Easy-to-make, health-conscious meatballs.
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When most people think about meatballs, they usually assume that they’re made of beef. But that doesn’t always have to be the case. In fact, after I tried this recipe for the first time, I now prefer chicken meatballs. This recipe, in particular, couldn’t be any easier. There are just two steps: mix all the ingredients together and then put the balls of meat into the oven.
That simplicity makes this a great recipe to use for any occasion. It’s easy to make these meatballs if you want them to be a side dish for your favorite pasta. They also work great as part of a lunchtime meatball sub. You can even make these meatballs the main course. They are filled with breadcrumbs, various seasonings, and even a little Parmesan cheese, so the flavor profile is far greater than you might expect. That’s another reason why these chicken meatballs are perfect for any occasion.
Are Chicken Meatballs Healthy?
This recipe for chicken meatballs is among the healthiest meatball recipes you’ll find. For starters, the chicken is a good source of lean protein. Also, since you’re baking these in the oven rather than frying them, it reduces some of the fat and calories compared to other meatball recipes. For some diets, the amount of sodium and cholesterol might be a little high. However, the recipe has fewer than 300 calories while also providing a good dose of calcium and potassium.
Be Gentle…
With chicken meatballs, over-mixing can be a big concern. With that in mind, I suggest that you be gentle when combining all of the ingredients. You don’t want to be too rough or mix for too long or you risk the meatballs becoming dry and flavorless. Also, if you can, once everything has been mixed together, chill the meatball mixture for 30 minutes because it will help the meatballs keep their shape.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for greasing
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat
Prepare oven and baking sheet.
Mix
Combine ingredients and form meatballs.
Bake
Cook meatballs until done.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
These meatballs are great to make ahead of time. They can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. They can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Try adding a small amount of flour or cornstarch to help everything bind together and prevent the meatballs from falling apart.
First, be gentle when mixing and don’t pack the meatballs too tightly. Second, make sure you don’t bake the meatballs for too long.
Serving Suggestions
Personally, I love spaghetti and meatballs. But there are plenty of other side dishes I can recommend to accompany these chicken meatballs. They go quite well with Roasted Russet Potatoes, including Garlic Roasted Potatoes. If you want a little more vitamins and nutrients in the meal, I would recommend making Roasted Vegetables to accompany them. A bed of rice can also be a nice complement. This includes Ginger Rice and Rice Pilaf.
Of course, while I like these meatballs, there are several other meatball recipes worth trying based on your personal tastes and diet. For instance, I might recommend Whole30 Meatballs or even Whole30 Sweet and Sour Paleo Meatballs. I was also impressed the time I made Paleo Meatballs in the Instant Pot. If you prefer turkey meat over chicken, that’s fine too. I’m happy to share a recipe for Greek Turkey Meatballs with Feta and Orange Whole30 Turkey Paleo Meatballs.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a baking sheet with olive oil.
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, garlic, salt, pepper, onion powder, and oregano. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
- Form the mixture into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through and have an internal temperature of 165°F.
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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