Italian Chicken Meatballs
Juicy, tender, and bursting with classic Italian flavors, these Italian Chicken Meatballs are a lighter twist on a comfort-food favorite. Made with ground chicken, Parmesan cheese, fragrant Italian seasoning, and fresh parsley, these meatballs are perfectly seasoned and seared for a golden, flavorful crust before being baked to perfection. Simmered gently in a rich marinara sauce, they soak in every ounce of flavor, creating a dish that’s hearty yet wholesome. With a quick prep and cook time of just 35 minutes, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights or a cozy family dinner. Serve them over a bed of pasta, paired with crusty bread, or as an appetizer for a crowd-pleasing treat. Whether you're meal prepping or hosting, these Italian Chicken Meatballs are a guaranteed hit!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 unit large egg
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until evenly combined but do not overmix.
Using your hands or a small scoop, form the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, sear the meatballs in batches, turning them occasionally, until they are golden brown on all sides. This step ensures a flavorful crust but does not cook them through.
Transfer the seared meatballs back to the baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 165°F (74°C).
While the meatballs are baking, warm the marinara sauce in a large saucepan over low heat.
Once the meatballs are fully cooked, carefully add them to the saucepan with the marinara sauce. Gently toss to coat the meatballs in the sauce and let them simmer for about 5 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Serve the Italian chicken meatballs hot, garnished with additional parsley if desired, alongside pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
352 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 21.2 g | 27% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.2 g | 26% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 149 mg | 50% | |
| Sodium | 716 mg | 31% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 14.9 g | 5% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.7 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.6 g | ||
| Protein | 24.8 g | 50% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 100 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 2.2 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 300 mg | 6% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
