Italian Style Chicken Meatballs Recipe

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into the ultimate comfort dish with my savory and unforgettable chicken parmesan meatballs, where each bite is packed with cheesy goodness and fresh herbs, making it the perfect answer to any dinner cravings!

I adore making Italian-style chicken meatballs that are full of flavor while using ground chicken as a lighter substitute. Grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and finely chopped fresh parsley balance the taste.

Minced garlic and a blend of spices make these meatballs deliciously aromatic and nutritious.

Italian Style Chicken Meatballs Recipe Ingredients

• Ground Chicken: Lean protein, low in fat, rich in vitamins.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds flavor, contains calcium and protein.
• Breadcrumbs: Provides texture, helps bind ingredients.
• Fresh Parsley: Fresh flavor, source of vitamins A, C, and K.
• Garlic: Adds aroma, potential health benefits, rich in antioxidants.
• Egg: Binds ingredients, adds protein and nutrients.
• Olive Oil: Heart-healthy, provides essential fatty acids.
• Marinara Sauce: Adds moisture, rich in antioxidants from tomatoes.

Italian Style Chicken Meatballs Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups marinara sauce

How to Make this Italian Style Chicken Meatballs Recipe

1. Set your oven to 400° F (approximately 200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a big mixing bowl, blend ground chicken, grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, finely chopped fresh parsley, minced garlic, and the large egg.

3. Combine the salt, black pepper, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using) with the mixture. Stir until all ingredients are well meshed.

4. Form the mixture into meatballs with your hands, about 1 to
1.5 inches in diameter, and put them on the prepared baking sheet.

5. In a big frying pan, warm up the olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs with care and sear them on every side until they are golden brown, which takes about 2-3 minutes per side.

6. Take the meatballs from the skillet and put them into a baking dish.

7. Ensure the meatballs are mostly covered by the marinara sauce when pouring it over them.

8. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.

9. Take off the foil and continue baking for 5 more minutes to make the sauce a little thicker.

10. Present the meatballs, Italian style, over a fresh bed of pasta, or with a side of crusty bread. It makes no difference if the pasta is twisted, ribboned, or layered. Just ensure it isn’t clumped. Top either way with a generous snowfall of freshly grated Parmesan. Add a sprig of parsley, if the spirit so moves you.

Italian Style Chicken Meatballs Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Baking sheet
3. Parchment paper
4. Large mixing bowl
5. Mixing spoon
6. Knife (for chopping and mincing)
7. Measuring cups
8. Measuring spoons
9. Frying pan
10. Stove (for heating the pan)
11. Baking dish
12. Aluminum foil
13. Tongs or a spatula (for handling meatballs)
14. Plate and utensils for serving (e.g., pasta server or bread knife)
15. Grater (for Parmesan cheese)
16. Pot (if serving over pasta)
17. Colander (if serving over pasta)
18. Cutting board

FAQ

• Can I use turkey instead of chicken for the meatballs?Certainly, ground turkey makes an excellent stand-in and will perform very nicely in this dish.
• How can I make the meatballs gluten-free?Change gluten-free breadcrumbs for regular breadcrumbs to create a libre gluten environment within which the meatballs may be cooked.
• Can I bake these meatballs instead of frying them?Certainly! Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and place the meatballs on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until they are cooked all the way through.
• What is the best way to store leftovers?Keep leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Is it necessary to add the red pepper flakes?The optional red pepper flakes may be excluded if you desire a less spicy dish.
• Can I use jarred marinara sauce?Of course, using jarred marinara sauce is totally okay and quite convenient, of course, and it works perfectly well with this recipe.

Italian Style Chicken Meatballs Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Ground turkey can be employed as a substitute for ground chicken.
Parmesan cheese can be substituted with Pecorino Romano.
Regular breadcrumbs can be replaced by panko breadcrumbs for a lighter texture.
Dried parsley may be used instead of fresh parsley (use half the amount).
For marinara sauce, you can use canned tomato sauce. Just add some Italian seasoning to enhance the flavor.

Pro Tips

1. Chill the Mixture Before forming the meatballs, let the mixture chill in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes. This makes it easier to shape the meatballs and helps them hold their form better during cooking.

2. Use a Cookie Scoop For evenly-sized meatballs, use a cookie scoop or something similar to portion out the mixture. This ensures uniform cooking and makes the process faster.

3. Non-stick Tip To prevent the meatballs from sticking to your hands when shaping them, lightly coat your hands with water or olive oil. This not only makes it easier but also gives the meatballs a nice surface texture.

4. Searing for Flavor When searing the meatballs, do not overcrowd the pan. Sear them in batches if necessary to ensure a good brown crust, which adds flavor and texture.

5. Customize the Spice If you like your meatballs spicier, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mixture. This can enhance the overall taste without overpowering it.