What happens when you take the best parts of chicken parmesan and roll them into a bite-sized, juicy meatball? Magic. ✨ These Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and smothered in marinara and melty mozzarella. They’re perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, party apps, or even kid-friendly sliders!
They come together quickly, bake up beautifully, and are packed with flavor thanks to a mix of Italian seasoning, garlic, and grated Parmesan. You can serve them over spaghetti, tuck them into hoagies, or just enjoy them as they are—straight from the pan. Trust me, you’ll want to double the batch!
What You’ll Need
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
For Baking & Finishing:
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce (jarred or homemade)
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Extra Parmesan, for topping
- Chopped basil or parsley, for garnish
Pro Tips for Juicy, Flavorful Meatballs
🧆 Don’t overmix the meat—mix until just combined for tender meatballs.
🧄 Fresh garlic > garlic powder—for bold, real-deal flavor.
🍽️ Broil at the end to get that bubbly, browned cheese top!
👧 Let the kids help roll the meatballs—great family kitchen activity.
🍝 Serve on pasta, in subs, or as-is—this dish is super versatile!
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowl
- Baking sheet or oven-safe skillet
- Parchment paper or cooking spray
- Spoon or scoop for meatballs
- Oven & broiler
- Spatula or tongs
Substitutions & Variations
🌾 Gluten-free? Use GF breadcrumbs or almond flour
🧀 Cheese twist – Try provolone or fontina instead of mozzarella
🌱 Dairy-free – Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan and skip the cheese topping
🔥 Spicy version – Add red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the mix
🥩 Try turkey or beef if you don’t have chicken on hand
Make-Ahead Tips
- Roll meatballs ahead of time and keep in fridge for up to 1 day
- Freeze raw or cooked meatballs for easy future dinners—just reheat and sauce!
- Sauce and cheese can be added just before baking to keep everything fresh
How to Make Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Step 1: Mix the Meatball Ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley (if using).
- Mix until just combined—don’t overwork it!
Step 2: Form and Bake the Meatballs
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet or oven-safe skillet with parchment or grease lightly.
- Form into 1½-inch meatballs and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, until cooked through and lightly golden.
Step 3: Add Sauce & Cheese
- Spoon marinara sauce over the meatballs and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella.
- Return to the oven for 5–7 more minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Optional: Broil for 2 minutes for a golden cheese top!
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle with extra Parmesan and chopped fresh basil or parsley.
- Serve hot on pasta, in hoagie rolls, or on their own!
Leftovers & Storage
- Store in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container
- Freeze meatballs (with or without sauce) for up to 2 months
- Reheat in the oven or microwave—add extra sauce to keep them juicy
Final Thoughts
These Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are everything you love about comfort food—tender, cheesy, saucy—and they’re easy enough to make any night of the week. Whether you’re serving them to guests, packing leftovers for lunch, or letting the kids build their own meatball subs, this one’s a family favorite for sure.
💬 Tried it? Leave a comment and tell me how you served yours! Did you sneak in veggies? Turn them into sliders? I’d love to hear your twist on this classic comfort dish. 🧆🍝💛
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