Description
Easy Baked Chicken Meatballs are a healthier, flavorful, and versatile dish that’s perfect for any occasion. They are baked, not fried, for a light crunch and packed with savory seasonings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds ground chicken
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (for sauce)
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves (for sauce)
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves (for sauce)
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh oregano leaves (for sauce)
- Pinch of salt (for sauce)
- Optional: crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, black pepper, onion powder, oregano, and parsley. Mix well, but avoid overmixing.
- Shape the mixture into 24-30 meatballs, each about 2 tablespoons of the mixture, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake meatballs for 20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- For the sauce, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then add lemon juice, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, oregano, and a pinch of salt. Optional: add crushed red pepper flakes for heat.
- Brush the baked meatballs with the lemon garlic sauce and serve. Optionally, sprinkle with additional parsley or red pepper flakes.
Notes
- If you prefer, ground turkey or beef can be used in place of ground chicken.
- For gluten-free meatballs, substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or finely processed oats.
- Substitute parmesan with Pecorino Romano or a vegan cheese alternative for a non-dairy option.
- Use dried herbs if fresh aren’t available, but reduce the quantity.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: baked chicken meatballs, chicken meatballs recipe, healthy meatballs, lemon garlic meatballs, baked meatballs