Description
These flavorful Chicken Meatballs are a simple and delicious recipe featuring ground chicken mixed with Italian seasonings, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs. Perfectly baked to juicy perfection with a crispy outside, these meatballs make a great appetizer or main dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/8 cup green onions (chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 3 tablespoons parsley (chopped, divided)
For Cooking
- 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400° F to prepare for baking the meatballs evenly and thoroughly.
- Prepare baking sheets: Line one 13×18 baking sheet or two 9×13 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Mix base ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, Italian breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix gently with clean hands or a spoon until just combined to avoid tough meatballs.
- Add aromatics: Stir in the chopped green onions, minced garlic, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Mix until evenly distributed but do not overwork the mixture.
- Form meatballs: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out the meat mixture and shape into meatballs with clean hands. Place the formed meatballs evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet(s).
- Baste meatballs: Use a pastry brush to coat each meatball with approximately 1 ½ tablespoons of olive oil to encourage browning and moisture retention during baking.
- Bake the meatballs: Bake the meatballs for 20 minutes in the preheated oven. After 20 minutes, carefully flip each meatball and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165° F, ensuring they are fully cooked and safe to eat.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep the texture tender and moist.
- Use a meat thermometer to verify the internal temperature reaches 165° F for safety.
- These meatballs can be served with marinara sauce, pasta, or as a protein-packed snack.
- If preferred, you can freeze uncooked meatballs for later baking.
- Parchment paper helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
