Go Back
+ servings

Chicken Meatballs in White Sauce

5 from 1 vote
Soft and tender chicken meatballs with cooked rice, onion, and carrot simmered in a creamy white sauce. A simple, cozy skillet dinner made with basic ingredients.
Homemade chicken meatballs simmered in a cozy white sauce with carrot and onion
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients 

For the Chicken Meatballs

  • 2 lb ground chicken about 900 g
  • 7 oz (200g) cooked rice about 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Half of the sautéed onion and carrot mixture

For the Onion and Carrot

  • 3 tbsp oil
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 1 carrot grated

For the White Sauce

  • 1 1/2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it starts to soften, then add the grated carrot. Cook until the vegetables are tender and lightly sweet.
  • Transfer about half of the sautéed onion and carrot to a large bowl. Leave the remaining half in the skillet for the sauce.
  • Add the ground chicken, cooked rice, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder to the bowl with the sautéed vegetables. Mix gently just until combined.
  • Lightly wet your hands with water, then shape the chicken mixture into meatballs. The mixture will feel soft, but the cooked rice helps it hold together.
  • Add the butter to the skillet with the remaining onion and carrot. Once melted, sprinkle in the flour and stir for about 1 minute.
  • Slowly pour in the water while stirring, then add the heavy cream. Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir until the sauce looks smooth and creamy.
  • Nestle the chicken meatballs into the white sauce. Cover the skillet and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Gently turn the meatballs, cover again, and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.
  • Spoon the white sauce over the meatballs and serve warm.

Notes

  • Use cooked rice, not raw rice. Raw rice will not have enough time to soften inside the meatballs.
  • The chicken mixture will be soft and a little sticky. Lightly wetting your hands makes the meatballs much easier to shape.
  • Try not to overmix or pack the meatballs too tightly. Gentle mixing helps them stay soft and tender.
  • If the sauce gets too thick, add a small splash of water, cream, or chicken broth.
  • If it feels too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few minutes after the meatballs are cooked.