Start by placing all the meatball ingredients, except for the olive oil, into a large mixing bowl. Ground chicken, egg, panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of pepper should all go in. Mix everything together with your hands, being careful not to overwork the mixture. You want it to be combined but still moist. This mixture will be a bit wet, which is perfect for forming tender meatballs.
Next, form about 1-inch meatballs from the mixture, which should yield around 30 small meatballs. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This makes for easy cleanup and keeps the meatballs from sticking.
Now, microwave the cream cheese for about 20 to 30 seconds until it’s soft. You can cut it into smaller pieces to help it melt faster.
In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the meatballs in batches. Fry them until they’re golden brown all over, which should take about 5 minutes per batch. Utilize tongs for flipping them, as they’ll brown quickly. If you find that the skillet needs more oil for the second batch, feel free to add a splash more.
Once browned, transfer the meatballs to a plate and turn off the burner briefly to let the pan cool slightly. If there’s excess oil in the skillet, you can drain it, but do keep the flavorful browned bits in the pan.
Now, add the chicken broth, ranch seasoning, minced garlic, and softened cream cheese back into the skillet. Cook this mixture over medium heat, stirring often so it melts into a smooth sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, just add a splash more water or chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
Finally, return the meatballs to the skillet and let them simmer in the sauce for about 5 minutes, or until they’re cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Stir occasionally to allow the meatballs to absorb the delicious sauce. If the sauce is bubbling too aggressively, you might want to turn the heat down a bit.
Once fully cooked, stir in the fresh parsley for a burst of color and flavor. These meatballs are now ready to serve, so enjoy them immediately!
