Description
A quick, juicy, and budget-friendly one-pan ground chicken meatball recipe that tastes like restaurant quality but is ready in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground chicken (mix of breast and thigh preferred)
- ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup grated yellow onion
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt (to taste, if breadcrumbs are unsalted)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry (optional)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, gently combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, Parmesan, grated onion, black pepper, and salt. Do not overmix.
- Wet hands slightly and roll the mixture into 12-14 uniform meatballs, about 1.5 inches in diameter. Chill in the fridge for 10 minutes if needed to firm up.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear meatballs in a single layer for 2 minutes per side until golden brown. Do not cook through yet.
- Pour marinara sauce into the skillet around the meatballs. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover with a lid or foil, and simmer for 10-12 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove lid. If sauce is too thin, simmer uncovered for 2-3 minutes to reduce. Stir in fresh basil and red pepper flakes. Serve immediately.
Notes
Do not overmix the meat to avoid tough meatballs. Searing first creates a better texture and flavor. If using lean breast meat, add a tablespoon of olive oil or mayonnaise to keep them moist. Ensure frozen spinach is thoroughly squeezed dry to prevent falling apart.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs with sau
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
Keywords: ground chicken meatballs, one pan dinner, easy weeknight meals, healthy chicken recipes, better than takeout, quick dinner, family friendly