These homemade Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are light and flavorful with a fresh basil taste. The cheese in the middle is a fun surprise and gives these meatballs their Parmesan name. An easy stuffed meatball recipe perfect for any season of the year!
There are still many days of summer left but I am already in back-to-school mode. I'm already thinking about new school clothes, upcoming hectic schedules and how the relaxed days of summer are almost behind us. Make it stop! Make summer stay forever!
As much as I wish that could happen, I know we have to move on to the next chapter so, I am trying to be as prepared as possible. In addition to the usual back to school stuff, I have been playing around with some easy, make-ahead recipes that will help this busy time of year go a little smoother. Having an easy dinner on the menu can make my day better.
The first time I made my tasty baked chicken parmesan meatballs, it was such a huge hit on the dinner table and everyone in the family has been asking me to make them again. We all love chicken and meatballs so this recipe was a new way to combine some of our favorite foods. These cheesy chicken parmesan meatballs are definitely going to be on my back to school dinner menu!
WHAT IS CHICKEN PARMESAN?
Chicken Parmesan is a classic Italian meal that is made using breaded chicken cutlets, tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. My family loves this traditional, chicken dinner but it takes a long time to make. Pounding the chicken cutlets, breading them, making the sauce and baking can take hours.
My baked chicken parmesan meatballs are a much faster way to get all the delicious flavor of chicken parmesan without spending hours in the kitchen. A lot of the ingredients are the same so anyone who loves classic chicken parmesan will adore these meatballs.
INGREDIENTS IN CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS
The ingredients needed to make my chicken parmesan meatballs are pretty straightforward. You may already have everything you need right in your pantry!
Here are the ingredients you need to make this super tasty, cheesy chicken parmesan meatballs:
ground chicken - I like to use lean ground chicken to keep the meatballs lower in fat. Look for ground chicken that is very light pink which indicates it is fresh.
bread crumbs - I always use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs. You can't go wrong with some extra flavor! Plain breadcrumbs will work as well since we will be adding lots of our own seasonings.
Parmesan cheese - I like to use the dry, crumbled parmesan cheese for this recipe. It lasts forever in the pantry and is nice and salty.
fresh chopped basil - If you still have basil growing in your garden, now is the time to use it! If you do not have fresh basil, dried basil will work in it's place
Italian seasoning, salt and pepper - These are the main seasonings in the meatballs. Using pre-blended Italian seasoning is a quick way to give the meatballs lots of flavor.
garlic - Good meatballs always have a lot of garlic. I'm sticking to that opinion!
egg - Eggs help bind the ground chicken and hold the ground chicken together.
jarred pasta sauce - Using jarred sauce keeps this recipe quick and easy. You can make your own sauce if you are feeling ambitious.
fresh Mozzarella balls - The secret cheese in the center of the meatball makes this diner restaurant-worthy!
Pretty simple ingredients, right? You can keep all of these things on hand, in your pantry, fridge or freezer. Whenever you need a quick dinner idea, pull the ground chicken out of the freezer, get the mozzarella out of your cheese drawer in the fridge and start cooking!
HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS
I tried to keep this meatball recipe as simple as possible. I wanted it to be easy enough to prep in ten minutes so you can get dinner ready then continue on with your busy day. Here is how I make my chicken parmesan meatballs:
1. Mix the ground chicken, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, basil, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, pepper, two tablespoons of pasta sauce and egg. Use your hands to really blend the ingredients together.
2. Scoop meatballs with a cookie scoop or just use your hands to grab a golf ball sized amount of ground meat mix.
3. Press a mozzarella ball into the center of the ground meat and then use your hands to roll the meatball, enclosing the cheese inside the ground chicken.
4. Place all your meatballs on a rimmed baking sheet tray and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
5. Serve the meatballs while still hot, smothered in more marinara sauce or placed on top of pasta.
The more you make these chicken Parmesan meatballs, the faster you will get at putting them together. You will be a meatball making machine in no time!
CAN I FREEZE THE CHICKEN MEATBALLS?
One reason I love this recipe is because I can triple the batch and freeze a bunch of meatballs, saving them for even busier nights.
I make and bake the meatballs completely and then line them up in a freezer safe container. I like to pour the sauce over the meatballs in the container to keep them juicy in the freezer. Cover the container and freeze the meatballs for up to three months. Anytime you need a quick dinner, pop the meatballs in the microwave to defrost and reheat.
IS IT BETTER TO BAKE OR FRY MEATBALLS?
My chicken parmesan meatballs are baked. I like the simplicity of lining them up on a sheet tray, popping them in the oven and coming back 20 minutes later to perfectly cooked meatballs. It is easy and quick.
You can choose to fry these meatballs in a skillet of hot vegetable oil. This will give you very crispy, juicy meatballs. Both options work well so the choice is yours!
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR MAKING EASY CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS
- Fresh basil is best, but you can use 2 teaspoons of dried basil or oregano in place of fresh if you prefer.
- As an alternative to fresh mozzarella balls, cut a mozzarella cheese stick into ½ inch pieces.
- I find making meatballs easier and less messy with a cookie scoop. It's also an easy way to make them the same size, but your hands work great too.
- These stuffed chicken meatballs make great leftovers. Reheat covered in microwave until heated through.
I love these chicken parmesan meatballs over pasta but my kids are huge fans of chicken parmesan meatball subs. I must say, it does make a great lunch! And lining the meatballs up on a big roll is faster than waiting for pasta to cook.
To make chicken parmesan meatball subs, cut a long sandwich roll horizontally and then stuff the bread with baked chicken parmesan meatballs. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and bread and then sprinkle some shredded mozzarella over the top. Broil the sandwich to melt the cheese and heat the bread. Just another way to use these tasty chicken parmesan meatballs for a quick dinner!
I hope that these chicken parmesan meatballs help make your transition from summer to school year a little easier. Make this recipe today and freeze some meatballs for later. We moms know how to be prepared and make our families happy! Now that you have tonight's dinner planned, go enjoy those last summer days - they go by too fast!
This post was originally published on August 18, 2021. Updated February 17, 2022.
MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES TO TRY!
Sheet Pan Chicken with Artichokes and Potatoes
One-Pan Garlic Herb Butter Chicken with Potatoes and Asparagus
Chicken Marsala on the Lighter Side
Baked Ranch Chicken Recipe
Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
I hope you like my recipe for cheesy chicken parmesan meatballs - be sure to give it a review below!
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Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings (21 meatballs) 1x
Description
These homemade Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are light and flavorful with a fresh basil taste. The cheese in the middle is a fun surprise and gives these meatballs their Parmesan name. An easy stuffed meatball recipe perfect for any season of the year!
Ingredients
1 pound ground chicken
¼ cup bread crumbs
⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus extra for garnish
¼ cup finely chopped fresh basil, plus extra for garnish
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2-3 cloves)
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
1 large egg
8 ounces jarred pasta or marinara sauce, divided
21 fresh mozzarella balls
1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, add chicken, bread crumbs, cheese, basil, Italian, seasoning, garlic, salt, pepper, 2 tablespoon pasta sauce, and egg and mix until combined.
- Form meatballs with medium size cookie scoop. Place mozzarella ball into middle by pressing gently. Reform back each meatball so you can no longer see the cheese.
- Place into lightly greased baking dish with space in between each meatball, then drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake the meatballs for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Remove meatballs from oven and top with remaining sauce. Continue baking for 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese and chopped basil.
- Serve alone or over pasta. Also great for making meatball subs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
LOVE THIS RECIPE? PIN IT FOR LATER!
Eileen M Loya says
Perfect recipe find for your Pasta Fridays. These Chicken parmesan meatballs will be a new family favorite!
Thena Franssen says
Can't wait to make these for the kids! These will be perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Elizabeth O says
I love it. This is one of my favorite recipes of yours. The pasta bowl is satisfying
briannemanz says
These Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are flavorful and amazingly tender. I want to perfect this recipe
Beth Pierce says
These meatballs are always sure to impress. It will not last long in our house.
Alita Pacio says
these meatballs looks soo delish. I cannot wait to try it for my family
Emman Damian says
Wow! I love Chicken Parmesan Meatballs! So good! I can't wait to make a batch on weekends.
jen schreiner says
These look amazing. I never thought to swap out ground beef for chicken. I can't wait to try this recipe.
Miss Farah Al Zadjaly says
Goood job on the recipe 🙂
Ebony says
I love this spin on Chicken Parm! Instead of trying to eat one huge slab of chicken breast, meatballs are such a better idea! I can't wait to try this with my family!
Luna S says
Wow these look mouth watering! I will have to try out this recipie.
Rupali Paul says
Looks delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
Marysa says
Parm is the best. This sounds like a great meal to make ahead in a big batch and save the leftovers for quick meals.
ashley t says
This looks so delicious and simple to make. Perfect for a weeknight meal.
Danielle says
Oh! These look really good.
Carmen says
My daughter loves meatballs, but my son not so much. Maybe I can fix this for him and he will enjoy this instead. Thanks for this recipe!
Nisha says
This looks super delicious, have not tried making meatballs before . Thanks for sharing such a great recipe!
Briana Baker says
I've never seen something like this! What a BRILLIANT idea! Trying this ASAP!
Dana says
This is a great idea! My husband and daughter will love this!
Danielle says
I never thought about making chicken parm this way. Looks so yummy.
Clarice says
Wow! This looks really delicious. Your post definitely made me hungry. Thank you for sharing the recipe. I haven't really tried making chicken parmesan meatballs but would love to try making this. 🙂
Clarice says
Wow! This looks really delicious. Your post definitely made me hungry. Thank you for sharing the recipe. I haven't really tried making chicken parmesan meatballs but would love to try making this.
Forever My Little Moon says
This looks so delicious! We love pasta, will have to try. Thanks for the recipe!
Rachel says
I've actually never meatballs with ground chicken...I gotta try it now!
Kathy says
These look delicious. I love making meatballs. I'll definitely add these to the list. I'm sure my family would love them.
Tara Pittman says
My family loves meatballs.This is a recipe that I need to make soon.
Nyxie says
These look amazing. We're planning on making something similar tonight funny enough. I can't wait!
LifeMagHealth says
I would love to try this recipe! I think this is good for afternoon snack too! Thanks for a wonderful article.
Rosey says
Pasta sauce in the jar tastes just fine to me. I like the idea of making chicken parm meatballs.
Sol says
I seldom prepare a pasta with meatballs even with chicken but this recipe looks really yummy to me!
Beth says
My son and his girlfriend make chicken parmesan a lot. I think they would love this variation too!
Ronnie says
Yum!! This looks delicious. I need to try it asap for my family.
Terri Steffes says
These meatballs sound amazing! I know that my family would love them.
Louisa says
This is really yummy. Definitely adding to my quick dinner fix list
Marysa says
This would be good for making a lot of, and freezing leftovers for all those busy school nights. Sounds delicious!
Nkem says
What a good idea! I can smell it already. Super yummy.
emman damian says
I love your Chicken Parmesan Meatballs recipe. I hope I can cook this on weekends. It looks so yummy!
Dominique says
This looks really good. I will have to try this and freeze some of them. I am saving the recipe!
Ramil Hinolan says
Wow, so versatile dish. I can mix my chicken parmesan balls on my spaghetti, or just eat it as is. I love that I have options in mixing the dish, so it will end up bland or not so appetizing.
Anne Marie says
I like the idea of a leaner meatball, and the mix of spices in here sounds delicious!
Milton Coyne says
Wow that looks really scrumptious.. I love meatballs in my pasta and this one is surely a great fit.. It looks easy to prepare too ❤️❤️ will definitely try this soon.. Thank you for sharing
Scarlett Brooklyn says
Sounds great, I gotta try this since we've been doing beef dishes too much lately.
Richelle Escat says
This sounds so good! I just wonder where to buy ground chicken?? 🤔
Chef Dennis says
Yum! These Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are super delicious! My family are asking for more.
Amber Myers says
Oh yum, these meatballs sound incredible. I cannot wait to try these out.
Monica Simpson says
We love meatballs in this house! I love the idea of meshing two amazing dishes into one. Can't wait to try these!
Heather says
You've taken two of my favorite dishes and combined them into one. I can't wait to try this.