Mississippi Chicken Meatballs

Description

These Mississippi chicken meatballs combine the flavors you love in Mississippi chicken—a pop of pepperoncini, ranch seasoning, and Monterey Jack cheese—into meatballs, with a quick sauce. Serve them over mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1 (1 ounce) packet ranch seasoning, divided
• 1 (1 ounce) packet au jus mix, divided
• 1 large egg, beaten, at room temperature
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 4 pepperoncini peppers, or more to taste, diced
• cooking spray
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons pepperoncini brine
• 1 cup unsalted chicken broth

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Combine ground chicken, 1 1/2 tablespoons ranch seasoning, 1 1/2 tablespoon au jus mix, egg, breadcrumbs, cheese, and pepperoncini peppers in a bowl until just combined.
3. Form 1 1/2-inch balls (about 1 tablespoon each); place on a baking sheet. Spray meatballs with cooking spray.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes; rotate meatballs halfway through baking time to brown evenly.
5. Meanwhile, combine butter, 1/2 tablespoon ranch seasoning, 1/2 tablespoon au jus mix, pepperoncini brine, and chicken broth in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, whisking constantly until reduced slightly, about 3 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven; allow meatballs to cool for 5 to 10 minutes, Serve over mashed potatoes.