Chicken Meatballs – These juicy baked chicken meatballs are packed with flavor and perfect for any meal. Made with lean ground chicken, fresh herbs, and a blend of spices, they’re tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. Served with pasta, in a sandwich for a quick and healthy dish.
Why You’ll Love These Baked Chicken Meatballs
- Quick and Easy: The preparation time is minimal, and baking them takes very little hands-on effort.
- Healthier: By using ground chicken, you’re opting for a leaner protein, which makes these meatballs lower in fat but still bursting with flavor.
- Customizable: You can tweak the ingredients to your preference, making them gluten-free, dairy-free, or spice them up to your liking.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: These meatballs store well in the fridge or freezer, making them a great choice for busy weeks.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Baked Chicken Meatballs
- Don’t Overmix: It’s crucial to gently combine the ingredients. Overworking the meatball mixture can result in tough meatballs.
- Use Lean Ground Chicken: For the best results, opt for lean ground chicken for a healthier, yet still juicy, outcome. If you use extra lean chicken, you might want to add a little extra moisture, like a tablespoon of olive oil, to keep them from drying out.
- Check Internal Temperature: To ensure that the meatballs are fully cooked, check their internal temperature using a meat thermometer. It should read 165°F (74°C).
- Experiment with Seasonings: This recipe is a great base to play around with. Feel free to experiment with different herbs, spices, or even a bit of grated cheese or hot sauce for extra flavor.
Variations on Baked Chicken Meatballs
These baked chicken meatballs can be easily adapted to fit your dietary preferences. Here are a few ideas:
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or oat flour as a substitute to keep the meatballs gluten-free.
- Dairy-Free: Skip the parmesan cheese and opt for a dairy-free alternative, or simply add more herbs for flavor.
- Spicy Chicken Meatballs: Add more red pepper flakes, or try incorporating finely chopped jalapeños for a bit of heat.
- Italian Chicken Meatballs: Incorporate some basil, garlic, and marinara sauce to make an Italian-inspired meatball. Serve with a side of pasta or zoodles (zucchini noodles).
- Curry Chicken Meatballs: Add curry powder, turmeric, or garam masala to the mix for an exotic twist. Pair them with a side of basmati rice and a cucumber salad.
How to Serve Baked Chicken Meatballs
Baked chicken meatballs can be served in countless ways. Here are some ideas:
- With Marinara Sauce: Serve these baked chicken meatballs with a side of marinara sauce for dipping or toss them in the sauce for a more flavorful dish. Pair them with spaghetti or zucchini noodles for a low-carb dinner.
- In a Salad: Serve them over a bed of leafy greens, or in a grain bowl with quinoa or brown rice for a hearty meal.
- As a Snack: These make for a perfect appetizer, served with your favorite dipping sauce like honey mustard, ranch, or BBQ sauce.
- With Veggies: Pair them with roasted vegetables for a healthy, balanced meal.
How to Store Baked Chicken Meatballs
If you’re not planning to eat all of the meatballs at once, don’t worry. Baked chicken meatballs are great for meal prep and can be stored in several ways.
- In the Fridge: Store leftover baked chicken meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat.
- In the Freezer: You can freeze baked chicken meatballs for up to 3 months. Let them cool completely before placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. To reheat, bake them from frozen in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes or until heated through.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground chicken?
Yes, ground turkey is a great substitute for chicken. Both are lean meats, so you’ll get a similar result. Just make sure to adjust the seasoning if needed.
Why are my chicken meatballs dry?
If your meatballs turn out dry, it could be because the chicken was too lean or you overcooked them. Adding a bit of olive oil to the mix or using chicken with a slightly higher fat content can help retain moisture.
Can I bake the meatballs in a muffin tin?
Absolutely! A muffin tin is a great option to keep the meatballs uniform in shape. Just be sure to adjust the baking time slightly, as they might cook faster in a tin.
How do I prevent the meatballs from sticking to the baking sheet?
Make sure to line your baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil. This will prevent the meatballs from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Chicken Meatballs
Chicken Meatballs - These juicy baked chicken meatballs are packed with flavor and perfect for any meal. Made with lean ground chicken, fresh herbs, and a blend of spices, they're tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 2 lbs ground chicken (94% lean)
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
For the Lemon Garlic Herb Butter Sauce:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh oregano, chopped
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set to 400°F (204°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with nonstick spray.
- Make the Meatballs: In a bowl, mix ground chicken, egg, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic, salt, pepper, onion powder, oregano, and parsley
- Shape and Bake: Roll the mixture into 35 meatballs, about 2 tbsp each, and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt butter with lemon juice over medium heat. Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute (don’t let the garlic brown). Remove from heat and add fresh parsley, thyme, oregano, and salt.
- Serve: Brush the meatballs with the lemon garlic herb butter sauce, or spoon it over them. Optionally, sprinkle with red pepper flakes. Serve with pasta, zucchini noodles, or as a stand-alone appetizer.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 35 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 89Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 137mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 7g
Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
Baked chicken meatballs are a simple, healthy, and delicious meal that everyone in your family will love. From meal prep to weeknight dinners, these meatballs are versatile, flavorful, and can easily be customized to suit any dietary needs. Whether you serve them with pasta, in a salad, or just as a snack, they’re bound to be a hit! Enjoy experimenting with the variations and making this recipe your own.
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