Description
Comfort meets elegance in Crockpot Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs, a soul-warming dish that marries tender meat with rich, aromatic flavors. Slow-cooked to perfection, these meatballs promise a delightful meal that brings warmth and satisfaction to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 egg
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Liquid and Garnish:
- 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) butter
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Craft a harmonious blend of ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, half the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl. Gently knead the mixture until ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
- Shape the meat mixture into petite, uniform spheres, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
- Optional: Create a golden exterior by sizzling meatballs in melted butter over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. This step enhances flavor complexity but can be omitted if time is limited.
- Transfer remaining butter, chicken broth, and residual garlic into the crockpot, creating a luxurious aromatic base.
- Nestle meatballs into the liquid, ensuring each morsel is lavishly coated with the garlic butter essence.
- Secure the crockpot lid and slow-cook at low temperature (195°F) for 4-5 hours or high temperature (215°F) for 2-3 hours until chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender.
- Conclude by adorning with freshly chopped parsley and presenting alongside pasta, steamed rice, or crusty artisan bread to absorb the rich, velvety sauce.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by browning meatballs before slow cooking, creating a deeper caramelized exterior that locks in rich taste and texture.
- Ensure moisture by avoiding overmixing meat, which can lead to dense, tough meatballs; gently combine ingredients until just incorporated.
- Customize protein easily by substituting ground chicken with turkey, beef, or plant-based alternatives for dietary preferences or ingredient availability.
- Prevent dryness by checking internal temperature with a meat thermometer, aiming for 165°F to guarantee perfectly cooked, juicy meatballs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours (on high) or 5 hours (on low)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg