Chicken Meatballs
These tender and juicy chicken meatballs are packed with flavor and are a healthier alternative to traditional beef meatballs. Perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or as an appetizer, this recipe is simple to follow and sure to impress your family and friends.
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 baking sheet
- 1 parchment paper or cooking spray
- 1 large skillet
- 1 cooking thermometer (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 cup marinara sauce for serving
- to taste tablespoons olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Using your hands, form the mixture into meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each meatball.
- Drizzle a little olive oil over the meatballs to help them brown. Bake them in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through (the internal temperature should be at least 165°F or 75°C).
- While the meatballs are baking, warm the marinara sauce in a skillet over medium heat.
- Once the meatballs are cooked, transfer them to the skillet with the warm marinara sauce and toss gently until coated.
- Serve the chicken meatballs hot over pasta, in a sub sandwich, or as an appetizer with toothpicks.
Notes
You can customize the seasonings based on your preference or add additional ingredients like chopped spinach or grated carrots for extra nutrition.
These meatballs can be made ahead of time and frozen. Simply bake them, let them cool, and then freeze in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag. To reheat, bake them from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for about 25-30 minutes.
Pair these meatballs with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Enjoy!