Description
Juicy, tender, and packed with fresh herbs, these Green Goddess Chicken Ricotta Meatballs are a wholesome twist on classic comfort food. Made with lean chicken, creamy ricotta, and served with a tangy green goddess sauce, they’re perfect for dinner, meal prep, or appetizers.
Ingredients
1 lb ground chicken
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free)
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil (for pan-frying or baking)
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 avocado
2 tbsp fresh parsley
2 tbsp fresh basil
1 tbsp fresh chives
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 clove garlic
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta, Parmesan, breadcrumbs (or almond flour), egg, minced garlic, parsley, basil, chives, salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.
- Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs using your hands or a scoop.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the meatballs until golden brown and cooked through, about 10–12 minutes. Alternatively, bake them at 400°F (200°C) for 18–20 minutes.
- While the meatballs cook, make the green goddess sauce by blending Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, avocado, parsley, basil, chives, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a food processor until smooth.
- Serve the meatballs warm with a generous drizzle or a side of the green goddess sauce.
Notes
Use almond flour instead of breadcrumbs for a gluten-free or low-carb option.
Ground turkey can be substituted for chicken.
Add red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
Dairy-free swaps: use plant-based ricotta and coconut yogurt in the sauce.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for later use.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking or Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
