Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

Here’s a rich, comforting, and crowd-pleasing recipe for Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta. It’s a two-part dish: juicy, flavorful chicken meatballs and a velvety Parmesan pasta—perfect for a weeknight indulgence or weekend treat.

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🧄 Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta

🍽️ Serves: 4

⏰ Total Time: 40–45 minutes

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🌟 Part 1: Chicken Balls

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) ground chicken

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

• 1 egg

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley or 1 tsp dried

• 1/2 tsp onion powder

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• 1–2 tbsp olive oil or butter (for frying or baking)

Instructions

1. Mix Ingredients
   In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, egg, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined—don’t overwork it.

2. Form Balls
   Roll into small balls (about 1–1.5 inches wide). You should get ~16–18 balls.

3. Cook

   • Pan-Fry: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken balls on all sides until golden and cooked through (internal temp: 165°F / 74°C), about 8–10 min.

   • Air Fryer: 375°F (190°C) for 12–14 minutes, turning halfway.

   • Bake: 400°F (200°C) for 15–18 minutes on a lined tray.

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🌟 Part 2: Creamy Parmesan Pasta

Ingredients

• 8 oz (225g) fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti

• 2 tbsp butter

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup heavy cream (or half & half)

• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan (fresh is best)

• Salt & black pepper to taste

• Optional: pinch of nutmeg or crushed red pepper

• 1/2 cup pasta water (reserve before draining)

• Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish

Instructions

1. Boil Pasta
   Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.

2. Make Sauce
   In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant (30–60 seconds). Stir in cream and bring to a gentle simmer.

3. Add Cheese
   Whisk in Parmesan until smooth and melted. Season with salt, pepper, and optional nutmeg or chili flakes.

4. Combine Pasta
   Toss cooked pasta in the sauce, adding a bit of pasta water to loosen as needed for a silky texture.

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🍽️ Assemble the Dish

• Plate creamy Parmesan pasta.

• Top with warm garlic butter chicken balls.

• Garnish with extra Parmesan, parsley, and a drizzle of garlic butter (if you pan-fried the meatballs).

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💡 Pro Tips

• Add sautéed spinach or mushrooms to the pasta for a veggie boost.

• You can double the sauce if you like your pasta extra creamy.

• Add lemon zest to the meatball mix for brightness.