Ranch Chicken Meatballs
Tender skillet chicken meatballs simmered in a creamy ranch sauce with chicken broth and cream cheese. Easy, cozy, and weeknight-approved.
Servings: 4
Calories: 584kcal
Equipment
- Large skillet (12-inch is ideal)
- large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Whisk
- Tongs (or a spoon for turning meatballs)
- Rubber spatula or wooden spoon (for scraping the pan)
- Cookie scoop (about 1 tablespoon) or tablespoon measure
- Cutting board + knife (for parsley)
- Instant-read thermometer (optional, but handy for chicken)
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 ½ pounds ground chicken
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, panko, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Mix with a fork or clean hands just until the mixture holds together.
- Roll into meatballs about 1 tablespoon each. If the mixture sticks, lightly wet your palms.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add meatballs in a single layer. Cook 2 to 3 minutes on the first side until browned, then turn and brown remaining sides (about 6 to 8 minutes total). Transfer meatballs to a plate.
- Pour chicken broth into the skillet and scrape up the browned bits.
- Whisk ranch seasoning into the broth.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add cream cheese in small pieces, whisking until the sauce is smooth.
- Return meatballs to the skillet and spoon sauce over top. Simmer 8 to 10 minutes until cooked through (165°F internal temp if using a thermometer).
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- For the juiciest meatballs, stop mixing as soon as everything is combined. Overmixing makes chicken tight and rubbery.
- If the sauce gets too thick, loosen with a splash of broth. If it’s too thin, simmer uncovered a few minutes.
- Ranch seasoning can vary in salt. Taste the sauce before adding extra salt.
- Softened cream cheese melts smoother. If you forgot to soften it, keep heat low and whisk patiently
Nutrition
Calories: 584kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 244mg | Sodium: 932mg | Potassium: 1065mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 906IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 2mg
