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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Published: May 24, 2024 · Modified: Mar 2, 2025 by AshleyFreeman ·

    Chicken Piccata Meatballs (Trader Joe's recipe hack)

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    As a busy mom, this Trader Joe's chicken meatballs recipe is a game changer. I love a shortcut, easy dinner solution, and this take on the classic Italian dish of browned chicken breasts in a simple lemony pan sauce is ready in a flash.

    There are various ways you can "dress up" these Trader Joe's meatballs, but this easy recipe is by far my favorite way. You'll want something to soak up the simple lemon, caper, and butter sauce, so I recommend mashed potatoes or rice (cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower, for a low-carb option).

    Two plates of Trader Joe's Chicken Meatballs with Piccata sauce over mashed potatoes with a side of broccoli, a skillet of meatballs, and a small bowl of Parmesan cheese.

    Raise your hand if weeknight meal time is as hectic as ours is. Whether it's the end of the school year, the holiday season, back-to-school, or a random Tuesday night in the middle of soccer season, this quick meal is a go-to for our family.

    Often, I'll pick up a couple of packages of TJ's chicken meatballs on a Trader Joe's run and throw them in the freezer for busy nights when I need a meal ready to go in less than 30 minutes. It's quick, it's easy, and it's healthier than take-out.

    Large white enameled skillet with light blue handle filled with Trader Joe's Chicken Meatballs and Piccata sauce with a yellow handled serving spoon, a stack of white plates, and a small wooden bowl with parsley.

    Many people who know me know that I love a Trader Joe's hack, so if you're looking for more of my favorite recipes that take advantage of Trader Joe's products like these delicious chicken meatballs, I've got you covered.

    My Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage Browned Butter Sauce may seem fancy, but it's a super easy meal and takes only 20 minutes to make thanks to refrigerated ravioli.This Trader Joe's Vegetable Hash and Sausage Stew is also a favorite, utilizing a great packaged chopped veggie mix from the produce section.

    And, these Mediterranean Orzo Bowls with Trader Joe's Greek Chickpeas are on constant rotation in our house. It's a recipe that's easily customizable so it can cater to eaters with different preferences.

    Finally, if you're looking for another out-of-the-ordinary meatball recipe, you should try these enchilada meatballs. They're a from-scratch meatball recipe (but in a pinch you can use a refrigerated or frozen version and make the sauce).

    Enough about that though--let's make these chicken piccata meatballs!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Tasty tip
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Related
    • Even more
    • 🍽Get the recipe
    • Recipe guidelines and test kitchen tips
    • Food safety

    Ingredients

    Before we get started, let's gather the ingredients we need for this recipe.

    Ingredients for Chicken Piccata Meatballs (Trader Joe's ingredient hack).
    • Trader Joe's chicken meatballs
    • olive oil
    • salted butter
    • garlic cloves
    • all-purpose flour
    • chicken broth
    • capers
    • lemon juice
    • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • Parmesan cheese
    • fresh parsley

    (See recipe card for quantities.)

    Instructions

    Now that we've got our ingredients, it's time to get cooking!

    Browning chicken meatballs in a large skillet with wooden and blue enamel handle.
    1. First, cook the meatballs in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown. Remove the meatballs from the skillet, reserving the drippings in the skillet.
    Cooking garlic in butter in a large skillet with a wooden spoon.
    1. Next, add the butter to the skillet and heat until melted. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds or until tender.
    Stirring the chicken broth and lemon juice into the flour and butter mixture until thickened.
    1. Then, whisk in the flour and cook until it's foamy and begins to smell nutty. Slowly stir in the chicken broth and lemon juice and cook 2 minutes or until thickened, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon.
    Adding the meatballs and capers to the large skillet of thickened sauce.
    1. Finally, add the capers and return the meatballs to the skillet, stirring gently to coat. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with parsley and Parmesan cheese before serving.

    Hint: Round out the meal with steamed broccoli or green beans and hot cooked white rice or mashed potatoes. To save on prep time, I often buy a package of refrigerated mashed potatoes and serve those with the meatballs.

    Substitutions

    Here are some substitution suggestions in case you need to change things up:

    • Chicken meatballs - ground turkey meatballs, beef meatballs, and pork meatballs are all great options instead of chicken. You can also use meatless meatballs and vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
    • Capers - out of capers? That's okay. While it's no longer "piccata", chopped green olives are a great option too.
    • All-purpose flour - you can use cornstarch in place of the flour.
    • Chicken broth - substitute vegetable broth if you'd like.
    • Parsley - other fresh herbs are also great in this dish. Try fresh basil or oregano to change it up.

    Variations

    Check out these variations to add a new twist on this recipe:

    • Spicy - add crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce to spice things up
    • Chicken Meatball Piccata Sub - spoon the meatballs and sauce onto buttered and toasted sub rolls. Top with arugula or baby spinach to make this a delicious sandwich.
    • Super lemon - are you a lemon fiend? Stir in a little lemon zest (from the lemon you juiced) to make this super zesty.
    • Kid friendly - my son gobbled these up! I put some meatballs to the side (so they wouldn't get "green stuff", aka parsley, on them). Then, I put the sauce in a little bowl for dipping since he will eat anything when it comes in dip form.

    Equipment

    For this recipe, you'll need the following equipment:

    • measuring spoons
    • chef's knife
    • liquid measuring cup
    • cheese grater
    • large skillet
    • whisk
    • wooden spoon
    • metal tongs

    Storage

    Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

    To freeze, transfer the meatballs to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.

    Tasty tip

    Use a wooden knife to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet while you add the broth and lemon juice. Those bits equal lots of great umami flavor.

    Frequently asked questions

    Are Trader Joe's chicken meatballs already cooked?

    They are, which is why they're a favorite ingredient of mine! They're perfect for busy weeknights because most of the prep is already done.

    How do you make store bought meatballs better?

    Sure, you could serve these right from the package, heated up according to the instructions. But, I like to make a quick homemade sauce to make them even better. I've cooked these in marinara sauce, tossed them with sweet chili sauce for an appetizer, and even tossed them with barbecue sauce for bbq chicken meatballs. I think the piccata sauce is my favorite new way to serve them though.

    Is it better to pan fry or oven bake meatballs?

    You could do either, but for this recipe I pan fry them. That way I only have one pan to clean up. Pan frying also creates a delicious brown crust on the meatballs, and that equals more flavor.

    Is it OK to reheat leftover meatballs in microwave?

    It is, especially since these are cooked in a sauce. To reheat, I microwave on HIGH in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval for even cooking.

    How long are chicken meatballs good for?

    When stored in an airtight container, these piccata meatballs will last in the fridge for about 3 days.

    What are Trader Joe's chicken meatballs seasoned with (in case I can't find them and need to replace that ingredient)?

    Trader Joe's chicken meatballs are seasoned with oregano, basil, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder so if you need to swap out another brand, meatballs with Italian seasoning will be the closest.

    Related

    Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

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    • Wooden tray topped with a light blue bowl of Cajun tartar sauce with hot sauce on top, a bottle of hot sauce on the side, as well as lemon wedges, parsley leaves, and a kitchen towel.
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    • Wooden bowl filled with creamy chicken macaroni salad with ceramic serving spoons, an orange checked cloth, two yellow glasses filled with ice water, and one pottery plate topped with a serving to the side.
      The Best Creamy Macaroni Pasta Salad with Chicken

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    These are more of my favorite recipes:

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      Tomato, Basil, and Feta Pasta Salad (Zoe's Copycat)
    • Green bowl filled with Elote Pasta Salad with a small wooden bowl of Cotija cheese and a small white bowl of cilantro on the side plus a green checked napkin and wooden serving spoon.
      Zesty Elote (Mexican Street Corn) Pasta Salad
    • Cast iron skillet filled with hot Mexican street corn dip with cream cheese on a wooden board surrounded by a blue checked napkin and small white enamel appetizer plates.
      Hot Mexican Street Corn Dip with Cream Cheese
    • Red tray topped with a Strawberry Rum Rita, bowl of strawberries and limes and cocktail picks with a pitcher of extra margaritas and a red checked cloth to the side.
      Delicious Strawberry Rum Rita (Rum Margarita)

    🍽Get the recipe

    Two plates of Trader Joe's Chicken Meatballs with Piccata sauce over mashed potatoes with a side of broccoli and a small bowl of Parmesan cheese.

    Chicken Piccata Meatballs (Trader Joe's recipe hack)

    This Trader Joe's chicken meatballs recipe is an easy weeknight dinner solution. An easy lemony-caper piccata sauce for tossing is a great way to make a semi-homemade meal the whole family loves.
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6

    Equipment

    • measuring spoons
    • chef's knife
    • liquid measuring cup
    • cheese grater
    • large skillet
    • whisk
    • wooden spoon
    • metal tongs

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 (12-ounce) packages Trader Joe's chicken meatballs
    • ¼ cup salted butter
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
    • 1 ¼ cups chicken broth
    • 3 tablespoon drained capers
    • 3 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
    • Chopped fresh parsley, for serving

    Instructions

    • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the meatballs and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the meatballs from the skillet to a plate, reserving the drippings in the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium.
    • Add the butter to the drippings in the skillet and heat until melted. Add the garlic and cook until tender and fragrant, about 30 seconds.
    • Whisk in the flour and cook until the mixture is foamy and begins to smell nutty. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and lemon juice and cook until the sauce is thickened, about 2 minutes.
    • Stir in the capers and meatballs and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir to coat well.
    • Divide the meatballs evenly between serving plates and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley.

    Recipe guidelines and test kitchen tips

    When developing and testing recipes, here are some key things that I do for more success in the kitchen:

    • Be sure to use dry measuring cups for things like flour, sugar, and mayonnaise and a liquid measuring cup for things like water, milk, and broth.
    • When measuring dry ingredients like flour and powdered sugar that can pack down, spoon the ingredient into a dry measuring cup and level with a knife as opposed to scooping the measuring cup into the ingredient.
    • I test and develop recipes using a standard electric oven and standard gas stovetop. Be aware that if you use an electric stovetop or convection oven, your bake times will be different.
    • When recipes call for kosher salt, I use Diamond Crystal kosher salt.

    Food safety

    Finally, don't forget to keep these food safety tips in mind when making this recipe.

    • Be sure to cook the meatballs to an internal temperature of 165°F when tested with a meat thermometer.
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
    • Never leave cooking food unattended.
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dennis says

      June 02, 2024 at 9:04 pm

      5 stars
      What a fun recipe. Those chicken piccata meatballs look delicious! I know my family would love them.

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        June 03, 2024 at 10:28 am

        Thanks for your note, Dennis!

        Reply
    2. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says

      June 02, 2024 at 5:59 pm

      5 stars
      Such a great way to take advantage of ready-made stuff and turn it into an amazing meal! Definitely a keeper! Perfect for an easy weeknight meal.

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        June 03, 2024 at 10:28 am

        Super! I'm always up for a shortcut!

        Reply
    3. Erin says

      June 02, 2024 at 4:07 pm

      5 stars
      These meatballs came out great! Super easy and tasty, too. My son even asked me to make them again next week!

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        June 03, 2024 at 10:27 am

        That's the best, isn't it! I have an opinionated 8-year-old so I can totally relate!

        Reply
    4. Katie Crenshaw says

      June 02, 2024 at 2:40 pm

      5 stars
      What a fun and creative way to use chicken meatballs. This recipe turned out delicious! I definitely will make again.

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        June 03, 2024 at 10:27 am

        So glad you liked it!

        Reply
    5. Ramona says

      June 02, 2024 at 11:23 am

      5 stars
      Those meatballs look so good! The piccata sauce looks like it would pair perfectly with the meatballs. Its a shame we don't have Trader Joes where I live.

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        June 03, 2024 at 10:26 am

        Good news! Italian-seasoned meatballs will work here instead of the Trader Joe's meatballs 🙂

        Reply
    6. Moop Brown says

      June 01, 2024 at 5:39 am

      5 stars
      I don't think I've had chicken meatballs very often but this recipe for them looks like a tasty and easy-to-make meal perfect for weeknights.

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        June 02, 2024 at 8:47 am

        I hadn't really had chicken meatballs either until I discovered the ones from Trader Joe's. Such a lifesaver for busy weeks!

        Reply
    7. Elaine says

      May 30, 2024 at 5:07 am

      5 stars
      I recently tried chicken piccata meatballs, and they were fantastic! Will definitely make this again! 🙂

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        May 30, 2024 at 8:10 pm

        That's so great to hear Elaine!

        Reply
    8. Veronika says

      May 28, 2024 at 6:04 pm

      5 stars
      I love meatballs but they're a pain to make from scratch sometimes. I don't buy them premade often because they aren't always that great but these Trader Joe's ones were amazing! So good in the chicken piccata.

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        May 28, 2024 at 8:39 pm

        You're right--meatballs do take forever! Buying pre-made is a huge help for busy weeknights.

        Reply
    9. Bernice says

      May 27, 2024 at 5:08 pm

      I'm obsessed with TJ's but I'm up here in Canada. I don't get there very often so I really appreciate you offering up alternatives to using TJ's meatballs. I hope it tastes the same because this recipe looks amazing!

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        May 28, 2024 at 10:47 am

        Thanks for your note Bernice! Canada needs a Trader Joe's! Glad my tips helped!

        Reply
    10. Gloria says

      May 27, 2024 at 10:49 am

      5 stars
      What a great recipe for chicken meatballs. Perfect on rice, pasta or potatoes. I would even stuff them into a bun.

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        May 28, 2024 at 10:45 am

        Thanks so much! It's a great weeknight dinner solution!

        Reply
    5 from 9 votes

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    Photo of Ashley Strickland Freeman in a kitchen.

    Hi, I'm Ashley, "your best friend in the kitchen." I'm a food stylist, culinary producer, editor, travel junkie, and author of The Duke's Mayonnaise Cookbook from Charleston, SC. Thanks for stopping by Little Black Skillet!

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