Description
Juicy ground chicken meatballs enriched with pumpkin, served in a fragrant sage and cream sauce. This comforting dish balances elegance and coziness, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin purée
- 1/3 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 garlic clove, finely grated
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 garlic clove, finely grated
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh sage
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: a pinch of nutmeg
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, pumpkin purée, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- With damp hands, form the mixture into about 16 meatballs, around 1.5 inches in diameter.
- Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a plate.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add garlic and chopped sage, cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream, season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Return the browned meatballs to the saucepan, nestling them into the cream. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and sauce coats them.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh sage or black pepper if desired.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the meatball mixture to ensure tender meatballs.
- Use breadcrumbs to help the meatballs hold their shape.
- Control pan heat to medium when browning meatballs.
- Simmer the cream gently to prevent separation or scorching.
- Meatballs can be formed ahead of time and refrigerated up to 24 hours.
- Sauce can be made ahead and reheated gently.
- Uncooked meatballs can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- The finished dish can be frozen, but cream-based sauces may change texture slightly upon thawing.
- Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying and Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 4 meatballs with sauce)
- Calories: N/A
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: N/A
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: N/A
- Cholesterol: N/A
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