If you love the classic flavors of Chicken Parmesan but want to switch things up with a fun and easy twist, then these Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are about to become your new favorite! Imagine the same mouthwatering combination of crispy chicken, melty cheese, and savory marinara sauce, all rolled up into perfectly bite-sized meatballs. The best part? They’re totally adaptable for a quick dinner, meal prep, or even a party appetizer. Trust me, you’re going to want to make these—your taste buds will thank you!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Why You’ll Love Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
All the Classic Flavors: These meatballs have everything you love about Chicken Parmesan, from the crispy exterior to the gooey, cheesy center. And who can resist that rich marinara sauce? It’s the ultimate comfort food, in a new and easy-to-eat form.
Quick and Easy: No need to spend hours in the kitchen. These meatballs come together in just a few simple steps, making them perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re serving them for dinner or as an appetizer at a party, these meatballs are always a hit! Everyone loves the familiar flavors of Chicken Parmesan, and the meatball form makes them easy to enjoy.
Kid-Friendly: If you’ve got little ones, these are a fantastic way to serve a familiar favorite in a fun, bite-sized version. They’re a guaranteed win with picky eaters!
Versatile: Enjoy these meatballs on their own, in a sandwich, or over pasta. The possibilities are endless!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these cheesy, savory Chicken Parmesan Meatballs:
Ground Chicken: The base of these meatballs, providing a lean and tasty protein.
Breadcrumbs: These add the perfect texture to the meatballs, helping them hold together and stay tender.
Parmesan Cheese: A generous amount of Parmesan adds a nutty, savory flavor that brings the dish to life.
Mozzarella Cheese: For that delicious, gooey cheese pull when you bite into these meatballs.
Egg: Helps bind everything together and keeps the meatballs moist.
Garlic Powder: A hint of garlic brings a warm, aromatic flavor to the meatballs.
Italian Seasoning: The perfect seasoning mix to bring out all those savory, herby flavors.
Salt and Pepper: To taste, for that extra bit of seasoning.
Marinara Sauce: For serving, because no Chicken Parmesan dish is complete without that rich, tangy sauce.
(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is well combined. Be careful not to overmix—this can make the meatballs tough.
Shape the Meatballs: Using your hands, form the mixture into meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they’re spaced evenly.
Bake the Meatballs: Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and cooked through. You can check for doneness by cutting one open to make sure it’s no longer pink in the center.
Top with Marinara and Cheese: Once the meatballs are cooked, spoon some marinara sauce over each meatball and top with a small amount of mozzarella cheese. Bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the Chicken Parmesan Meatballs with extra marinara sauce on the side, and garnish with fresh basil or extra Parmesan, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Calories per serving: 320
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
How to Serve Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Over Pasta: Classic Chicken Parmesan served over a bed of spaghetti or your favorite pasta is always a winner. It’s a satisfying and hearty meal!
In a Sandwich: Stuff these meatballs into a hoagie roll, drizzle with marinara, and top with extra cheese for a delicious Chicken Parmesan sub.
As an Appetizer: Serve these meatballs as an appetizer at your next party with a side of extra marinara sauce for dipping.
On Their Own: Sometimes, you just want a simple, comforting meal. Enjoy these meatballs on their own, with a side of salad or roasted vegetables.
Additional Tips
Make Ahead: You can prep these meatballs in advance by forming them and refrigerating them until you’re ready to cook. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to a day.
Freezing: To freeze, bake the meatballs as directed and then let them cool completely. Once cooled, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat them in the oven or microwave.
Try Different Cheeses: While mozzarella and Parmesan are the classic choices, feel free to experiment with other cheeses like provolone or fontina for added flavor.
Season to Taste: If you like a little heat, add some red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture for a spicy kick.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
A1: Yes! Ground turkey will work well in this recipe. It may be a bit leaner, but it will still yield delicious meatballs.
Q2: Can I make these meatballs gluten-free?
A2: Absolutely! Use gluten-free breadcrumbs in place of regular ones to make these meatballs gluten-free.
Q3: Can I freeze the uncooked meatballs?
A3: Yes! You can freeze the uncooked meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet in a single layer, freeze them for a few hours, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag for storage. When you’re ready to cook, just bake them straight from frozen.
Q4: Can I add more vegetables to the meatballs?
A4: Sure! You can finely chop vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers and mix them into the meatball mixture for added nutrition and flavor.
Q5: How can I make the meatballs spicier?
A5: If you want a spicier kick, add some red pepper flakes or a bit of hot sauce to the meatball mixture. You can also use a spicy marinara sauce for an extra burst of heat.
Q6: Can I make this dish ahead of time?
A6: Yes! You can prepare the meatballs ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking them.
Q7: How do I know when the meatballs are done?
A7: The meatballs should be golden brown on the outside and cooked through in the center. You can check by cutting one open—it should be opaque with no pink inside.
Q8: Can I use homemade marinara sauce?
A8: Absolutely! Homemade marinara sauce adds an extra layer of flavor. Just be sure to heat it up before spooning it over the meatballs.
Q9: Can I use pre-cooked meatballs?
A9: While homemade is always best, you can use pre-cooked meatballs if you’re in a pinch. Just heat them through, top with marinara and cheese, and bake to melt the cheese.
Q10: Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?
A10: Yes, you can! Simply brown the meatballs in a skillet, then transfer them to a slow cooker with marinara sauce. Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2-3 hours until the meatballs are cooked through.
Conclusion
These Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are everything you love about the classic Chicken Parmesan, but with a fun, bite-sized twist. Whether you’re serving them for dinner or as an appetizer, they’re sure to be a hit. They’re quick, easy, and packed with delicious flavors that will keep everyone coming back for more! Enjoy!
Print
Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
These Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are seared to perfection, then smothered in marinara sauce and melted mozzarella for a comforting, high-protein dinner. Baked until golden and cheesy, they’re perfect for serving over pasta, in subs, or on their own!
Ingredients
-
1 pound ground chicken
-
1 large egg
-
1/3 cup panko crumbs
-
2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
-
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
-
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
-
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
-
1/2 teaspoon salt
-
Pepper, to taste
-
2 tablespoons olive oil
-
1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
-
2 cups shredded mozzarella
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 375°F. Place the oven rack in the top section. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
-
In a large bowl, mix ground chicken, egg, panko, half of the Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well and form into 1-inch meatballs. If the mixture is sticky, lightly coat your hands with olive oil.
-
Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Fry meatballs in batches until browned on all sides (about 5 minutes). Transfer to a plate.
-
Remove the skillet from heat and loosen any browned bits. Drain excess oil, but keep the browned bits for flavor.
-
Pour marinara sauce into the skillet, add the meatballs, and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan and mozzarella.
-
Bake for 15 minutes or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
-
(Optional) Broil for 2 minutes to brown the cheese. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
-
Serve over spaghetti, zucchini noodles, or in hoagie rolls for meatball subs.
-
For extra crispiness, lightly coat the meatballs in flour before searing.
-
Use ground turkey instead of chicken if preferred.
-
Add red pepper flakes for a little spice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 meatballs
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg