Hearty Mushroom Chicken Meatballs Recipe

Cozy Hearty Mushroom Chicken Meatballs Recipe for Soul-Warming Meals

Weeknight dinners demand a special touch of homemade magic, and these savory mushroom chicken meatballs deliver pure comfort on your plate.

Packed with earthy flavors and tender textures, this recipe blends ground chicken with umami-rich mushrooms for an irresistible meal.

Every bite promises a delightful balance of herbs and protein that keeps you coming back for more.

The mushrooms infuse depth and moisture into each perfectly seasoned meatball, creating a dish that’s both nutritious and satisfying.

Lean protein meets robust woodland notes in this simple yet elegant recipe that transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Quick to prepare and guaranteed to impress, these meatballs will become a staple in your home cooking repertoire.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and create a meal that celebrates wholesome, delicious ingredients.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 5

Creamy Mushroom Chicken Meatballs: Ingredient Rundown

For Meatball Base:
  • Ground Chicken: Lean protein that provides a light, tender texture to the meatballs, choose fresh and well-trimmed for best results.
  • Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the meatballs and create a perfect tender consistency, use plain or Italian-style for added flavor.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich, salty depth and helps keep meatballs moist, opt for freshly grated for maximum flavor.
  • Egg: Acts as a crucial binding agent to hold the meatballs together, select large, fresh eggs.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Garlic: Provides robust, aromatic flavor foundation, choose fresh cloves for most intense taste.
  • Parsley: Brings fresh, bright herb notes, select vibrant green leaves without wilting.
  • Onion Powder: Delivers subtle sweet onion undertone without chunky texture, ensure it's fresh and fragrant.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that elevate and balance overall dish flavor, use freshly ground black pepper.
For Sauce Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Creates perfect browning base for meatballs, select extra virgin for best quality.
  • Butter: Adds rich, creamy texture to sauce, use unsalted for better flavor control.
  • Mushrooms: Provides earthy, meaty undertones, choose fresh cremini or button mushrooms for classic flavor.
  • Thyme: Introduces subtle herbal complexity, fresh sprigs offer most intense flavor.
  • Chicken Broth: Forms liquid base for sauce, low-sodium versions allow better seasoning control.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, silky sauce texture, select high-fat content cream.

Tools That Help You Cook Chicken Meatballs with Sauce

  • Large bowl: Essential for mixing meatball ingredients thoroughly.
  • Skillet: Large, heavy-bottomed pan for browning meatballs and creating creamy sauce.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for ingredients.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients.
  • Cutting board: Clean surface for preparing garlic and parsley.
  • Sharp knife: For chopping herbs and mincing garlic.
  • Meat thermometer: Ensures meatballs reach safe internal temperature.

How to Make Creamy Mushroom Chicken Meatballs Step-by-Step

  • Blend Meatball Magic

Combine ground chicken with delicious mix-ins like breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, and herbs. Gently mix ingredients until just blended. Roll mixture into bite-sized spheres ready for cooking.

  • Sizzle and Brown

Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet. Carefully place meatballs to develop golden exteriors. Rotate occasionally to ensure even browning. Remove and set aside while preparing sauce.

  • Mushroom Sauce Creation

Melt butter in same skillet. Add mushrooms and cook until they transform into rich, caramelized treasures. Introduce garlic and thyme for extra flavor complexity. Pour chicken broth and let simmer. Swirl in heavy cream and Parmesan to create a luxurious, velvety sauce.

  • Marry Meatballs with Sauce

Return meatballs to skillet. Allow them to swim in creamy sauce, absorbing flavors and finishing cooking. Gently simmer until chicken is perfectly done and sauce thickens.

  • Gorgeous Serving

Sprinkle fresh parsley over top. Nestle meatballs and sauce atop mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or fluffy rice. Enjoy your culinary masterpiece!

Sauce and Seasoning Tweaks You Might Try

  • Mix ground chicken gently to prevent dense, tough meatballs – light mixing keeps them tender and juicy.
  • Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe celiac-friendly without compromising texture.
  • Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt for a lower-calorie version that still maintains rich, creamy consistency.
  • Prepare meatballs and sauce separately, then refrigerate up to 2 days – the flavors will deepen and develop more complexity when reheated gently before serving.

Ways to Serve Chicken Meatballs with Grains or Pasta

  • Comfort Bowl Delight: Serve the creamy mushroom chicken meatballs over soft, buttery mashed potatoes for a classic comfort food experience that hugs your taste buds.
  • Family-Style Feast: Spread the meatballs and sauce over wide egg noodles, creating a hearty family dinner that everyone can enjoy together with minimal preparation.
  • Rustic Rice Pairing: Plate the meatballs atop fluffy white or brown rice, allowing the rich mushroom sauce to seep into the grains and create a luxurious, satisfying meal.
  • Herb Garden Finish: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives on top for a burst of color and a light, fresh flavor that cuts through the creamy sauce and adds a gourmet touch.

Save and Reheat Chicken Meatballs Without Drying Out

  • Store leftover meatballs and creamy sauce in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring optimal flavor and food safety.
  • Carefully transfer cooled meatballs and sauce to freezer-safe containers. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating gently to maintain sauce consistency.
  • Warm meatballs slowly in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and maintain sauce's creamy texture.
  • Prepare meatballs and sauce in advance. Separate components until ready to serve, which helps prevent soggy meatballs and keeps ingredients fresh. Combine just before serving for best taste and texture.
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Hearty Mushroom Chicken Meatballs Recipe

Hearty Mushroom Chicken Meatballs Recipe


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4.5 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Savory Creamy Mushroom Chicken Meatballs combine comfort and elegance in one delightful dish. Hearty proteins nestled in silky sauce promise a memorable meal that satisfies serious home cooks and casual dinner enthusiasts alike.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (454 g) ground chicken
  • ¼ cup breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for browning)
  • 2 tbsps butter
  • 8 oz (226 g) mushrooms, sliced (button or cremini)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp thyme (dried or fresh)
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Meatball Preparation: Thoroughly blend ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Gently form uniform spherical morsels approximately 1-inch in diameter.
  2. Initial Meatball Searing: Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Carefully brown meatballs, rotating periodically to ensure even caramelization, approximately 5-6 minutes. Transfer partially cooked meatballs to a separate plate.
  3. Mushroom Sauce Creation: Using the identical skillet, melt butter and introduce mushrooms. Sauté until golden and tender, then incorporate garlic and thyme. Deglaze with chicken broth, allowing liquid to simmer. Reduce heat and whisk in heavy cream and Parmesan, creating a luxurious, velvety sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  4. Final Cooking Stage: Reintroduce meatballs into the simmering sauce, allowing them to finish cooking and absorb flavor nuances, approximately 10-12 minutes, ensuring complete internal doneness.
  5. Presentation: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve atop creamy mashed potatoes, delicate egg noodles, or fluffy rice.

Notes

  • Mix meatball ingredients gently to prevent dense, tough chicken meatballs. Overmixing can make them tough and dry.
  • Use a large, heavy-bottomed skillet for even heat distribution and proper browning of meatballs and mushrooms.
  • Ensure chicken meatballs reach 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption, using a meat thermometer to avoid undercooking.
  • Swap breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed pork rinds for low-carb or gluten-sensitive diets.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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