Description
These Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are a delicious twist on classic chicken parmesan, featuring tender ground chicken meatballs baked in a savory marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish, this recipe combines Italian flavors with easy preparation and a crispy breadcrumb coating.
Ingredients
Meatball Mixture
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 egg
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Breadcrumb Coating
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Cooking & Topping
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 ½ cups marinara sauce (about 1 (24-ounce) jar)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh chopped basil (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the meatballs later in the recipe.
- Prepare breadcrumb mixture: In a small bowl, combine half of the panko breadcrumbs (½ cup) and half of the grated Parmesan cheese (¼ cup). This mixture will be used to coat the meatballs before browning to add a crispy texture.
- Mix meatball ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, egg, remaining panko breadcrumbs (½ cup), remaining grated Parmesan cheese (¼ cup), Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix the ingredients gently until just evenly combined to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form meatballs and coat: Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop or your hands to portion out the meat mixture into 16 equal-sized meatballs. Roll each meatball in the reserved breadcrumb and cheese mixture to evenly coat each ball.
- Brown meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Working in batches if necessary, brown the meatballs on all sides for about 1 to 2 minutes per side. This step develops flavor and adds a golden crust.
- Add sauce and cheese, then bake: Pour the marinara sauce over the browned meatballs in the skillet. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the meatballs are cooked through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, garnish with fresh chopped basil if desired, and serve hot. These meatballs pair beautifully with pasta, bread, or a fresh salad.
Notes
- Using an oven-safe skillet allows you to brown and bake the meatballs in the same pan, reducing cleanup.
- To ensure even cooking, avoid overcrowding the skillet when browning meatballs, and brown them in batches if needed.
- For a lower sodium option, use reduced-sodium marinara and adjust added salt in the meat mixture.
- These meatballs can be made ahead and frozen uncooked; bake directly from frozen by adding a few more minutes to bake time.
- Serve with spaghetti or garlic bread for a complete Italian-inspired meal.