I have never been a real fan of beef meatballs, I like them....I just don't like making them. I really wanted to do something different with some chicken breasts, so I decided to try some meatballls. I have to tell ya.....I may never make another beef meatball again. These Parmesan chicken meatballs are so delicious! I made them up to top off some Linguini with Zucchini Lemon sauce. It worked out perfectly. Of course, I had to munch a few for a taste test before I cooked the linguini and sauce. ;-)
The Players are:
1 lb. ground chicken breast
1/2 C. bread crumbs
1 large egg
1/2 C. grated parmesan cheese
2 tsp. fresh or dried basil (chopped if fresh)
1 small medium onion minced
3 cloves garlic minced
2-3 Tbs. olive oil
2 Tbs. butter
1/4 tsp. salt
ground black pepper to taste
I grind my own meat with this handy dandy meat grinder attachment for my Kitchenaid mixer. It works great!
Mix everything except the olive oil and butter in a medium size bowl. Make sure it is well combined.
Heat 2 Tbs. olive oil and 1 Tbs. butter on medium/high heat. Then drop the chicken mixture by rounded spoonfuls into the pan. You can try to roll them in your hand if you like, but I find it easier with the spoon and I don't feel they need to be perfectly round.
Cook them until browned on one side and then flip them over to brown the other side. Don't overcrowd the pan. Do it in batches so there is plenty of room. Add more oil/butter for the next batch if you need to.
I take a pair of tongs and set each meatball on it's side to brown the sides too. Sometimes you have to lean them against each other to keep them standing.
When completely browned transfer to a paper towel to drain for a few seconds, then serve hot.
Grate a little fresh parmesan on top, sprinkle a little fresh chopped basil, and maybe a squirt of lemon juice if you like
Sooooo yummy!
Now what's a girl to do with these delicious morsels besides snacking on them during a ballgame?.......
