Crispy Chicken Parm Meatballs Recipe: A Family Favorite

Tender, juicy meatballs smothered in chicken parm goodness dance with flavor and comfort.

These delectable chicken parm meatballs bring classic Italian-American cuisine right to your dinner table.

Melted cheese cascades over perfectly seasoned ground chicken, creating a mouthwatering twist on traditional parmesan chicken.

Each bite promises a crispy exterior with a succulent interior that will make taste buds sing.

The combination of herbs, breadcrumbs, and parmesan cheese ensures these meatballs pack serious flavor.

Serve them over pasta or nestled in a warm submarine roll for a meal that satisfies serious comfort food cravings.

Why Chicken Parm Meatballs Are a New Favorite

• Unleash Flavor Explosion: These chicken Parmesan meatballs pack incredible Italian-inspired taste with classic ingredients like Parmesan, marinara, and mozzarella, delivering a mouthwatering twist on traditional meatballs.
• Master Easy Cooking Technique: Perfect for home cooks of all skill levels, this recipe requires simple mixing, shaping, and skillet cooking with minimal complex steps, making it accessible and foolproof for kitchen beginners.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dinner Solution: Guaranteed to satisfy both kids and adults, these cheesy meatballs offer a crowd-friendly meal that transforms ordinary chicken into an exciting dinner everyone will love, complete with melted cheese and savory sauce.
• Quick Weeknight Comfort: Minimal preparation and one-skillet cooking mean you can have a delicious homemade meal on the table fast, reducing kitchen stress and providing a comforting, restaurant-quality dish without extensive effort.

Chicken Parm Meatball Ingredients List

• Ground Chicken: Lean and flavorful base for meatballs.

• Breadcrumbs, Egg: Help hold meatballs together with a soft texture.

• Parmesan Cheese, Parsley, Garlic: Add rich, savory, and fresh notes to the meatballs.

• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings for balanced taste.

• Olive Oil: Helps brown meatballs with a golden crust.

• Marinara Sauce, Mozzarella Cheese: Provides classic Italian-style moisture and cheesy finish.

• Fresh Parsley, Additional Parmesan Cheese: Adds color and extra flavor boost.

Steps to Make Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Step 1: Create Flavor-Packed Meatball Mixture

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend together ground chicken, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, a cracked egg, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.

Use your hands to mix everything thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed, ensuring each meatball will be packed with mouthwatering flavor.

Step 2: Shape Perfectly Sized Morsels

Gently roll the meat mixture into uniform balls, each about the size of a golf ball.

This ensures even cooking and a consistent texture throughout.

Step 3: Sizzle and Brown the Meatballs

Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Carefully place the meatballs into the pan, allowing them to develop a golden-brown crust.

Rotate occasionally to ensure all sides are evenly cooked, which should take around 10 minutes.

Step 4: Simmer in Zesty Marinara

Pour marinara sauce over the browned meatballs, completely covering them.

Reduce heat, cover the skillet, and let the meatballs simmer gently for 10 minutes.

This allows the meat to cook through completely while absorbing the rich tomato flavors.

Step 5: Melt Cheesy Goodness

Sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella cheese over the saucy meatballs.

Cover the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the cheese transforms into a gooey, bubbling blanket.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Transfer the cheesy meatballs to a serving platter.

Finish with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and added flavor.

Serve immediately while hot and irresistibly melty.

Key Tips for Juicy Chicken Parm Meatballs

• Use a light touch when combining ingredients to keep the chicken meatballs tender and prevent tough, dense texture.
• Ensure uniform meatball size for consistent cooking, using a small ice cream scoop or measuring spoon for precision.
• Let mozzarella cheese rest for a minute after melting to create those irresistible cheesy pulls and prevent burning.
• Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed pork rinds for a keto-friendly version that maintains moisture and binding.
• Maintain medium heat to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning the delicate chicken meatballs.

How to Store and Warm Chicken Parm Meatballs

• Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place meatballs in a baking dish, cover with foil to retain moisture. Warm for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Transfer meatballs to a microwave-safe dish. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, to ensure even warming and prevent dryness.
• Wrap meatballs tightly in freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating for best texture and flavor.

What Goes Well with Chicken Parm Meatballs

• Pair Classic Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich marinara sauce and cuts through the cheese's richness.
• Serve with Garlic Bread: Create a crispy, buttery side that soaks up the delicious marinara sauce and provides a perfect textural contrast to the tender meatballs.
• Match with Fresh Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the hearty meatballs and add a fresh, zesty element to the meal.
• Complement with Crisp Pinot Grigio: For white wine lovers, this refreshing wine offers a clean, light flavor that won't overpower the meatballs' delicate chicken and herb profile.

Meatball Recipe Variations with Chicken Parm Flavors

• Gluten-Free Meatballs: Replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Swap breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds and use low-carb marinara sauce to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining flavor.
• Vegetarian Alternative
• Dairy-Free Option: Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese and replace mozzarella with dairy-free cheese alternatives made from nuts or soy for those with lactose intolerance.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?

Yes, ground turkey works perfectly as a substitute. The meatballs will have a similar texture and flavor profile.

• How can I prevent the meatballs from falling apart?

Mix ingredients thoroughly and avoid overmixing. Make sure to compact the meatballs gently but firmly when forming them to help them hold together during cooking.

• Is it okay to bake these meatballs instead of pan-frying?

Absolutely! Bake them at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, turning once halfway through. This method reduces oil and provides an even cooking result.

• Can I freeze these chicken Parmesan meatballs?

Yes, these meatballs freeze wonderfully. Store them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Plump Chicken Parm Meatballs Recipe

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• Total Time: 38 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory chicken parm meatballs blend Italian comfort with modern flair, bringing classic flavors into a playful handheld form. Melted mozzarella and marinara sauce create irresistible comfort perfect for weeknight dinners that will satisfy hungry souls.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground chicken

Cheese and Herbs:

• 1/4 cup (30 grams) Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup (56 grams) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup (15 grams) fresh parsley, chopped

Binding and Seasoning:

• 1/2 cup (60 grams) breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) marinara sauce
• Olive oil for frying

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Instructions

1. Gather all ingredients and prepare a clean workspace with necessary cooking tools for assembling succulent chicken parmesan meatballs.
2. Thoroughly blend ground chicken with breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, minced parsley, beaten egg, crushed garlic, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring uniform incorporation of ingredients.
3. Gently shape the seasoned mixture into uniform, compact spheres approximately one inch in diameter, handling the meat mixture with light, careful touches to maintain tenderness.
4. Warm olive oil in a generously sized skillet over medium heat, creating an ideal searing environment for the meatballs.
5. Carefully place meatballs into the heated skillet, rotating periodically to achieve a golden-brown exterior on all surfaces, cooking for approximately 10 minutes.
6. Cascade marinara sauce over the beautifully browned meatballs, reducing heat and covering the skillet to allow gentle simmering for 10 minutes, ensuring complete internal cooking.
7. Lavishly distribute mozzarella cheese across the sauced meatballs, covering the skillet to encourage melting for an additional 2-3 minutes until cheese transforms into a molten, bubbling layer.
8. Transfer the aromatic meatballs to serving plates, garnishing with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for a vibrant, appetizing presentation.

Notes

• Ensure ground chicken is cold for better binding and easier shaping of meatballs.
• Avoid overmixing the meat mixture to prevent tough, dense meatballs.
• Use a light touch when forming meatballs to keep them tender and juicy.
• Test internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe chicken consumption.
• Substitute gluten-free breadcrumbs for a celiac-friendly version.
• Add red pepper flakes for extra heat and flavor complexity.
• Prep meatballs ahead and refrigerate for more intense flavor development.
• Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier, more luxurious cheese topping.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 22-23 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg