Description
Delicious and easy-to-make chicken meatballs baked to golden perfection. These tender meatballs combine ground chicken with Parmesan, garlic, and fresh parsley for a flavorful main course that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or party appetizers. Versatile enough to serve with pasta, in sandwiches, or with your favorite sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian-style)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Baking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing or spraying on meatballs)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Mix ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined to keep the meatballs tender; avoid over-mixing.
- Form meatballs: Using a small scoop or your hands, shape the mixture into meatballs about 1 to 1 ½ inches in diameter. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Prepare for baking: Lightly brush or spray the tops of the meatballs with olive oil to help them brown nicely while baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until the meatballs are golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Rest and serve: Remove the meatballs from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes to allow juices to redistribute before serving. Enjoy with your choice of marinara sauce, pasta, sandwiches, or as an appetizer.
Notes
- These meatballs freeze well both before and after cooking, making them a convenient make-ahead option.
- You can pan-fry the meatballs in a skillet with olive oil over medium heat for 10 to 12 minutes, turning them regularly to brown all sides.
- Serve the meatballs with marinara sauce, over pasta, in sandwiches, or as a tasty party appetizer.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
