Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
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These Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are a healthy, family-friendly dinner the whole crew will love. They're perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep, this recipe makes dinnertime easier and tastier whether you serve them over pasta, in sandwiches, or straight from the skillet.
Quick Look: Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
- 🕒 Total Time: 40 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 6
- 📊 Calories: 328 (for about 4.5 meatballs)
For an alternative meatball recipe, be sure to check out my Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs! They're full of flavor, easy to make, and are great for a healthy, high protein family dinner!
Why You'll Love These Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
- High-Protein & Healthy Comfort Food - These high-protein chicken parmesan meatballs deliver big flavor in a lighter way than traditional chicken parmesan. Perfect for anyone focused on balanced meals, macro-friendly recipes, or high-protein meal prep.
- Super Easy & Family-Friendly - These meatballs are picky-eater approved, kid-friendly, and ideal for busy families who want a homemade dinner without a ton of time.
- Perfect for Pasta Night or Meal Prep - These meatballs can be served on their own, over pasta, in a sub roll, or alongside roasted veggies. They're also perfect for meal prep!
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Select Ingredients
- Ground Chicken - lean ground chicken breast works great in this recipe but you can swap for a lean turkey or lean ground beef if that's what you have on hand.
- Bread Crumbs - Italian bread crumbs taste great in this recipe. You can also use gluten-free bread crumbs in needed and they work great.
- Shredded Cheese - Freshly grated cheese tastes the best in this recipe!
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
My Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are another delicious chicken meatball recipe that you're going to love! They're lean, high protein, and full of great flavor. They're perfect for a weeknight dinner, watching sports, or meal prep!
Recipe Tips & Variations
➡️ Don't Overmix the Meat - When combining the ground chicken with breadcrumbs, egg, cheese, and seasonings, mix just until everything is incorporated. Overworking the mixture can make the meatballs dense and tough instead of tender and juicy.
➡️ Make it Extra Cheesy - Mix in small cubes of mozzarella for a gooey, stuffed center.
➡️ Bake Them Instead - If you prefer to bake the meatballs instead of cooking them directly in the marinara sauce, you absolutely can. Simply line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the meatballs on top. Bake at 400 degrees F for about 20 minutes or until internal temp reaches 165 degrees F. Then toss with marinara and cheese and broil until cheese is melted.
How to Make Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, ½ cup parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Mix everything together until just combined.
Step 2: Add marinara to a pan and heat it over gentle heat while you roll out the meatballs.
Step 3: Add the meatballs into the simmering marinara sauce. Cover with a lid and simmer over low heat about 10 minutes minutes.
Step 4: Flip the meatballs over and cover with a lid cooking an additional 5-10 minutes or until meatballs internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
Step 5: Preheat the broiler, then sprinkle the remaining parmesan all over the meatballs followed by all the mozzarella. Place under the broiler for 3-5 minutes or until the top is bubbling and browned. Garnish with fresh or dried basil. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Bake at 400°F for 18-22 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Baking creates a slightly firmer texture, while simmering in sauce keeps them extra tender.
Absolutely! Prep and refrigerate uncooked meatballs up to 24 hours in advance.
Fully cook and refrigerate meatballs for up to 4 days. Freeze cooked or uncooked meatballs for up to 3 months.
Ground chicken is lean, so it can dry out easily. To keep meatballs moist, use breadcrumbs and egg for binding, avoid overmixing, and cook just until they reach 165°F. Simmering in marinara sauce also helps lock in moisture.
Check out my meal planning app Wholesome Meals Made Easy for more easy, healthy recipes your whole crew will actually love. It's like having a dietitian in your back pocket - quick, balanced, and family-approved!
More Healthy Dinner Recipes
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Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground chicken
- 1 Yellow onion small, diced finely
- 2 clove Garlic minced
- ¾ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese divided, grated
- 1 Egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 cup Marinara sauce
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded
- Basil fresh for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, ½ cup parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Mix everything together until just combined. I feel like using your hands to mix works best!
- Add marinara to a large skilelt and heat it over low heat as you roll out the meatballs.
- Use a cookie scoop to portion out meatballs, to make them round you can roll them between your hands.
- Drop the meatballs into the simmering marinara sauce and cover with a lid. Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes flipping the meatballs halfway through and cook until the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 165°F.
- Preheat the broiler, then sprinkle the remaining parmesan all over the meatballs followed by all the mozzarella. Place under the broiler for 3-5 minutes or until the top is bubbling and browned. Garnish with fresh basil and enjoy!
I love making these for dinner! I love how versatile they are. We've eaten them plain, on a sub sandwich, and on top of pasta so they're perfect for a family dinner where everyone can pick they're own way to eat them!