Juicy Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs & Cauliflower Rice Recipe

In the world of comfort cooking, these garlic butter chicken meatballs dance with irresistible flavor, promising a meal that melts in your mouth.

Tender and packed with savory goodness, the recipe brings a delightful twist to classic meatball preparations.

Aromatic herbs and rich butter create a luxurious coating that elevates each bite of these juicy chicken meatballs.

The accompanying cauliflower rice adds a light, nutritious base that perfectly complements the main attraction.

Lean protein meets creamy indulgence in this easy-to-prepare dish that suits both weeknight dinners and special occasions.

Every forkful promises a burst of garlic-infused deliciousness that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that satisfies your deepest comfort food cravings.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 4

Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs with Cauliflower Rice Ingredients

• Ground Chicken: Lean protein that creates a tender, juicy meatball with lighter flavor profile.
• Almond Flour: Gluten-free binder that adds nutty richness and helps hold meatballs together.
• Egg: Acts as natural binding agent to keep meatballs compact and moist.

• Garlic: Adds robust, pungent flavor that enhances overall taste profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that balance and elevate meatball taste.
• Onion Powder: Provides depth of savory background notes without chunky texture.
• Paprika: Introduces subtle warmth and beautiful reddish undertone.
• Oregano: Brings Mediterranean herbaceous character to the dish.

• Parmesan: Delivers umami richness and slight salty complexity.
• Parsley: Introduces fresh, bright green color and clean herbaceous finish.

Tools to Cook Tender Chicken Meatballs and Fluffy Cauli Rice

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining all meatball ingredients smoothly.
• Baking sheet: Perfect for roasting meatballs evenly in the oven.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
• Sharp knife: Helps mince garlic and chop fresh parsley.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for chopping herbs.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for mixing meatball ingredients thoroughly.

How to Make Chicken Meatballs With That Buttery Garlic Finish

• Prepare Meatball Mixture

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and toss in ground chicken with a medley of seasonings. Use your hands to blend everything smoothly, ensuring each ingredient plays nicely together. The mixture should feel cohesive and slightly sticky.

• Form Tasty Morsels

Roll the chicken mixture into delightful bite-sized spheres, roughly the size of a golf ball. Aim for uniform shapes so they cook evenly and look Instagram-worthy. Expect to create around 16-18 charming little meatballs.

• Sizzle and Brown

Heat a skillet with a splash of olive oil over medium-high heat. Gently place your meatballs into the pan, allowing each one to develop a gorgeous golden-brown exterior. Rotate them carefully to ensure all sides get that perfect crispy finish.

• Create Flavor Sauce

While meatballs are cooking, melt butter in a separate pan. Add minced garlic and let it dance around until fragrant and slightly golden. This creates a mouthwatering base for your sauce.

• Complete Cooking

Pour the garlic butter over the meatballs and let them simmer until completely cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F to ensure safe consumption.

• Serve with Cauliflower Rice

Plate your golden meatballs atop a bed of fluffy cauliflower rice. Sprinkle with fresh parsley for a pop of color and extra flavor.

Add Veggies or Herbs to Suit Your Taste

• Moisture Magic: Add a splash of milk or chicken broth to the ground chicken mixture to keep meatballs extra juicy and tender.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace almond flour with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds for those avoiding gluten.
• Low-Carb Love: Serve meatballs over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of cauliflower rice for a different low-carb option.
• Herb Heaven: Experiment with fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or chives to add unexpected flavor complexity to the meatball mixture.
• Spice It Up: For a bolder taste, add red pepper flakes or a dash of smoked paprika to the chicken mixture for a subtle kick.

Serve With a Lemon Wedge or Sautéed Greens

• Cozy Dinner Plate Magic: Nestle these golden meatballs over the fluffy cauliflower rice, creating a gorgeous protein-packed base that looks restaurant-worthy.
• Mediterranean Mezze Twist: Serve alongside tzatziki sauce, cucumber slices, and warm pita bread for a Mediterranean-inspired meal that brings exciting flavor combinations to your table.
• Low-Carb Comfort Bowl: Create a balanced one-bowl meal by topping the chicken meatballs and cauliflower rice with fresh chopped herbs, a sprinkle of extra Parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil for added richness and texture.
• Meal Prep Champion: Portion these meatballs and cauliflower rice into meal prep containers for easy lunch options throughout the week, keeping each component separate to maintain optimal texture and freshness.

Store in Meal Prep Containers for Quick Reheats

• Fresh Batch Preparation: Cook meatballs within 2-3 days of initial preparation for optimal taste and texture, storing them sealed in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Carefully place uncooked meatballs on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bags for storage up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before cooking.
• Reheating Strategy: Warm refrigerated meatballs gently in microwave or skillet with a splash of broth to maintain moisture and prevent drying out. Aim for internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
• Smart Portion Control: Divide cooked meatballs into individual serving containers for quick grab-and-go lunches or convenient meal prep. Label containers with date and contents to track freshness effectively.

Succulent Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs With Cauliflower Rice Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Succulent garlic butter chicken meatballs nestle atop cauliflower rice, creating a keto-friendly dinner sensation. Mediterranean flavors and creamy textures combine for a low-carb meal that satisfies without compromise.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450g) ground chicken
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 3 tbsps unsalted butter
• 4 cups cauliflower rice (fresh or frozen)
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 egg
• ½ cup almond flour (or breadcrumbs)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Meatball Preparation: Thoroughly blend ground chicken with almond flour, egg, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, onion powder, paprika, oregano, Parmesan, and parsley in a large mixing bowl until ingredients are evenly distributed.
2. Shaping and Initial Cooking: Form uniform 1-inch meatballs and brown them in a medium-heated skillet, rotating to achieve a golden exterior and ensuring complete internal cooking.
3. Garlic Butter Enhancement: After cooking meatballs, melt butter in the same skillet, add crushed garlic, and return meatballs to coat them luxuriously in the aromatic sauce.
4. Cauliflower Rice Creation: Process cauliflower florets into rice-like granules, then sauté in a separate pan with olive oil, seasoning with salt and pepper until tender and slightly crisp.
5. Plating and Garnishing: Arrange garlic butter chicken meatballs over the cauliflower rice, finishing with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for added vibrancy and flavor.

Notes

• Manage Meat Moisture: Add a splash of chicken broth or olive oil to prevent dryness, ensuring meatballs remain juicy and tender during cooking.
• Bind Ingredients Effectively: Use almond flour and egg as binding agents to help meatballs maintain structural integrity and prevent crumbling during preparation.
• Optimize Cooking Temperature: Maintain medium heat to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning, allowing even cooking and caramelization of meatball surfaces.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast for dairy-free version or use ground turkey as alternative protein source for varied dietary preferences.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 100mg