Description
These baked chicken meatballs are an easy, healthy, and flavorful dinner option that’s perfect for weeknight meals, meal prep, or entertaining. Made with simple ingredients like ground chicken, Parmesan, and herbs, they offer tender, juicy bites with a versatile flavor profile that can be customized to your liking while keeping prep time minimal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for greasing the baking sheet)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, beaten egg, garlic powder, onion powder, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a spoon to gently mix until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
- Shape Your Meatballs: Using your hands or a small ice cream scoop, portion out the mixture into equal-sized balls about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare to Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and aid cleanup.
- Bake the Meatballs: Arrange the meatballs evenly on the baking sheet, spaced slightly apart for heat circulation. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the meatballs rest for a few minutes after baking to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and flavorful bites.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the meatball mixture to avoid tough texture.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Use a scoop to portion meatballs evenly for consistent cooking.
- Add moisture by incorporating a spoonful of plain yogurt or grated zucchini if using lean ground chicken.
- For a crispier exterior, switch the oven to broil for the last 2 minutes of cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg