Description
Deliciously cheesy and tender chicken Parmesan meatballs baked to perfection, smothered in marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a comforting Italian-American main course that’s family-friendly and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Topping
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup additional shredded mozzarella cheese for topping
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F to get it ready for baking the meatballs.
- Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, shredded mozzarella, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form the meatballs: Using a cookie scoop or your hands, shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the meatballs for 18 to 20 minutes until they are cooked through and lightly golden on the outside.
- Add sauce and cheese: Transfer the baked meatballs into a baking dish, pour the marinara sauce evenly over them, then sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake again for melting: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley, and serve hot. These meatballs pair beautifully with spaghetti, sub sandwiches, or a light salad.
Notes
- Serve over spaghetti, in a sub roll for sandwiches, or alongside a simple salad.
- For crispier meatballs, broil for 1–2 minutes after baking.
- You can substitute ground turkey if preferred.
