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Chicken Romano Meatballs with Lemony Garlic Sauce

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 (6 meatballs per serving)
Calories 294
Juicy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, these Chicken Romano Meatballs are everything you love about Italian comfort food—without the fuss!

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • ½ cup seasoned bread crumbs (or gluten-free alternative)
  • cup Romano cheese, grated
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • ½ tsp dried basil
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

For the Lemony Garlic Sauce:

  • 1 shallot, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 Pinch of salt
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced

Instructions 

Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, garlic, egg, bread crumbs, Romano cheese, parsley, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
  • Gently mix until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
  • Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs (about 24 meatballs).

Step 2: Brown the Meatballs

  • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the meatballs in a single layer (working in batches if necessary) and brown them on all sides, about 5-6 minutes total. They do not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
  • Transfer the browned meatballs to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

  • In the same skillet, add the shallots and garlic with a pinch of salt. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  • Pour in the chicken broth and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
  • Stir in the lemon juice and add the sliced lemons. Let the sauce simmer for 2 minutes.

Step 4: Bake the Meatballs

  • Return the meatballs to the pan, nestling them into the sauce.
  • Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!

  • Serve hot over pasta, rice, or with your favorite vegetables.
  • Enjoy these delicious meatballs as a main course or use them in sandwiches for a flavorful twist!
Calories: 294kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Chicken Romano Meatballs with Lemony Garlic Sauce