Baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs: A Flavorful and Easy Family Favorite
Say goodbye to boring weeknight dinners and hello to a delicious, exciting twist on a beloved Italian-American classic! These Chicken Parmesan Meatballs offer all the robust flavors of traditional chicken parm in a convenient, baked meatball format. Each tender, perfectly seasoned chicken meatball is simmered in rich marinara sauce, topped with gooey melted mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan, delivering a comforting meal that’s both simple to prepare and incredibly satisfying. Get ready to transform your dinner table with this innovative recipe!
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Chicken Parmesan Meatball Recipe
This recipe for Chicken Parmesan Meatballs isn’t just another dinner idea; it’s a culinary revelation that came about through a happy accident and has since become a staple in our kitchen. Originally, I planned to make chicken sandwiches with ground chicken, but a quick check of the pantry revealed I was out of buns. Rather than despair, I pivoted to meatballs, added some marinara and cheese, and voilà! A new family favorite was born. The beauty of these meatballs lies in their simplicity and incredible versatility.
Here’s why these delightful baked chicken meatballs will quickly earn a permanent spot in your recipe collection:
- Effortless Preparation: Skip the breading and frying of traditional chicken cutlets. These meatballs are mixed in one bowl and baked, saving you time and a lot of mess.
- Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing: Who doesn’t love meatballs? Paired with familiar flavors of marinara and cheese, this dish is a guaranteed hit with eaters of all ages.
- Versatile Serving Options: From classic pasta to hearty subs or a low-carb meal with zucchini noodles, these meatballs adapt to almost any side dish.
- Make-Ahead & Freezer Friendly: Perfect for meal prep, you can make a big batch and freeze them for busy weeknights, ensuring a delicious homemade meal is always within reach.
- Full of Flavor: Packed with Italian seasonings, two types of cheese, and tender ground chicken, every bite bursts with the savory taste of Chicken Parmesan.
As Beth, one of our happy testers, shared, “These were excellent! So tender and flavorful! Will definitely make again!” We’re confident you’ll agree!
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Parm Meatballs
We know you might have a few questions before diving into this recipe, so we’ve compiled answers to the most common queries to ensure your success in the kitchen.
I typically use a 9×9-inch baking dish, which comfortably fits the meatballs for this recipe. However, if you don’t have one, a 9×13-inch or even an 11×7-inch dish will work perfectly fine. The key is to ensure the meatballs are in a single layer or slightly crowded for even baking and saucing.
Absolutely! While ground chicken is fantastic for its lean profile and tender texture, this meatball recipe is incredibly flexible. Ground turkey is an excellent substitute, offering a similar mild flavor and texture. You could even experiment with a lean ground pork or a mix of ground beef and pork for a richer taste, adjusting the baking time slightly as needed.
The possibilities are endless! For a classic Italian-American experience, serve them over your favorite pasta – spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni are all great choices. A fresh green salad or a side of garlic bread complements the dish beautifully. For something different, consider turning them into amazing meatball subs on toasted hoagie rolls or serving them with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter, low-carb option.
You absolutely can! Doubling the recipe is a fantastic idea, especially if you’re feeding a crowd or want to freeze some portions for later. Just be aware that you might need to use a larger baking dish, like a 9×13-inch, or divide the meatballs into two separate dishes to ensure they bake evenly and have enough room to get nicely coated in sauce and cheese. Always ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F.
If you’re a fan of extra sauce, you’re in good company! Feel free to increase the marinara sauce from a standard 24-ounce jar to a larger 32-ounce jar. This will ensure every meatball is swimming in a generous amount of delicious sauce, perfect for soaking up with pasta or bread. For an extra special touch, you can even make your marinara sauce from scratch!
These chicken parmesan meatballs are fantastic for leftovers! Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they’ll remain fresh and delicious for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze both pre-cooked and cooked meatballs. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months, making them an excellent choice for convenient future meals.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Crafting these delectable chicken parmesan meatballs requires a selection of fresh and pantry-friendly ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some tips for choosing the best quality:
- Ground Chicken: The star of our meatballs! Opt for lean ground chicken for a healthier alternative, though any ground chicken will do. As mentioned, ground turkey is an excellent substitution if you prefer.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: This is key for that classic melty, cheesy finish. If you can find Kraft Creamy Melt Shredded Mozzarella with cream cheese, I highly recommend it – it melts beautifully and adds an extra layer of richness. Freshly shredded mozzarella also melts wonderfully.
- Shredded Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty depth of flavor that complements the mozzarella. You can use pre-shredded or grate your own for the best taste. Grated Parmesan cheese works just as well.
- Italian Breadcrumbs: These seasoned breadcrumbs contribute flavor and act as a binder, helping the meatballs hold their shape. If you only have plain breadcrumbs, you can use them and add a pinch more Italian seasoning.
- Milk: A touch of milk helps to keep the meatballs moist and tender. Any type of milk (dairy or non-dairy) will work.
- Egg: Acts as a crucial binder, preventing the meatballs from falling apart during baking.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of classic Italian herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary that infuses the meatballs with authentic flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Provides a foundational aromatic note, giving the meatballs a savory kick.
- Onion Powder: Adds a subtle, sweet onion flavor without the texture of fresh onions.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for enhancing all the other flavors in the meatballs. Adjust to your taste.
- Marinara Sauce: The backbone of this dish. I’m a big fan of Rao’s jarred marinara for its quality, but honestly, use whatever brand you enjoy or can find on sale! For those feeling ambitious, I even have an easy Homemade Marinara Sauce recipe that’s absolutely worth trying.
- Dried Parsley (optional garnish): Adds a pop of color and a fresh herbal note at the end.
How to Make Delicious Baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Making these chicken parmesan meatballs is a straightforward process that yields incredibly flavorful results. Follow these simple steps for a perfect meal every time:
- Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures your meatballs begin baking at the right temperature for even cooking.
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, all the shredded Parmesan cheese, Italian breadcrumbs, milk, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Use a spoon or, even better, clean hands to gently mix the ingredients until they are just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough. Set the mixture aside briefly.
- Layer the Sauce: Pour half of the 24-ounce jar of marinara sauce into a 2.5-quart (or 9×9-inch) baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom. This layer will provide a flavorful base for the meatballs to cook in.
- Form and Arrange Meatballs: Using approximately 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture for each, roll out 18 evenly sized meatballs. Carefully place them into the baking dish on top of the marinara sauce, arranging them in a single layer if possible.
- Initial Bake: Bake the meatballs uncovered in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. This initial baking helps to firm them up and develop some flavor before adding more sauce and cheese.
- Add More Sauce and Cheese: After 15 minutes, remove the baking dish from the oven. Spoon the remainder of the marinara sauce over the meatballs, ensuring they are well-coated. Then, generously sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the meatballs and sauce.
- Final Bake: Return the dish to the oven and continue to bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly, and the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches a safe 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, carefully remove the dish from the oven. For an extra touch of freshness and color, sprinkle with dried parsley (this step is optional but highly recommended!). Let it rest for a few minutes before serving hot with your preferred sides.
Recipe Card: Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Ground chicken meatballs flavored with all the essence of chicken Parmesan, baked in rich marinara sauce and topped with melted cheese.
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided use)
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (can use grated)
- ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- ⅛ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 24 ounce jar marinara sauce (divided use)
- 1 Tablespoon dried parsley (garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400° F (200°C).
- To a large bowl, add 1 pound ground chicken, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs, 1/8 cup milk, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix with a spoon or clean hands until just combined. Set aside.
- To a 2.5 quart (or 9×9-inch) baking dish, add half of the jar of marinara sauce, spreading it evenly.
- Form 18 meatballs from the mixture, each about 2 tablespoons in size, and arrange them in the baking dish.
- Bake uncovered for 15 minutes.
- Top the meatballs with the remainder of the marinara sauce and the remaining 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 165° F (74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and top with 1 Tablespoon dried parsley (optional) before serving.
Notes
- Refer to the FAQ’s and ingredient list above for substitution ideas and answers to common questions.
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Craving More Delicious Recipes?
If you loved these Chicken Parmesan Meatballs, you’re in for a treat! We have a wide array of comforting and easy recipes that will inspire your next meal. Explore more ways to enjoy chicken and classic Italian flavors:
- Chicken Piccata Meatballs
- Homemade Chicken Parmesan
- Classic Chicken Meatballs
- Meatball Sub Casserole
- Baked Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Chicken Parmesan Cups
- Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan
- Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan
- Chicken Parmesan Texas Toast Pizzas
- Parmesan Crusted Chicken
- Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken Copycat
We hope you enjoy making and sharing these irresistible Baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs. They’re a testament to how simple ingredients and a little creativity can result in a truly memorable dish. Happy cooking!