🎉 Introduction
If you’re looking for the perfect weeknight dinner that’s comforting, cheesy, family-friendly, and unbelievably easy to prepare, these Chicken Parm Meatballs are about to become your new obsession. They take everything you love about classic chicken parmesan — savory Italian seasoning, melted mozzarella cheese, rich marinara sauce, and sharp Parmesan — and transform it into tender, juicy meatballs that cook in a fraction of the time.
Ground chicken absorbs seasonings beautifully, making each meatball flavorful, aromatic, and soft on the inside. Italian herbs, garlic powder, and breadcrumbs give the meatballs that classic Italian-style flavor profile, while Parmesan adds richness and depth. Once baked, the meatballs simmer gently in marinara sauce, soaking up even more flavor and becoming melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Topped with gooey mozzarella, this dish becomes the ultimate cheesy comfort meal.
What makes this recipe perfect for busy weeknights is the simplicity. You just mix, roll, bake, simmer, and serve. With minimal prep and simple pantry ingredients, you can create a comforting dinner that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Serve them over pasta, inside subs, on rice, with veggies, or enjoy them straight from the skillet. No matter how you serve them, these Chicken Parm Meatballs will quickly become a go-to dinner you’ll crave again and again.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Small skillet (optional for browning)
- Cutting board
- Oven
- Mixing spoon
- Saucepan or deep skillet
- Ladle
🛒 Ingredients
Protein
- 1 lb ground chicken
Fresh Produce
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Seasonings
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
Eggs
- 2 large eggs
Condiments
- 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Dairy
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Breadcrumbs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian seasoned)
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Step 2: Mix the Meatball Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine:
- Ground chicken
- Breadcrumbs
- Eggs
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Parmesan cheese
Mix gently using your hands or a spoon.
Do NOT overmix — this keeps the meatballs tender.
Step 3: Roll into Meatballs
Shape into 1–1.5 inch meatballs.
Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
You should get about 18–22 meatballs depending on size.
Step 4: Bake the Meatballs
Bake for 16–20 minutes, or until:
- Light golden
- Fully cooked
- Internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C)
Optional: Broil 2 minutes at the end for a crispier exterior.
Step 5: Add to Marinara Sauce
Heat marinara sauce in a skillet or saucepan.
Once meatballs are cooked, gently place them into the sauce.
Simmer for 8–10 minutes to absorb flavor.
Step 6: Add Mozzarella and Melt
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the meatballs.
Cover and heat 3–5 minutes until cheese is fully melted and gooey.
Step 7: Serve
Top with fresh basil.
Serve over pasta, rice, roasted vegetables, garlic bread, or in classic sub sandwiches.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 4–6
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Simmer Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: ~40 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Store up to 4 days.
Freezer
Great for freezing! Freeze up to 3 months.
Freeze meatballs alone or in sauce.
Reheating
- Stovetop: Simmer in sauce for 5 minutes
- Microwave: 1–2 minutes
- Air fryer: 3 minutes at 350°F
🥄 Variations
1. Chicken Parm Meatball Subs
Serve inside toasted rolls with extra sauce and cheese.
2. Spicy Version
Add red pepper flakes or chili powder to the meat mixture.
3. Extra Cheesy Meatballs
Mix mozzarella into the meatball mixture + melt more on top.
4. Baked Sheet Pan Meal
Bake meatballs alongside veggies like zucchini or bell peppers.
5. Low-Carb Version
Swap breadcrumbs for almond flour.
6. Creamy Parmesan Sauce
Simmer meatballs in a creamy Alfredo-style sauce.
7. Herbed Version
Add fresh parsley or fresh oregano to the meat mixture.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes — prep the meatballs and refrigerate raw for up to 24 hours.
2. Can I use turkey instead of chicken?
Yes, ground turkey works perfectly.
3. Why did my meatballs turn out dry?
Ground chicken is lean — don’t overbake and keep enough moisture (eggs + cheese).
4. Can I pan-fry instead of baking?
Yes — brown in a skillet, then simmer in marinara.
5. Should I cover them while baking?
No — leave uncovered so they brown nicely.
6. Can I add vegetables?
Yes, finely grated zucchini or carrots work great.
7. What pasta pairs well?
Spaghetti, penne, rigatoni, or orzo.
8. Are these good for meal prep?
Absolutely — they reheat beautifully.
9. Can I use fresh garlic instead of powder?
Yes — 2 cloves minced.
10. Can I make them gluten-free?
Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour.
🏁 Conclusion
These Chicken Parm Meatballs deliver everything you crave in a cozy weeknight dinner — juicy chicken, melty cheese, Italian herbs, savory marinara, and a warm, comforting aroma that fills your kitchen. They’re easy to make, incredibly versatile, and loved by kids and adults alike.
Whether you enjoy them over pasta, inside a cheesy sub, paired with vegetables, or eaten straight from the skillet, each bite is tender, flavorful, and satisfying. This recipe is a perfect blend of simplicity and comfort, making it a staple for busy nights, meal prep, or family dinners.
Cheesy. Juicy. Comforting.
The perfect weeknight chicken dinner.
Weeknight Comfort with Chicken Parm Meatballs
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Ingredients
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Discover more than 1700+ delicious recipes you can cook at home. Easy, step-by-step instructions with new recipes added every day.
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Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine:
- Ground chicken
- Breadcrumbs
- Eggs
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Parmesan cheese
- Mix gently using your hands or a spoon.
- Do NOT overmix — this keeps the meatballs tender.
- Shape into 1–1.5 inch meatballs.
- Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- You should get about 18–22 meatballs depending on size.
- Bake for 16–20 minutes, or until:
- Light golden
- Fully cooked
- Internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C)
- Optional: Broil 2 minutes at the end for a crispier exterior.
- Heat marinara sauce in a skillet or saucepan.
- Once meatballs are cooked, gently place them into the sauce.
- Simmer for 8–10 minutes to absorb flavor.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the meatballs.
- Cover and heat 3–5 minutes until cheese is fully melted and gooey.
- Top with fresh basil.
- Serve over pasta, rice, roasted vegetables, garlic bread, or in classic sub sandwiches.
Notes
Refrigerator Store up to 4 days. Freezer Great for freezing! Freeze up to 3 months. Freeze meatballs alone or in sauce. Reheating Stovetop: Simmer in sauce for 5 minutes Microwave: 1–2 minutes Air fryer: 3 minutes at 350°F 🥄 Variations
1. Chicken Parm Meatball Subs Serve inside toasted rolls with extra sauce and cheese. 2. Spicy Version Add red pepper flakes or chili powder to the meat mixture. 3. Extra Cheesy Meatballs Mix mozzarella into the meatball mixture + melt more on top. 4. Baked Sheet Pan Meal Bake meatballs alongside veggies like zucchini or bell peppers. 5. Low-Carb Version Swap breadcrumbs for almond flour. 6. Creamy Parmesan Sauce Simmer meatballs in a creamy Alfredo-style sauce. 7. Herbed Version Add fresh parsley or fresh oregano to the meat mixture. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I make these ahead of time? Yes — prep the meatballs and refrigerate raw for up to 24 hours. 2. Can I use turkey instead of chicken? Yes, ground turkey works perfectly. 3. Why did my meatballs turn out dry? Ground chicken is lean — don’t overbake and keep enough moisture (eggs + cheese). 4. Can I pan-fry instead of baking? Yes — brown in a skillet, then simmer in marinara. 5. Should I cover them while baking? No — leave uncovered so they brown nicely. 6. Can I add vegetables? Yes, finely grated zucchini or carrots work great. 7. What pasta pairs well? Spaghetti, penne, rigatoni, or orzo. 8. Are these good for meal prep? Absolutely — they reheat beautifully. 9. Can I use fresh garlic instead of powder? Yes — 2 cloves minced. 10. Can I make them gluten-free? Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour. 🏁 Conclusion These Chicken Parm Meatballs deliver everything you crave in a cozy weeknight dinner — juicy chicken, melty cheese, Italian herbs, savory marinara, and a warm, comforting aroma that fills your kitchen. They’re easy to make, incredibly versatile, and loved by kids and adults alike. Whether you enjoy them over pasta, inside a cheesy sub, paired with vegetables, or eaten straight from the skillet, each bite is tender, flavorful, and satisfying. This recipe is a perfect blend of simplicity and comfort, making it a staple for busy nights, meal prep, or family dinners. Cheesy. Juicy. Comforting.
The perfect weeknight chicken dinner.
