What are some quick appetizer ideas to serve before chicken meatballs?
Some quick and easy appetizers that pair well before chicken meatballs include:
- Bruschetta – Toast slices of bread, rub with garlic, and top with diced tomatoes, olive oil, basil, and balsamic vinegar.
- Stuffed mushrooms – Remove stems from mushrooms, mix breadcrumbs, garlic, cheese, and herbs, stuff into mushrooms caps and bake.
- Cheese and crackers – Set out an assortment of cubed cheeses with crackers and fruit.
- Veggie tray – Arrange raw vegetables like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, etc. with ranch or hummus dip.
- Charcuterie board – Cured meats, cheeses, olives, nuts, jams, pickles, and toast points.
- Shrimp cocktail – Chilled cooked shrimp with cocktail sauce and lemon wedges.
These easy appetizers require little prep but add nice flavor and variety before digging into the main chicken meatball meal.
What are good side dishes to serve with chicken meatballs?
Here are some delicious side dish ideas to complement chicken meatballs:
- Pasta – Chicken meatballs are fantastic served over spaghetti, linguine, penne, or your favorite pasta shape. Top with your preferred pasta sauce.
- Rice – White or brown rice, risotto, fried rice, rice pilaf all make excellent bases for chicken meatballs.
- Potatoes – Mashed, baked, roasted, or fried potatoes pair nicely with chicken meatballs.
- Vegetables – Roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, brussels sprouts, or asparagus. Or a fresh salad.
- Bread – Garlic bread, rolls, or biscuits for dipping into any sauces.
The sauce or seasonings used on the chicken can help determine the best side dishes. Aim for a mix of textures and flavors – soft pasta or rice, crunchy vegetables, and warm bread make a complete meal.
What kind of sauce goes well with chicken meatballs?
There are many tasty sauces that complement and enhance the flavor of chicken meatballs:
- Marinara – The classic Italian tomato sauce adds richness and bright acidity.
- Alfredo – A creamy white sauce with garlic, butter, and Parmesan cheese.
- Pesto – Herbaceous green sauce made with basil, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan.
- Yogurt sauce – Tangy plain yogurt mixed with lemon, garlic, herbs, and olive oil.
- Teriyaki – Sweet Japanese sauce using soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, and honey.
- Buffalo – For a kick of heat, hot pepper sauce mixed with butter.
- Barbecue – Sweet, tangy, and sometimes smoky barbecue sauce.
The sauce can be tossed with the cooked meatballs, served over the top, or offered on the side for dipping. Consider the other dish elements when selecting a sauce pairing.
What are good chicken meatball recipes for a weeknight dinner?
When time is short, these easy chicken meatball recipes come together quickly for a weeknight meal:
| Recipe | Prep Time | Total Time | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baked Italian Chicken Meatballs | 10 mins | 30 mins | Ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, Italian herbs |
| Chicken Meatballs in Coconut Curry Sauce | 15 mins | 30 mins | Ground chicken, curry powder, coconut milk, veggies |
| Sheet Pan Chicken Meatballs and Vegetables | 10 mins | 25 mins | Chicken meatballs, potatoes, green beans, olive oil, garlic |
| Skillet Chicken Meatballs in Marinara | 10 mins | 20 mins | Pre-made meatballs, jarred marinara sauce, pasta |
Choose a recipe based on your time constraints, ingredients on hand, and flavors you are craving. Serve over rice, pasta or roasted vegetables for easy, tasty weeknight dinners.
What ingredients can I add to chicken meatballs for more flavor?
There are many flavorful ingredients you can add to chicken meatballs:
- Fresh herbs – Basil, parsley, cilantro, mint, oregano, rosemary.
- Spices and seasonings – Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, chili powder.
- Cheese – Parmesan, mozzarella, feta, goat cheese.
- Veggies – Minced onions, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms.
- Citrus – Lemon/lime zest and juice.
- Sauces and condiments – Worcestershire, soy sauce, mustard, hot sauce, bbq sauce.
Mix and match your favorite flavors when making chicken meatballs from scratch. For store-bought, mix in additional ingredients before cooking. Brush with oil and spices or glaze with your favorite sauce during cooking for extra flavor.
What are good chicken meatball recipes for entertaining or a dinner party?
Impress your guests with these flavorful chicken meatball recipes perfect for entertaining:
| Recipe | Key Flavors |
|---|---|
| Chicken Meatballs in Creamy Tomato Sauce | Basil, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, white wine, cream |
| Chicken Meatballs with Coconut Peanut Sauce | Thai red curry paste, coconut milk, peanut butter, ginger, lime |
| Balsamic Chicken Meatballs with Caprese Salad | Balsamic vinegar, fresh mozzarella, basil, tomatoes |
| Chicken Meatballs with Mango Chutney | Indian spices, mango chutney, yogurt |
Serve these chicken meatballs on composed platters with sides like couscous, roasted vegetables or polenta cakes. The globally inspired flavors are sure to please a crowd.
Some tips when cooking chicken meatballs for entertaining:
- Make meatballs ahead of time and reheat gently before serving.
- Set up a topping bar with various sauces, garnishes and dips.
- Spear meatballs on skewers for easy finger food.
- Serve meatballs in small buns or slider rolls.
How can I make leftover chicken meatballs into new dishes?
Leftover cooked chicken meatballs are versatile and can be repurposed into many yummy dishes:
- Chicken meatball subs – Slice meatballs and layer on rolls with desired toppings and sauce.
- Meatball pizza – Top pizza dough with sauce, cheese and sliced meatballs before baking.
- Meatball omelet or breakfast hash – Dice meatballs and add to eggs or breakfast potatoes.
- Chicken meatball soup – Simmer diced meatballs in broth with veggies and pasta.
- Meatball casserole – Toss meatballs with rice or pasta, sauce, and cheese then bake.
- Chicken meatball skewers – Alternate meatballs and vegetables on skewers and grill or broil.
Get creative with seasonings, sauces, and global flavors to give leftover meatballs new life. Adding them to salads, wraps, flatbreads, or grain bowls also works well.
Conclusion
Chicken meatballs are extremely versatile and pair well with a variety of flavors. Quick appetizers, fresh sides, and delicious sauces complement them beautifully. Weeknight dinners can come together fast with simple ingredients while more elaborate recipes are perfect for entertaining. Leftovers can also be reinvented into all sorts of tasty dishes. With an array of serving possibilities, chicken meatballs are a protein to keep in regular rotation.