Thereโs something about juicy, tender meatballs coated in a rich, creamy sauce that just hits the spot. These Ground Chicken Meatballs are super easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner. Bonus? Theyโre made in one pan, so cleanup is a breeze!
Love meatballs? Try our Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo or Baked French Onion Meatballs for more rich, comforting flavors!

๐Why Youโll Love This Recipe
We love good meatballs, but they have to be soft, juicy, and packed with flavorโnever dry or bland. This recipe is a game-changer! Adding cooked rice keeps the meatballs extra tender, while the smoky, creamy Dijon sauce takes them to the next level. Serve them over mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or jasmine rice, and youโve got a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort.
โ What Youโll Need
- Ground Chicken โ Using ground chicken thighs ensures juicier meatballs, but ground turkey works as a leaner alternative.
- Cooked White Rice โ Cooled rice helps bind the meatballs and keeps them soft. Leftover rice works perfectly, or swap for cooked quinoa for extra protein.
- Egg โ Helps the mixture hold together. If needed, replace with a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water) for a dairy-free option.
- Onion & Garlic โ Grating them ensures a smooth texture and deep flavor without big chunks. If in a rush, use onion powder (1 teaspoon) and garlic powder (ยฝ teaspoon), but fresh is always best.
- Flour โ Helps achieve a light crust when pan-frying.
- Butter & Flour โ This forms the base for a rich, creamy texture. For a dairy-free version, swap butter for ghee or plant-based butter and use cornstarch instead of flour.
- Chicken Broth โ Low-sodium broth is best to control salt levels. Vegetable broth works if making a meatless version.
- Sour Cream or Crรจme Fraรฎche โ Adds tangy creaminess. You can also use Greek yogurt for a lighter option or heavy cream for extra richness.
- Dijon Mustard โ Adds a subtle sharpness to balance the creaminess.
- Smoked Paprika โ If unavailable, use regular paprika.
๐ชHow to Make Ground Chicken Meatballs
This is a quick step-by-step overview. Full instructions are in the recipe card below!
Mix & Shape the Meatballs โ Combine all meatball ingredients in a bowl, then roll into 1 to 1ยผ-inch balls. Coat lightly in flour.
Sear Until Golden โ ะกook the meatballs until golden brown on all sides. Set aside.
Make the Sauce โ In the same pan, melt butter and whisk in flour until golden. Gradually add broth, then stir in sour cream, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
Simmer & Coat โ Return the meatballs to the pan, letting them soak up the creamy sauce. Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.
๐ฝ๏ธBest Ways to Serve These Meatballs
- Over Basmati Rice โ Simple, classic, and so good!
- With Garlic Mashed Potatoes โ Because sauce + potatoes = magic.
- Tossed with buttered noodles โ Think stroganoff, but better.
- With Butter Naan โ Perfect for soaking up every drop of sauce.
๐๏ธLeftovers & Storage
- Refrigerate โ Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat โ Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of broth if needed.
- Freeze โ The meatballs freeze well, but the sauce may separate slightly. Just whisk it back together when reheating!
These ground chicken meatballs are seriously next-level delicious. Once you try them, youโll want to put them on repeatโtrust us! ๐

Ground Chicken Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 pound ground chicken, I used ground chicken thighs
- 1 cup cooked white rice, cold
- 1 large egg
- 1 small onion, grated
- 1 garlic clove, grated using a microplane
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- ยผ teaspoon black pepper
- ยฝ cup flour, for dredging
- 2 tablespoons extra light oil
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- ยผ cup sour cream, or creme fraiche
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ยฝ teaspoon smoked paprika, adjust to taste
- salt and black pepper, to taste
- freshly chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine 1 pound ground chicken, 1 cup cooked white rice, 1 large egg, 1 small onion (grated), 1 garlic clove (grated), ยฝ teaspoon salt, and ยผ teaspoon black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Form & Coat the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into 1 to 1 ยผ-inch meatballs, then coat them lightly in flour, shaking off any excess.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons extra light oil. Place the meatballs in the skillet and cook for 4 minutes on one side, then flip using tongs. Cover and cook for another 3 minutes, or until golden brown on all sides and fully cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, then whisk in 2 tablespoons flour. Stir continuously until the mixture turns golden. Slowly whisk in two cups of 2 cups low sodium chicken broth, stirring until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Whisk in ยผ cup sour cream, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and season with ยฝ teaspoon smoked paprika, salt and black pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer until it thickens enough to lightly coat meatballs.
- Return the meatballs to the pan, stirring gently to coat them in the sauce. Keep in mind the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools. Once warmed through, remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
Notes
- Refrigerate โ Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat โ Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if the sauce has thickened too much.
- Freeze โ The meatballs freeze well, but the sauce may separate slightly. Just whisk it back together while reheating for a smooth, creamy texture!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Iโm a die-hard meatball fan and these ground chicken meatballs are the best! Its very tasty and delicious! I made your recipe a couple of times and it became a huge hit for our family. I love mine served with steamed rice. Hats off to you, Tati! Everything you make is better than any other restaurant. Thanks for sharing!
Made this today and they were amazing! It is a great way to use the leftover rice! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Margo!
A great recipe! The gravy is so delicious and easy to make.
Thank you, Kate!
These meatballs were fantastic!Easy to make and so so flavorful.My husband said it was the best chicken meatballs he has ever had! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Kathy! I am happy your family loved them!
These meatballs turned out exactly as I expected!it is definitely my new go-to meatball recipe.I like to freeze them to have on hand. A great recipe! Thank you, Tati!
Thank you, Darcy!)Hope you will try more recipes on the blog)
Made for my wife for our 37th wedding Anniversary. She loved it!!. Sincerely Smitty.
Thank you so much Scott for your feedback! Very happy to hear you loved these chicken meatballs. ๐ I hope you find many more delicious recipes on my blog!
Made it for dinner and it was a huge hit! My kids absolutely loved them. Thank you for such a delicious recipe .
Thank you, Cindy! I really appreciate you taking the time to write your feedback!
I donโt have rice.. Can I leave the rice out of the meatballs and use breadcrumbs instead?
Yes, breadcrumbs will work well, Elise!
Can you make ahead and reheat in oven?
Hey, Doug! Yes you can make them 1-2 days ahead and reheat in the oven. Preheat the oven to 300ยฐF (150ยฐC).Mix your meatballs and sauce with a few tablespoons of water to loosen the sauce, then, put your meatballs and sauce in a baking tray. Cover the meatballs with foil.
Heat the meatballs for 15-25 minutes, checking halfway through to stir. Hope this will help.
I substituted the rice for breadcrumbs. They were delicious as was the sauce! Not too overpowering or rich and a great dish everyone will love. This recipe is definitely getting saved!
Hey Laura!I am very glad you liked these chicken meatballs and thank you for sharing your experience!!
This recipe sounds great. I was looking for nutrition information due to my and my husbands health issues. Could not find it. Hope you can help.
Hey, Rachel! I added the nutrition information. You can find it in the recipe card.