Description
These Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are a delicious, comforting dish featuring tender ground chicken meatballs simmered in rich marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, these meatballs combine classic Italian flavors with a quick and easy cooking process.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground chicken
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (about ½ cup) – optional
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
- 1 cup (85 grams) grated parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Cooking
- 2 cups (480 ml) marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups (180 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, finely diced onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, half of the grated parmesan cheese, egg, chopped fresh parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix all ingredients until just combined to avoid tough meatballs.
- Cook the Meatballs: Heat the marinara sauce in a large skillet or saucepan to a simmer. Gently portion out the meatball mixture into the simmering sauce. Cover the pan and let the meatballs cook for 15 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
- Broil the Meatballs: Once the meatballs are cooked through, sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella evenly over the top. Place the pan under a broiler for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the broiler, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve hot as a flavorful main course.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- If you prefer stronger seasoning, increase the Italian seasoning to 1 ½ teaspoons.
- Ensure not to overmix the meatball ingredients to keep the texture tender.
- Broil carefully to avoid burning the cheese; keep an eye on the meatballs during broiling.
- Serve with pasta, garlic bread, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
