This Baked Chicken Meatball recipe is everything you’d want in a meal: simple to make, delicious, and family-approved.
Baked Chicken Meatballs Are Better with Little Helpers
Rolling meatballs was one of the ways I got my youngest son involved in the kitchen. It’s an easy 10-minute task that kids can actually help with, and having an extra pair of hands means I can make a bigger batch without spending all evening rolling meatballs!
I love having enough for dinner and another meal later in the week. We can enjoy them with spaghetti one night and turn the leftovers into meatball subs another. Plus, the oven does the cooking while I help with homework and get everything else ready.
Ingredients
Ground chicken is the base of this recipe. Then, simply add breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, an egg, and seasonings to bring these delicious meatballs to life.
How to Make Chicken Meatballs
Easy peasy! Combine the ingredients in a bowl and roll them into golf-ball-sized balls by hand. Bake them at 400F on a lined baking sheet. After 20 to 25 minutes in the oven, they are ready to serve.
Laura’s Tips for Rolling Meatballs
I keep a bowl of water next to me when rolling the meatballs so I can wet my hands and keep the chicken mixture from sticking. Or, I’ll spread a few drops of oil in my palm, which also works.
I use about 2 tablespoons of mixture per meatball. You can make them a little bit larger or smaller, but keep them all the same size for even cooking. Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop is also an easy way to grab an even amount.
Store cooked chicken meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months. I like freezing them in portions so I can pull out just enough for another dinner. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven, microwave, or with marinara sauce until heated through.
Yes. Arrange the rolled meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag. You can bake them directly from frozen at 400°F, adding about 5 extra minutes to the total baking time, until the centers reach 165°F. Tip: Use a Sharpie to label the bag with oven temperature and baking time.
How to Use Them
Serve these chicken meatballs with spaghetti, over a bed of rice, or turn them into a classic meatball sub. They’re also delicious on their own with marinara sauce and a side salad.
Baked Chicken Meatballs (Simple Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Prep:
- Preheat the oven to 400F with the oven rack in the middle position. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Make the meatballs:
- In a large bowl, mix the ground chicken with breadcrumbs, egg, seasonings, and Parmesan cheese.
- Use your hands to roll the mixture into golf-sized balls (about 2 tablespoons per meatball). If the mixture feels sticky in your hands, wet them with water or oil. Place each rolled meatball on the prepared baking sheet, making sure there's room between each meatball.
Bake them:
- Bake the meatballs for 20 to 25 minutes, until the tops look golden brown and the middles are cooked through. To test if they're done, remove a meatball from the baking sheet and out of the oven, the internal temperature should read 165F.
Serve:
- Serve these meatballs with pasta, in subs, with marinara sauce, or on their own.
Storage:
- Refrigerate cooked meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or in the microwave on a reduced-power setting (defrost), then reheat until fully heated through.
- To freeze unbaked meatballs, arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze them for about 1 hour, until firm. Then, transfer the meatballs to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen at 400°F, adding about 5 extra minutes to the total baking time, until the centers reach 165°F.
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Kayla says
This chicken meatball recipe is a new family favorite!
Debbie says
These chicken meatballs turned out great!
Nicole says
it’s actually a simple recipe, and the chicken meatballs turned out amazing.
Patty says
My kids LOVED these meatballs! I double the batch so we can have leftovers for them to have another day