Description
These Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are a delicious and easy-to-make dinner option that combine tender ground chicken with classic Italian flavors. Baked to perfection and simmered in rich marinara sauce, then topped with melted mozzarella, this recipe delivers comforting and flavorful meatballs perfect for a weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce & Topping
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure a hot environment for baking the meatballs evenly.
- Mix the meatball ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, egg, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined but do not overwork the meat.
- Form the meatballs: Shape the mixture into approximately 1-inch sized meatballs, making sure they are compact and uniform for even cooking.
- Prepare for baking: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the meatballs evenly spaced on it to prevent sticking and promote even heat distribution.
- Bake the meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until they are fully cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Heat the marinara sauce: While the meatballs are baking, warm the marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Simmer meatballs in sauce: Once baked, add the meatballs to the marinara sauce and simmer together for 5 minutes to infuse flavor and keep them moist.
- Add the mozzarella cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the sauced meatballs, then cover the pan and allow the cheese to melt, creating a gooey, cheesy topping.
- Serve: Serve the chicken parmesan meatballs warm as a main course, pairing well with pasta, salad, or crusty bread.
Notes
- Ensure not to overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender and juicy.
- You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey for a slightly different flavor.
- Use fresh parsley for brighter flavor, or dried parsley if fresh is unavailable.
- To make ahead, prepare meatballs and refrigerate before baking, then bake when ready.
- Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
