Description
Succulent chicken parm meatballs blend Italian-American comfort with irresistible cheesy goodness. Melted mozzarella and zesty marinara sauce create a delightful twist on classic chicken parmesan that will satisfy your craving for hearty, flavor-packed comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Binders:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Sauce and Topping:
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, grated parmesan, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, eggs, oregano, salt, and pepper. Gently mix ingredients until thoroughly integrated without overmixing.
- Shape the mixture into uniform meatballs, approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
- Preheat oven to 400°F and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased.
- Arrange meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining slight separation between each ball to promote even browning.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through, until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F and display a golden-brown exterior.
- Remove meatballs from oven and carefully pour marinara sauce over them, ensuring each meatball is generously coated.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese atop the sauced meatballs, creating a rich, melted layer.
- Return to oven for an additional 3-5 minutes, allowing cheese to melt completely and become slightly bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves just before serving, adding a vibrant, aromatic finish to the dish.
- Serve hot, optionally alongside pasta or crusty bread to complement the savory meatballs.
Notes
- Use high-quality ground chicken with moderate fat content to ensure juicy, tender meatballs that won’t dry out during baking.
- Avoid overmixing the meat mixture to prevent dense, tough meatballs by gently combining ingredients just until they’re evenly incorporated.
- For gluten-free adaptation, swap traditional breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to maintain the meatballs’ texture and binding properties.
- Keep meatballs uniformly sized using a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon measure to guarantee consistent cooking and professional-looking presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-23 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg