Melt-in-your-mouth tender and juicy, these Chicken Piccata Meatballs simmer in a buttery lemon garlic sauce with capers and herbs for that classic piccata flavor. This creative spin on a traditional Italian dish is quick, easy and perfect for busy weeknights.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love These Chicken Piccata Meatballs
• 🛒 Ingredients for Low Carb Chicken Piccata Meatballs
• 🔪 How to Make Gluten-Free Chicken Piccata Meatballs
• 💡 Tips
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 What to Serve with Piccata Meatballs
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• Why are My Meatballs Falling Apart?
• What Can I Use Instead of Capers?
• Can I Make Piccata Meatballs Ahead of Time?
• What’s the Best Way to Thicken the Sauce?
• 🍽️ More Easy Chicken Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love These Chicken Piccata Meatballs

• Tender juicy chicken meatballs
• Creative spin in classic Chicken Piccata 
• Lemon, butter and garlic flavors
• Briny capers and fresh herbs
• Quick and easy to make
• Perfect for busy weeknights

Chicken Piccata Meatballs take all the things you love about the classic Italian dish, zesty lemon, buttery sauce, and briny capers, and turn them into mouth-watering bite-sized meatballs. These tender and flavorful meatballs are seared until golden and then simmered in a luscious, lemony sauce.

And speaking of that sauce...zesty lemons, savory chicken broth, and fragrant garlic come together to create a velvety piccata sauce that clings to every bite. This is one of those recipes that feels elegant enough for company but simple enough for a weeknight meal.

If you love meatballs as much as I do and like to keep things low-carb, be sure to check out these, Italian Meatballs and tasty Greek Meatballs.

🛒 Ingredients for Low Carb Chicken Piccata Meatballs

• Ground chicken
• Almond flour
• Lemon
• Garlic
• Capers
• Parsley
• Egg
• Olive oil
• Chicken broth
• White wine (or more chicken broth)
• Dried basil
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Mixing bowl
• Cookie scoop
• Oven-safe skillet

🔪 How to Make Gluten-Free Chicken Piccata Meatballs

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Add the eggs, garlic, capers, lemon zest, chicken bouillon, dried basil, fresh parsley, salt and ground black pepper into a large mixing bowl.  Mix to combine.

Add in the ground chicken and almond flour.

Mix just until combined, without over mixing.

Using wet hands (as the dough will be sticky) and a cookie scoop, form the meatballs, then place them in an oven-safe skillet with the olive oil. 

Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven.  Flip the meatballs over and continue cooking them on the other side for another 2-3 minutes or until cooked through.

Remove the meatballs from the skillet and add in 1 tablespoon of the butter and the garlic. Sauté for about 20 seconds, making sure not to brown the garlic.

Deglaze the pan with the white wine (or chicken broth) and simmer until reduced by half.

Add in the remaining butter, chicken broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley and capers.

Simmer for 5-7 minutes or until thickened, then add the meatballs back in, toss in the sauce until heated through. 

Serve with the sauce over the tops and fresh lemon slices.

💡 Tips

• Chill the meatball mixture in the fridge for 15 minutes if it feels sticky. This simple trick will make them easier to handle and roll.

• To ensure they are all the same size, you can use a cookie scoop to help portion out the chicken mixture.

• Deglazing the pan is the ultimate flavor booster. After cooking the meatballs, scrape up the browned bits to infuse the sauce with extra flavor.

• Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the balance of salt, lemon juice, or capers for a perfectly seasoned dish.

• Let the meatballs rest in the sauce for a few minutes, allowing them to absorb the flavors fully.

☑️ Storage Instructions

Fridge: Store leftover meatballs an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.

Freezer: Freeze cooked meatballs and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

🍴 What to Serve with Piccata Meatballs

• Angel hair pasta: Pasta is a classic pairing that soaks up the sauce beautifully.

• Zucchini noodles: This makes for a lighter, keto-friendly option.

• Mashed potatoes or cauliflower: For a creamy, hearty side dish spoon the meatballs and sauce over fluffy mashed potatoes or cheesy mashed cauliflower.

• Arugula salad: A spinach and arugula salad with a mix of greens, Honeycrisp apples, juicy blackberries, and creamy goat cheese is the perfect pairing.

• Caprese salad: A caprese salad with juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and crisp basil makes the ideal side dish.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Protein: Substitute ground turkey for ground chicken if preferred. You could also mix in a little ground sausage for added flavor.

• Add some heat: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a bit of heat.

• Herbs: Mix a tablespoon of Italian seasoning into the meatballs for an herby twist.

• Breading: Swap almond flour for breadcrumbs if gluten-free isn’t a priority.

• Cheese: Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

• Grated zucchini: Sneak in extra an veggie by mixing in a little grated zucchini.

Why are My Meatballs Falling Apart?

Be sure not to overmix the meatball ingredients, and ensure the mixture is moist but holds together when shaped. Also, be gentle when flipping them because they tend to be delicate until they have browned.

What Can I Use Instead of Capers?

Green olives or diced artichoke hearts work as a briny substitute.

Can I Make Piccata Meatballs Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! Make the meatballs and sauce ahead of time and reheat gently before serving.

What’s the Best Way to Thicken the Sauce?

Piccata sauce is not a thick sauce like alfredo, but you can thicken it some if you prefer, Just simmer until it reduces, or whisk in a cornstarch slurry for a thicker consistency.

🍽️ More Easy Chicken Recipes

• Southwest Chicken Salad
• Lemon Pepper Chicken Drum Sticks
• Chicken Corn Chowder
• Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
• Greek Sheet Pan Chicken