Description
These juicy Chicken Meatballs are tender, flavorful, and easy to make with simple pantry ingredients. Perfect for pasta, rice bowls, sandwiches, meal prep, or as a protein-packed appetizer served with your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1½ lbs ground chicken
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
- Mix Ingredients. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands or a fork just until everything is combined to avoid tough meatballs.
- Form Meatballs. Shape the mixture into about 20 to 24 meatballs, using roughly 1½ tablespoons of mixture per meatball for uniform size and even cooking.
- Prepare for Baking. Arrange the meatballs evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly brush or drizzle the tops with olive oil to encourage browning and moisture.
- Bake Meatballs. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Serve. Let the meatballs rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy them with marinara sauce, pasta, rice, a salad, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Using ground chicken thighs instead of breast meat produces especially juicy meatballs.
- For extra moisture, add 1–2 tablespoons of milk or Greek yogurt to the mixture.
- You can pan-sear the meatballs in olive oil for a browned, crispy exterior before finishing them in the oven.
- Freeze cooked meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3 months for easy meal prep.
- Serve with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese for an easy chicken Parmesan-style meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer, Meal Prep, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
