Description
These Baked Italian Chicken Meatballs are a healthy, juicy, and tender twist on classic Italian flavors. Made with lean ground chicken, aromatic herbs, Parmesan cheese, and baked to perfection, they offer a flavorful, kid-friendly dish that’s versatile and easy to prepare, perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground chicken
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour/gluten-free panko for gluten-free option)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare a Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, Italian seasoning, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, minced garlic and onion, egg, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly but gently, being careful not to overwork the meat to keep the meatballs tender.
- Shape the Meatballs: Using a tablespoon or your hands, form uniform meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter to ensure even baking and moistness.
- Add Olive Oil and Arrange Meatballs: Lightly drizzle or brush olive oil over the meatballs for a golden crust while baking. Place the meatballs evenly spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow heat circulation.
- Bake: Bake the meatballs for 18-20 minutes until cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), and golden on the outside.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove from the oven and let the meatballs rest briefly. Serve with marinara sauce, pasta, or your favorite side dish.
Notes
- Use cold ingredients to keep the chicken mixture easier to handle and improve texture.
- Do not overmix the meat mixture to avoid tough meatballs.
- Use a cookie scoop or measuring spoon to make uniformly sized meatballs.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure meatballs are cooked but not dry.
- Allow meatballs to rest a few minutes after baking to redistribute juices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs (approx. 150g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: baked chicken meatballs, Italian chicken meatballs, healthy meatballs, gluten free meatballs, lean chicken recipe, easy dinner, meal prep meatballs