Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

If you’re craving something warm, cheesy, and seriously comforting, these Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are just the thing. They’re tender, full of flavor, and simmered in rich marinara with plenty of melty cheese on top, basically everything you love about a classic comfort dish, rolled into one easy recipe. Serve them over pasta or grab one straight from the pan while they’re hot, either way they’re hard to resist.

Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs Recipe

Easy weeknight meals are always at the top of my busy family’s priority list. When you can pair that with something simple to make, it’s a win all around. These chicken parmesan meatballs check every box, they come together without much fuss, cook up quickly, and deliver big, comforting flavor. Tender, cheesy, and simmered in a rich marinara, they’re the kind of favorite meals everyone looks forward to, making them an easy go-to for even the busiest nights.

Key ingredients you’ll need to make Chicken Parmesan Meatballs: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card with quantities).

Chicken – Two pounds ground chicken forms the base of the meatball mixture.
Onion and Garlic – Diced onion and minced garlic enhance the flavor.
Breadcrumbs – Italian seasoned panko breadcrumbs add bulk.
Whole Eggs – Large eggs stabilize the ingredients and help the meatballs stay together while baking.
Liquid – Whole milk for moisture.
Cheese – Shredded mozzarella cheese and finely grated Parmesan cheese for a melty cheesy flavor.
Spices – Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes.
Tomato Sauce – One jar marinara sauce i.e. Bertolli’s Four Cheese or a similar brand that you enjoy.
Fresh Herbs – Fresh parsley for color and a pop of fresh flavor.
Oil – Olive oil for brushing the skillet.

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How to Make Chicken Parmesan Meatballs Recipe

Heat Oven and Prepare Large Skillet -Preheat oven to 400°F. Brush the bottom and sides of a 12-inch cast iron skillet with olive oil.
Make the Meatball Mixture – Stir together ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, onion, Parmesan, milk, eggs, parsley, garlic, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes until fully combined. Cover and chill to firm.
Form the Chicken Parm Meatballs – After chilling, uncover the ground chicken mixture and use a small scoop to form into 1-inch balls. Place into the skillet side by side, leaving equal space between.
Oven – Bake per the recipe turning and adding sauce halfway through baking.
Add Cheese – Sprinkle top of the sauce with mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. Return to the oven and bake until bubbly and the cheese has melted.
Serve garnished with additional parsley along with pasta, on hoagie rolls or as an appetizer.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Chicken and Parmesan Meatballs

Large mixing bowl or medium bowl.
Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
Knife and chopping board.
Meatball scoop.
Large skillet either cast iron or similar size oven safe skillet. You can also bake these in a 13×9-inch casserole dish. Due to the sauce, a baking sheet doesn’t work here.

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Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

Protein – You could adapt this recipe using ground turkey.
Breadcrumbs – You can use classic panko breadcrumb or dried Italian breadcrumbs.
Adjust the Size – I used a 1-inch meatball scoop to make the meatballs. You can make them larger, simply adjust the baking time to accommodate.
Cheese – You can use a pre-shredded Italian blend of cheese purchased at the grocery store for a timesaver.
Herbs – You can replace parsley with fresh basil.
Sauce – You can use your favorite store-bought marinara sauce or spaghetti sauce for this recipe. These are also delicious served drizzled with barbecue sauce.
How to Serve Chicken Meatballs – Serve these meatballs over a bed of pasta with a salad, on toasted hoagie rolls or with picks as an appetizer. You could also use these in Italian soup, just bake or fry in a skillet to brown then drop into the soup to finish cooking.

Storage and Leftovers

Make-Ahead Tip – You can form the meatballs one day in advance and pop them into an airtight container. Store chilled until baking. You may choose to make half of the meatballs and freeze the rest for another meal.
Leftovers – Store leftover Parmesan Chicken Meatballs in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating – Reheat gently in the microwave, in a preheated 350 degree f oven or in an air fryer just until heated through.
Freezer – You can freeze leftovers in a freezer bag or freezer safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

More Easy Southern Chicken Recipes to Make

Buttermilk Fried Chicken is juicy on the inside with a crunchy exterior.
Lemon Garlic Chicken comes together in minutes for a quick weekday meal.
Pulled Chicken smothered with barbecue sauce is a real crowd pleaser!
This hearty Chicken Stew is a one pot meal.
Stovetop Chicken and Dumplings is a comfort food favorite.
Honey Pecan Fried Chicken is perfect for entertaining friends and family.
Chicken Stuffing Casserole with a side of mashed potatoes is sheer comfort.
Grilled Chicken Rub from Southern Living.

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