Name: Chicken Parmesan Meatballs Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb ground chicken; 1 egg; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs (plus about 3/4 cup additional for rolling); 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper; 1/4 cup olive oil (divided); 1 (26 ounce) jar marinara sauce; 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 2 tablespoons torn basil (optional)

If you’re on the hunt for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s simple but packs a punch, look no further—this Chicken Parmesan Meatballs Recipe is where it’s at. I absolutely love how these meatballs come out tender inside with a crispy, golden crust, all bathed in rich marinara and melted mozzarella. Trust me, once you try this, your family (and maybe even your picky eaters) will be begging for seconds—and it’s so easy, too!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The Italian herbs, Parmesan, and a hint of crushed red pepper create a deliciously savory meatball that’s never bland.
Easy Weeknight Dinner: Ready in about 35 minutes, it’s a quick option that doesn’t sacrifice taste or texture.
Family Favorite: I’ve made these for guests and family alike, and the meatballs always disappear fast—they’re just that good!

A close-up view of a skillet showing one layer of chunky bright red tomato sauce spread evenly at the bottom, topped with a layer of white melted cheese with stringy texture scattered all around. On top of this, there are about a dozen golden brown crispy fried balls, evenly spaced, with a rough and crunchy surface. Small fresh green basil leaves are scattered on the cheese and near the fried balls, with a few whole basil sprigs placed in the front part of the skillet. The skillet is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Chicken Parmesan Meatballs Recipe lies in how well these simple pantry staples come together to create a dish that feels classic and comforting. I like to keep an eye out for fresh basil when it’s in season—that little touch really brightens things up.

Ground Chicken: Lean and mild, it’s the hearty base that makes these meatballs feel lighter than traditional beef but still packed with flavor.
Egg: Acts as your binder so the meatballs don’t fall apart—it’s a kitchen MVP here.
Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, nutty depth that’s a must-have in any Parmesan dish.
Panko Breadcrumbs: Use half in the meatball mixture and keep extra handy—you’ll roll the balls in these to get that signature crispy crunch I love.
Garlic Powder & Italian Seasonings: These seasonings bring classic Italian flavor without extra effort.
Kosher Salt & Pepper: Don’t skimp here! You want your meatballs well-seasoned to bring out all those flavors.
Crushed Red Pepper: This is optional, but I find it adds just the right amount of subtle heat to wake up your palate.
Olive Oil: For browning those meatballs to perfection—adds flavor and texture so they don’t steam in the pan.
Marinara Sauce: The cozy sauce bath that keeps meatballs juicy and adds that vibrant tomato tang.
Shredded Mozzarella: Melts beautifully on top for ooey-gooey goodness.
Fresh Basil: Optional, but my secret finishing touch that brightens the whole dish.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the reasons I adore this Chicken Parmesan Meatballs Recipe is how adaptable it is. Feel free to tweak it to fit your mood or dietary needs—you’ll find this recipe is a great canvas for creativity in the kitchen.

Spicy Kick: I sometimes bump up the crushed red pepper or add a pinch of cayenne to satisfy my craving for heat.
Gluten-Free Twist: Swap regular Panko breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version and you’re good to go without compromising texture.
Herb Swap: If fresh basil isn’t your jam, parsley or oregano work beautifully as garnish alternatives.
Cheese Lovers: I’ve tried adding a bit of shredded Pecorino Romano mixed with Parmesan for a sharper edge—and it’s incredible.

How to Make Chicken Parmesan Meatballs Recipe

Step 1: Mix and Shape the Meatball Mixture

Start by combining ground chicken, egg, Parmesan, half the Panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, Italian seasonings, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper in a large bowl. I like to use my hands here—it’s the best way to get everything evenly mixed without overworking the meat. Once it’s all blended, roll the mixture into 1 1/2 inch meatballs. Pro tip: Try to keep them all about the same size so they cook evenly.

Step 2: Brown the Meatballs in Two Batches

Heat about 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Roll half of your meatballs in the remaining Panko breadcrumbs, which adds that delicious crunch, then carefully brown them on all sides. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes per side. Don’t forget to add more oil if the pan looks dry! Once browned, transfer them to a plate. Wipe out the skillet gently and repeat the process with the rest of the meatballs. Browning in two batches prevents overcrowding so the meatballs get that perfect crisp crust instead of steaming.

Step 3: Bake with Marinara and Cheese

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the marinara sauce into the same skillet or any oven-safe dish, spreading it out evenly. Nestle your browned meatballs right into the sauce. Bake for 20 minutes until they’re cooked through and juicy. About 5 minutes before the timer goes off, sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the meatballs and let it melt into gooey perfection. The last touch is tearing fresh basil on top just before serving. My family goes crazy for the way the cheese melts over those tender meatballs!

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Pro Tips for Making Chicken Parmesan Meatballs Recipe

Even Sizing: Using a small ice cream scoop helps me get perfectly sized meatballs every time, which means they cook evenly—you’ll thank me later.
Don’t Skip Browning: Browning adds flavor and texture; skipping this step makes meatballs softer and less flavorful, so take the extra 10 minutes to get that golden crust.
Use an Oven-Safe Skillet: It saves you from dirtying an extra dish and helps the sauce caramelize slightly around the edges.
Basil Freshness: Adding basil right before serving keeps the flavor bright—if you add it too early, it tends to wilt and lose that punch.

How to Serve Chicken Parmesan Meatballs Recipe

The image shows a round dish layered with a rich red tomato sauce at the bottom, topped with golden brown breaded balls that have a crispy texture. Melted white cheese covers the balls, with some cheese stretching as a silver fork lifts one ball. Fresh green basil leaves are scattered on top, adding a pop of color. The dish is in a dark round pan, placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I always sprinkle torn fresh basil leaves on top right before serving—it adds a lovely herbal brightness that cuts through the richness. A little extra grated Parmesan on each plate never hurts either if you’re a cheese fanatic like me!

Side Dishes

For me, serving these meatballs over a bed of spaghetti or your favorite pasta is classic and comforting. Pair it with garlic bread to soak up all that marinara sauce and a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the meal. I find this combo always hits the spot and feels like a restaurant-quality dinner at home.

Creative Ways to Present

When I’ve had guests over, I love serving these meatballs on skewers as bite-sized appetizers, garnished with basil and extra cheese—so fun and approachable! Another favorite is plating individual portions in mini cast iron skillets, bubbling hot and cheesy right out of the oven. It really adds a special touch for dinner parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Chicken Parmesan Meatballs keep really well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually store meatballs and sauce together to keep the meat moist and flavorful. When I make a double batch, leftovers disappear pretty quickly around here!

Freezing

These meatballs freeze wonderfully before baking. After shaping and browning, let them cool completely, then flash freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. When you want to enjoy them later, thaw overnight and bake with sauce and cheese as usual. This trick saves me on busy nights when I want homemade but need speed.

Reheating

To reheat, I cover leftovers with foil and pop them in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes until warmed through and the cheese is melty again. You can also microwave, but reheating gently in the oven keeps the texture closest to freshly baked.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground chicken in this recipe?

Absolutely! Ground turkey works just as well, offering a slightly different flavor but the same great texture. Just be sure to monitor cooking time, since turkey can dry out faster than chicken.
Do I have to brown the meatballs before baking?

While you can skip browning to save time, I highly recommend it. Browning creates a tasty crust and deeper flavor that baking alone can’t provide, plus it helps the meatballs hold their shape better.
How do I prevent chicken meatballs from falling apart?

The key is using the egg and breadcrumbs as binders and not overmixing the meatball mixture. Also, evenly browning them helps create a firm outer layer so they don’t crumble when handled.
Can I make these meatballs dairy-free?

You can! Simply omit the Parmesan and mozzarella or swap in dairy-free cheese alternatives. Keep in mind that Parmesan adds saltiness and depth, so you might want to adjust seasonings accordingly.
What’s the best way to reheat leftover Chicken Parmesan Meatballs?

Reheating in the oven wrapped in foil keeps them juicy and allows the cheese to melt nicely again. Microwaving is quicker but can sometimes dry out the meatballs.

Final Thoughts

I used to struggle getting chicken meatballs just right—often too dry or lacking flavor—but this Chicken Parmesan Meatballs Recipe changed the game for me. It’s my go-to dinner when I want something impressive yet fuss-free. Sharing this recipe with you feels like passing along a little kitchen secret that truly makes dinner feel special. So next time you’re craving Italian comfort food, whip this up—you won’t regret it!