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one pan chicken meatballs
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One-Pan Lemon Butter Chicken Meatballs

Juicy chicken meatballs simmered in a bright, buttery lemon sauce—all made in one pan. Cozy enough for a weeknight, fancy enough for guests, and perfect over rice, orzo, or mashed potatoes.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Mediterranean inspired
Keyword chicken meatballs, easy chicken recipe, lemon butter sauce, one pan dinner,, skillet meal,, weeknight dinner
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 249kcal

Equipment

  • Large skillet or sauté pan
  • mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Zester or microplane
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Ingredients

For the Chicken Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for the pan

For the Lemon Butter Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons butter or ghee
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon capers drained (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • A handful of baby spinach or chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

Make the meatballs.

  • In a mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix just until combined—don’t overwork. Roll into golf-ball-sized meatballs.

Brown the meatballs.

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and brown on all sides, about 6–8 minutes total. They do not need to be fully cooked. Transfer to a plate.

Build the sauce.

  • In the same pan, lower the heat and add butter. Once melted, stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, chicken broth, capers, and red pepper flakes. Scrape up any browned bits from the pan.

Finish together.

  • Return meatballs to the skillet and simmer gently for 8–10 minutes, spooning sauce over the top, until meatballs are cooked through and sauce slightly thickens.

Add the greens.

  • Stir in spinach just until wilted, or finish with fresh parsley. Taste and adjust salt or lemon as needed.

Notes

  • Don’t overmix the meatballs—this keeps them tender.
  • Ground turkey works well as a substitute for chicken.
  • For a creamier sauce, add a splash of heavy cream at the end.
  • Great served over rice, orzo, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread.

Nutrition

Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 140mg | Sodium: 616mg | Potassium: 661mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 244IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 2mg