These tender and flavorful lemon chicken ricotta meatballs are infused with fresh herbs and served with a bright and zesty sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion!
In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta cheese, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, chopped parsley, lemon zest, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
Roll the mixture into meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. You should get around 16-20 meatballs.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
Remove the meatballs from the skillet and set aside. Add minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring to a simmer.
Return the meatballs to the skillet. Stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes (if using).
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese just before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
Serve these lemon chicken ricotta meatballs over pasta, zucchini noodles, or with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.