Juicy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, these Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs are a meal prep game-changer! Made with ground chicken, garlic, cheese, and aromatic spices, they’re low-carb, keto-friendly, paleo, and gluten-free. Paired with fluffy steamed cauliflower rice, they make the ultimate weeknight lunch or prep-ahead meal for busy days.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb (450g) ground chicken (or turkey)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, provolone, etc.)
- 4 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 crumbled bouillon cube (optional)
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
For the Garlic Butter Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional, we used Sriracha)
For Serving:
- 1 medium cauliflower head, grated (or pre-riced cauliflower)
- Lemon slices, for garnish
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cauliflower Rice
- Grate the cauliflower or use pre-riced cauliflower.
- Place in a shallow dish with 1/2 cup water and microwave covered for 4 minutes until tender.
2. Make the Meatballs
- In a large bowl, mix ground chicken, cheese, grated garlic, Italian seasoning, optional bouillon, red pepper flakes, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Form medium-sized meatballs and place them on a plate.
3. Cook the Meatballs
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium-low heat.
- Cook meatballs for 8–10 minutes, turning to brown all sides. Baste occasionally with pan juices.
- Transfer cooked meatballs to a clean plate.
4. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter.
- Add minced garlic, lemon juice, chicken stock, hot sauce, and parsley.
- Cook 3–4 minutes, stirring, until slightly reduced. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
5. Assemble Meal Prep Containers
- Divide cauliflower rice into containers.
- Top with chicken meatballs and drizzle with garlic butter sauce (or store sauce separately for freshness).
- Garnish with lemon slices and extra parsley if desired.
Tips for Meal Prep
- Veggie variety: Swap cauliflower rice for zucchini noodles or steamed broccoli for a change.
- Protein swap: Ground turkey works perfectly as an alternative to chicken.
- Freezing: Cooked or uncooked meatballs freeze well. Cool completely before freezing cooked meatballs. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
These Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs with Cauliflower Rice are perfect for quick lunches, easy weeknight dinners, and meal prepping ahead. Healthy, flavorful, and totally customizable!