Description
Juicy chicken meatballs with a crispy parmesan crust, stuffed with gooey mozzarella, and smothered in rich marinara sauce. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs or panko
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- Optional garnish: extra parsley and grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
- Using a small spoon or cookie scoop, portion out the meatball mixture and form into balls about 1 ½ inches wide.
- Take a cube of mozzarella cheese and press it into the center of each meatball, sealing the meat around it completely.
- Place the stuffed meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each.
- Brush the tops lightly with olive oil to promote browning.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are golden and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).
- While the meatballs bake, warm the marinara sauce in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Once the meatballs are done, transfer them to the saucepan and gently coat in the marinara sauce.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra parsley and grated Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Wet your hands slightly while shaping the meatballs to prevent sticking. Double the recipe for freezing extras. Use fresh parsley and garlic for the best flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 4 meat
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 720
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: Chicken Parmesan Meatballs, Italian Meatballs, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner Recipe, Weeknight Meal