Description
These Baked Chicken Meatballs are a quick, healthy, and flavorful dinner option featuring lean ground chicken and simple pantry staples. Juicy and tender with mild seasonings, they bake to golden perfection in under 30 minutes, making them perfect for family meals or meal prep. Easily customizable and kid-friendly, they can be paired with a variety of sauces and sides for versatile dining.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken (93% lean or higher)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour/gluten-free breadcrumbs for gluten-free version)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional or substitute with dairy-free alternative)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)
Instructions
- Prepare the Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Gently mix everything until just combined, taking care not to overwork the meat to keep the texture tender.
- Shape the Meatballs: Form meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter using your hands or a cookie scoop. Place each meatball on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased to prevent sticking.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly brush or spray the meatballs with olive oil to promote browning. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the meatballs rest for a couple of minutes after baking to retain juiciness before serving.
Notes
- Use 93% lean or higher ground chicken for moist and healthy meatballs.
- Avoid overmixing the meat to prevent dense meatballs.
- Uniform size ensures even cooking—use a cookie scoop if available.
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure safety.
- Allow meatballs to rest briefly after baking to enhance juiciness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs (approx. 120g)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg