Here’s a simple and delicious chicken meatballs recipe that’s juicy, flavorful, and versatile—great for pasta, sandwiches, or just dipping.
Ingredients (Makes ~20 meatballs)
- 1 lb (450 g) ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for flavor)
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley or 1 tsp dried
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika or Italian seasoning (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for pan-frying, optional)
Instructions
1. Make the mixture
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, onion, parsley, salt, pepper, and seasonings.
- Mix until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep meatballs tender.
2. Shape the meatballs
- Form mixture into small balls (~1–1.5 inches).
3. Cook
- Pan-fry method:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Cook meatballs, turning occasionally, for 8–10 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Oven-bake method:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place meatballs on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake 15–20 minutes until cooked through.
4. Serve
- Toss with pasta and sauce, serve with dipping sauce, or enjoy on their own.
Tips for Extra Juicy Meatballs
- Add 1–2 tbsp milk or Greek yogurt to the mixture.
- Avoid making meatballs too big—smaller ones cook more evenly.
- If using a sauce, finish cooking meatballs in the sauce for extra flavor.
If you want, I can give a super-easy slow cooker chicken meatballs version where you literally dump everything in the pot, and they come out tender and flavorful—perfect for weeknight meals.
Do you want me to share that version?
