With ground chicken, parmesan cheese, seasoned breadcrumbs, and fresh parsley, these Italian Chicken Meatballs are a scrumptious way to stretch your budget.
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While my husband's Authentic Italian Meatball Recipe is our go-to, this Italian Chicken Meatball recipe are a close second. In fact, these are very similar to our pork and beef meatballs as they also use parmesan, breadcrumbs, and Italian herbs and spices. Both recipes not pan-fried in olive oil but baked so there's less fat.
These are the best chicken meatballs and make a healthy dinner the whole family will love! I almost always make a double batch since these are so easy to freeze (and thaw) and use for another meal later, like these easy chicken meatball subs.
❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Healthy chicken meatballs are a great alternative for ground beef.
- Makes a delicious family meal any night of the week.
- Freezer-friendly and great for once a week or once a month cooking.
🧂 Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make our easy Italian chicken meatballs:
- lean ground chicken
- seasoned breadcrumbs
- parmesan cheese
- milk
- onion
- fresh garlic
- parsley
- red pepper flakes
- egg
- kosher salt and black pepper
This is meant to be a brief overview of this Italian Chicken Meatball recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below or Jump to Recipe.
🔪 Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs and ground chicken with the rest of the ingredients.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, roll the meatball mixture into balls. (I like to use a 2-inch scoop but you can make them smaller if you prefer.)
- Place the uncooked meatballs onto a large rimmed baking sheet pan or baking dish.
- Add a little bit of water to the pan so that all of the meatballs are sitting in about ¼-inch of water (this keeps them from burning or sticking on the bottom.
- Bake until the meatballs are browned and cooked through.
🥄Equipment
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Here is what you will need to make this easy recipe:
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⭐ Tips
✔️ The easiest way to mix up the meatballs is to use clean hands. This is the way Nonna always did it!
✔️ Do not overwork the meatball mixture or it will become tough.
✔️ For really juicy chicken meatballs use a mixture of ground chicken that includes both white and dark meat. (Dark meat is considered to be more flavorful).
🍲 Storage
To Store: Cooked and cooled meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-6 days.
To Reheat: Place a saucepan with the meatballs and sauce on the stove. Cover and cook on low until heated through. Microwave individual portions.
To Freeze: Line a clean baking sheet with parchment paper. Once the cooked meatballs are cooled, transfer them to the prepared baking sheet so that they are not touching. Flash freeze for 1 hour.
Then, place the frozen meatballs into a freezer bag. Be sure to seal tightly and label. Meatballs will last 3-4 months.
To Thaw: Place frozen meatballs into the fridge and allow to thaw overnight.
Alternatively, frozen meatballs can be added to a crockpot with tomato sauce and will thaw in a couple of hours.
📖 Variations
The first time you try any new recipe we recommend that you make it just as it is written on the recipe card since that is how the recipe has been tested. However, the next time you make our easy Italian chicken meatballs, you might want to try one of these ideas:
- Substitute fresh herbs for some or all of the dried herbs.
- Use a 50/50 mixture of ground chicken and ground pork or use ground turkey.
- Omit the fresh onion and garlic cloves and use 1 tablespoon onion powder and 1 tablespoon garlic powder.
Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a low carb recipe without gluten.
For extra flavor, use 1 tablespoon of homemade Italian seasoning mix or homemade spaghetti seasoning.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
For an amazing Italian meal, serve these Italian baked chicken meatballs with your favorite pasta, parmesan risotto, or baked spaghetti squash and marinara sauce. I love to serve mozzarella cheese stuffed garlic and herb bombs on the side!
These ground chicken meatballs make a great side dish for leftover spaghetti.
Looking for something a little different? Make a quick gravy and serve them over rice or mashed potatoes and garlic green beans.
For a great low-carb meal, substitute gluten-free bread crumbs and serve with tomato sauce and zucchini noodles.
These delicious chicken meatballs can also be used to make meatball cupcakes, Italian meatball subs, and meatball sliders.
👉 Find more recipes using meatballs.
😋 Similar Recipes
Next time, try one of these delicious recipes:
- Authentic Italian Meatballs - a mixture of ground beef and pork, just like Nonna used to make!
- Crockpot Jelly Meatballs - perfect for potlucks and parties, these little meatballs make a great appetizer.
- Keto Chicken Meatballs - gluten-free and keto-friendly chicken meatballs have a spicy kick!
Related: Mini Meatballs & Basil Tomato Sauce
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Italian Chicken Meatball Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground chicken
- 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- ¼ cup grated onion
- 2 cloves fresh garlic
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- pinch red pepper flakes
- kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400-degrees F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine bread crumbs and ground chicken with the rest of the ingredients.1 lb lean ground chicken, 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs, ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons milk, 1 large egg, ¼ cup grated onion, 2 cloves fresh garlic, 1 tablespoon dried parsley, pinch red pepper flakes, kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, roll the meatball mixture into balls. (I like to use a 2-inch scoop but you can make them smaller if you prefer.)
- Place the uncooked meatballs onto a large rimmed baking sheet pan.
- Add a little bit of water to the pan so that all of the meatballs are sitting in about ¼-inch of water (this keeps them from burning or sticking on the bottom.
- Bake at 400-degrees F for about 12 minutes until the meatballs are browned and cooked through. (Time will vary based on the size of the meatballs).
For best results, be sure to check our Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help your delicious recipe come out perfectly.
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