touch, and if you like it spicy, a few chili flakes scattered over the chicken balls will wake things up.
Side Dishes
This dish is pretty decadent, so it’s lovely with lighter sides. A crisp arugula or mixed green salad with lemony dressing provides perfect contrast, or you could serve simple roasted vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or green beans. And if you’re feeling classic, garlic bread never fails—ready to scoop up any leftover sauce!
Creative Ways to Present
Sometimes presentation takes a meal from everyday to unforgettable. For a casual gathering, pile Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta into a big family-style bowl for passing around the table. For a more elegant touch, consider twirling the pasta into individual nests on each plate, then nestle a few chicken balls on top with a little extra sauce drizzled over each one. Mini chicken balls skewered on toothpicks and perched atop small pasta portions make for a fantastic party appetizer, too!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors will meld beautifully overnight, and it makes for an irresistible next-day lunch.
Freezing
Chicken balls freeze remarkably well! Let them cool completely, then arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Transfer them to a zip-top bag or airtight container for up to two months. For best texture, freeze the pasta and sauce separately. Cream-based sauces can change consistency after freezing, but a gentle reheat with a splash of extra cream will bring it back to life.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the chicken balls and pasta together in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce if needed. Stir constantly until heated through, taking care not to overcook the chicken. The microwave works in a pinch, but stovetop is best for reviving that lush, creamy texture.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey is a great swap and works just as well in Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta. Choose turkey that’s not too lean so the balls stay juicy.
Is it possible to make this gluten-free?
Yes—simply use your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs in the chicken balls and swap traditional pasta for a gluten-free variety. The rest of the recipe remains unchanged.
How do I keep the chicken balls from falling apart?
Make sure to mix until just combined—overmixing can make them dense, while undermixing may keep them from staying together. The egg and breadcrumbs help bind everything, so measure carefully and let them rest a few minutes before cooking.
Can I add vegetables to the pasta?
Definitely! Sautéed spinach, wilted kale, or sweet peas can be folded into the pasta along with the creamy sauce for extra color and nutrition. Roasted cherry tomatoes add a juicy, tangy twist.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
For best results, gently reheat Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of extra cream or milk. This keeps the sauce creamy and prevents the chicken balls from drying out.
Final Thoughts
Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta promises savory comfort in every forkful—rich, velvety, and impossible to resist. Make it once and it’ll become a permanent fixture in your meal rotation. Give it a try this week; I can’t wait to hear how much you love it!
