Description
These chicken parmesan meatballs are juicy, cheesy, and baked to perfection in rich marinara sauce. A comforting Italian-inspired dish that’s easy to make for family dinners or meal prep, featuring ground chicken, mozzarella, and Parmesan for a flavor-packed bite every time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed (for stuffing and topping)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Take about 2 tablespoons of the mixture, flatten slightly, and place a cube of mozzarella in the center. Roll into a ball and seal the cheese inside.
- Arrange meatballs on the baking sheet and bake for 15–18 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- In a large skillet, warm the marinara sauce over medium heat. Add baked meatballs and simmer for 10 minutes to infuse flavor.
- Top with extra mozzarella, cover until melted, and garnish with chopped basil before serving.
Notes
- Do not overmix the chicken mixture to keep meatballs tender.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of 165°F.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat in marinara sauce to retain moisture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked and Simmered
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: chicken parmesan meatballs, baked meatballs, cheesy chicken meatballs, italian comfort food, easy chicken dinner