Chicken Meatballs

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I love making chicken meatballs for dinner! They’re so easy to prepare and always turn out delicious. Ground chicken is combined with breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, herbs and spices, formed into balls and baked until golden brown.

Like my Baked Turkey Meatballs, these Ground chicken meatballs can be served as a main dish.

They go well with pasta, make an excellent sandwich filling, or can be enjoyed as a snack with Marinara Sauce for dipping. Plus, you can easily Freeze Meatballs to use later on and that’s a win for everyone.

Baked chicken meatballs are a healthier alternative to traditional meatballs and taste great. This recipe is lean, and baking rather than pan-frying means you need less oil. Cooking them in broth ensures the meatballs are juicy and delicious despite being made with lean meat. 

And, be sure to check out my other meatball recipes if your family loves meatballs as much as mine!

Why Make This Recipe

• Healthier Option – Baking chicken meatballs instead of frying them reduces the amount of added fat and calories, making them a healthier alternative. Ground chicken is also lower in fat than meatballs made with beef or pork.
• Tender and Juicy – Chicken may be lower in fat, but baking these meatballs in broth keeps the recipe moist and yummy.  
• Versatile – Enjoy the meatballs as a main dish, serve them with pasta and marinara, add them to sandwiches, slice them on pizza or enjoy them as an appetizer. Chicken meatballs are super versatile.  

Ingredient Notes

• Chicken – Use ground chicken or ground turkey for a lean meatball. Substitute with ground beef if desired. 
• Parmesan – Grated parmesan adds a nutty flavor. Use any cheese desired. 
• Breadcrumbs – I like to use panko breadcrumbs, but you could use regular breadcrumbs or gluten free breadcrumbs. 
• Fresh Parsley – Fresh parsley is preferred, but, if using dried parsley, use four teaspoons. 
• Tomato Paste – Look for the tubes of tomato paste for recipes that require small amounts. 
• Broth – You can use chicken or vegetable broth. 
• Egg – Bring the egg to room temperature. 
• Olive Oil – or use your favorite light, neutral flavored oil. 
• Seasoning – Season with kosher salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, ground coriander and add crushed red pepper flakes or Tabasco sauce to taste. 

How To Make Chicken Meatballs

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Preheat the oven to 390 degrees F / 198 degrees C. 
2. Add ground chicken, a beaten egg, salt, spices, grated parmesan, panko, chopped parsley and tomato paste in a large mixing bowl.
3. Mix all ingredients using a spoon, spatula or hands until just combined. 
4. Using wet hands, form balls 2-3 inches in diameter and place them into a 9×13 baking dish.
5. Pour the broth (chicken, vegetable) into the baking dish and brush the tops of the meatballs with olive oil. 
6. Bake for 25 minutes or until the temperature of the meatballs reaches at least 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C. 
7. Allow the meatballs to cool slightly for several minutes, then serve with the broth. 

Use a quick read thermometer like this one to check the internal temp of the meatballs. This should read at least 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C.

Expert Tips 

• Choose ground chicken that is a mixture of light and dark meat for more moisture. 
• Breadcrumbs, cheese, and egg each play an essential role in adding moisture and helping the meatballs hold their shape. 
• Chicken has a mild flavor, so season generously.
• Use an ice cream scoop to make uniform meatballs. 
• Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. The temperature should be 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C when inserted into the thickest part of the chicken.
• Rest the meatballs before serving. 

Delicious Variations

• Swap The Seasonings – This chicken meatball recipe has a classic Italian flavor. Swap the seasoning to make Meditteranean meatballs, Mexican meatballs, Teriyaki meatballs, or even Thai meatballs. 
• Add Veggies – Add finely diced onions, carrots, or garlic for flavor and moisture. 

Prep And Storage

• Prep Ahead – If using frozen ground chicken, thaw it completely. 
• Store – Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. 
• Freeze – Flash freeze individual meatballs on a baking sheet, transfer them to a ziptop bag and freeze them for up to three months. Defrost overnight in the fridge or add frozen meatballs directly to sauce or broth. 
• Reheat – Reheat in the microwave or a skillet. 

FAQs

Similar Recipes

• How To Make Meatballs.
• How To Freeze Meatballs.
• How To Bake Meatballs in the Oven.
• Easy Instant Pot Meatballs.
• How To Cook Frozen Meatballs in Air Fryer.
• Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs.

Serve With

• For a classic pairing, serve your meatballs in this Spaghetti Sauce!
• Just don’t forget to whip up a batch of delicious Frozen Garlic Bread in Air Fryer.
• I looooove piling them onto these delicious and easy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes.

Recommended Tools

• A handy set of mixing bowls to combine your ingredients with ease.
• This instant read digital meat thermometer to check your food for doneness.
• Measuring cups and spoons to make sure you get the correct amounts.
• And for the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 7 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Thank you for reading my Chicken Meatballs recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

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