PF
A close-up of spaghetti topped with creamy chicken meatballs on a white plate.
Stovetop~40 minComplexity

Chicken Cacciatore Meatballs

These Chicken Cacciatore Meatballs deliver 46g protein and 671 calories per serving — the highest-protein version in this category for serious protein targets. Quick stovetop cooking yields 6 servings, making portion control and macro tracking straightforward for your week ahead. Built for muscle-building phases where you're balancing high protein intake with sufficient calories for recovery.

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Ingredients

6 servings
  • Ground Chicken(907g)

    Usually near ground turkey in the meat section. Check fat % on label.

  • Egg, Whole, Large
  • 3 teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • Garlic(120g)
  • Italian seasoning(20g)
  • Parmesan Cheese(240g)

    Grated Parmesan — the shelf-stable canister is fine for cooking.

  • Bread Crumbs, Dry, Plain(240g)

    Plain dry bread crumbs. Panko works too but is lighter per cup.

  • Olive oil(30g)

    Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

  • Bell Pepper
  • Shallot
  • Mushrooms, Cremini(227g)
  • Low Sodium Chicken Broth(240g)
  • Wine, Red, Table(240g)
  • Tomato, Canned, Crushed
  • Olives, Black, Canned, Pitted
  • Red pepper flakes(3g)
  • Basil, Fresh

Instructions

  1. 1In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, eggs, minced fresh garlic, Italian seasoning, grated Parmesan, and plain dry bread crumbs. Mix until just combined, then wet your hands and form the mixture into golf ball-size meatballs (about 18 total). Place on a plate.
  2. 2Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large braiser or skillet over medium-high heat until glistening. Working in batches to avoid crowding, add the meatballs in a single layer and cook 4–5 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides. Transfer to a clean plate and repeat with remaining meatballs.
  3. 3Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the braiser over medium-high heat. Once glistening, add the bell pepper, shallot, and cremini mushrooms. Cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shallot begins to soften. Add the minced fresh garlic and cook 1 minute more, stirring constantly.
  4. 4Stir in the low sodium chicken broth, red wine, and remaining Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces by half.
  5. 5Stir in the crushed canned tomatoes, black olives, and red pepper flakes. Return the meatballs to the sauce, submerging them fully. Simmer 20–25 minutes over medium-low heat until the sauce thickens and the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
  6. 6Divide the meatballs and sauce evenly into 6 airtight containers while hot. Cool to room temperature, then seal and refrigerate.
  7. 7To serve, reheat in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through, then top with fresh basil, red pepper flakes, and grated Parmesan as desired.

Nutrition — Per Serving

671

calories

46g

protein

31g

fat

Carbohydrates
46g
Saturated fat
10.8g
Sodium
1165 mg
Dietary fiber
3.2g

6 servings per batch · ~378g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does Chicken Cacciatore Meatballs have per serving?

Each serving provides 46g of protein and 671 calories with 31g fat and 46g carbs. This is one of the highest-protein options in the PrepForge Italian dinner collection.

How long does Chicken Cacciatore Meatballs take to prep?

Quick prep time on the stovetop with 6 servings per batch means you're making a full week of protein-packed dinners in one session. Meatballs batch remarkably well for meal prep storage.

Is Chicken Cacciatore Meatballs good for muscle gain?

At 46g protein per 671 calories, these meatballs are a solid muscle gain choice with enough carbs to support training while keeping calories reasonable. The protein-to-calorie ratio supports aggressive strength phases.

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