Description
These baked chicken meatballs are a flavorful and healthy alternative to traditional meatballs. Made with ground chicken, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning, they are baked to perfection for a tender and juicy result. Perfect for serving with pasta, on hoagie rolls, or as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauces.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground chicken
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 small sweet onion or white onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 large eggs
- 4 medium garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped Italian parsley
- 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp seasoned salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet or broiler pan with aluminum foil and spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, finely diced onion, grated Parmesan cheese, whole milk, olive oil, eggs, minced garlic, chopped Italian parsley, dried Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, black pepper, and onion powder. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Form meatballs: Using a small scoop or a meatball scoop, form the mixture into 1-inch balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them at least 1 inch apart to allow even cooking. If making in batches, chill the meatball mixture between baking sessions.
- Bake meatballs: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Serve the baked chicken meatballs with pasta, on hoagie rolls for sandwiches, or as an appetizer with warm marinara or pizza sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Protein Substitutions: You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey, ground beef, or Italian sausage for different flavors.
- Herbs: Feel free to add fresh herbs like rosemary, chives, or thyme to enhance the flavor.
- Cheese Topping: For a cheesy option, bake the meatballs then drizzle with marinara sauce and top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Melt under the broiler for a quick topping that pairs perfectly with pasta or zucchini noodles.
- Spice: To add heat, mix in 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes into the meatball mixture, adjusting to taste.
- Bread Crumbs: Use Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs or gluten-free breadcrumbs as alternatives to panko, depending on your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
