Description
These juicy, flavorful chicken meatballs are perfectly paired with a smooth and creamy ranch sauce. They’re a great option for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or as an appetizer, offering a lighter alternative to classic meatballs without sacrificing flavor.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Meatballs:
-
Ground Chicken:
- 1 pound (16 oz)
-
Garlic:
- 2-3 cloves, minced
-
Fresh Parsley:
- 2 tablespoons, finely chopped
-
Onion Powder:
- 1 teaspoon
-
Italian Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon
-
Egg:
- 1 large egg
-
Breadcrumbs:
- 1/4 cup
-
Parmesan Cheese:
- 2 tablespoons, grated
-
Salt and Pepper:
- To taste (about 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, or adjust based on preference)
- For the Ranch Sauce:
-
Greek Yogurt:
- 1/2 cup
-
Mayonnaise:
- 1/4 cup
-
Garlic Powder:
- 1/2 teaspoon
-
Onion Powder:
- 1/2 teaspoon
-
Fresh Dill (or dried):
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill (or 1/2 teaspoon dried dill)
-
Lemon Juice:
- 1 teaspoon
-
Salt and Pepper:
- To taste (about 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, or adjust based on preference)
Instructions
- Make the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, garlic, parsley, onion powder, Italian seasoning, egg, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper and mix gently.
- Shape the Meatballs: Form mixture into 12-15 small meatballs (1–1.5 inches in diameter).
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook meatballs, turning occasionally, until browned (6-8 minutes). Reduce heat and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Make the Creamy Ranch Sauce: In a bowl, mix Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
- Serve: Serve meatballs with ranch sauce drizzled on top or as a dipping sauce on the side. Garnish with extra parsley.
Notes
- Add hot sauce or red pepper flakes to the ranch sauce for a spicy kick.
- Avoid overcooking meatballs to keep them juicy—use a meat thermometer if unsure.
- Ground turkey can be substituted for chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball with ranch sauce
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 80mg