Description
These easy baked chicken meatballs are a healthy, flavorful alternative to traditional beef meatballs, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep. Made with ground chicken, parmesan cheese, and a blend of herbs and spices, they bake to tender perfection with a slight crisp on the outside.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
- 3/4 cup plain bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a 9×13-inch pan or an 11×17-inch baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, plain bread crumbs, freshly grated parmesan cheese, minced garlic, dried basil, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir these together evenly to distribute the seasonings.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the milk, Worcestershire sauce, extra virgin olive oil, and crack in the egg. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended and the mixture is uniform for the best texture.
- Shape Meatballs: Using your hands or a spoon, shape the mixture into balls approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Make sure all meatballs are roughly the same size to ensure even cooking.
- Bake Meatballs: Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet or pan and bake them in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. For meatballs with a crispier exterior, extend baking by an additional 10 to 15 minutes.
Notes
- Ensure meatballs are uniform in size to cook evenly.
- Use a meat thermometer to verify the internal temperature is 165°F for food safety.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute bread crumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- These meatballs can be served with pasta, salad, or as appetizers with dipping sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked chicken meatballs, easy chicken meatballs, healthy meatballs, baked meatballs recipe, chicken dinner
