Description
These zesty Lemon Pepper Chicken Meatballs combine the bright flavor of lemon with savory ground chicken and a kick of black pepper. Furthermore, they’re versatile enough to serve as an appetizer, main dish, or even in sandwiches. Meanwhile, they cook quickly and can be prepared in advance for easy entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, lemon zest, black pepper, and salt.
- Mix everything together using clean hands until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Wet your hands slightly with cold water to prevent sticking.
- Scoop about 1-2 tablespoons of the mixture and roll between your palms to form a meatball.
- Continue forming meatballs of equal size until all the mixture is used.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Once hot, add the meatballs to the pan, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Cook the meatballs until browned on one side, about 3-4 minutes.
- Gently turn the meatballs and continue cooking and turning until browned on all sides.
- Ensure meatballs are cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F, about 10-12 minutes total.
- Remove from the pan and serve hot with your favorite sides.
Notes
- For extra lemon flavor, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the meatballs before serving.
- These meatballs can be baked at 400°F for 15-20 minutes instead of pan-frying.
- Freeze cooked meatballs for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
- Add fresh herbs like parsley or dill for additional flavor variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes