Tender and juicy chicken ricotta meatballs dance with flavor, promising a culinary adventure that will make your taste buds sing.
Packed with creamy ricotta cheese, these meatballs offer a delightful twist on traditional recipes.
Each bite delivers a perfect blend of herbs and seasonings that complement the delicate chicken.
The ricotta adds a luxurious softness, creating meatballs that are impossibly light and moist.
Crafted with care and love, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a spectacular meal.
Quick to prepare and even faster to devour, these meatballs will become your new dinner favorite.
Serve them over pasta, in a zesty marinara sauce, or enjoy them as a standalone appetizer that’s sure to impress.
Serving Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Sauces
Pasta Paradise: Serve these juicy chicken ricotta meatballs over a bed of spaghetti or linguine, draped in rich marinara sauce and sprinkled with extra Parmesan cheese for a classic Italian-inspired meal.
Sandwich Sensation: Stuff these tender meatballs into a crusty sub roll with melted mozzarella, marinara sauce, and fresh basil leaves for a hearty and satisfying sandwich that will wow your taste buds.
Appetizer Delight: Arrange the meatballs on a platter with toothpicks, surrounded by marinara dipping sauce and garnished with fresh herbs, perfect for game day, cocktail parties, or casual gatherings with friends.
Meal Prep Magic: Cool the meatballs completely and store in airtight containers for easy lunch prep, adding them to salads, grain bowls, or reheating for a quick protein-packed meal during busy weekdays.
How to Keep Meatballs Moist After Storage
Smart Storage Solutions: Refrigerate cooked meatballs in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring they stay fresh and delicious.
Freezer-Friendly Hack: Freeze uncooked or cooked meatballs flat on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags for easy meal prep. They'll last 2-3 months when properly sealed.
Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated meatballs in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or in a skillet with marinara sauce to maintain moisture and flavor. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out.
Meal Prep Brilliance: Batch cook these chicken ricotta meatballs on weekends, portion into individual containers with sauce, and create quick grab-and-go lunches or dinners throughout the week.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories: 290 kcal
Servings: 4
What Goes Into Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs
For Protein Base:
Ground Chicken: Lean protein that creates a lighter alternative to traditional beef meatballs, ensuring tender and juicy texture.
Ricotta Cheese: Adds moisture and creamy richness to prevent dry meatballs, enhancing overall tenderness.
Egg: Binds ingredients together and helps maintain meatball structure during baking.
Measuring cups and spoons: Helps accurately measure ingredients for consistent results.
Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs: How to Cook
Fire Up the Oven: Get your oven nice and hot at 400F (200C). Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper or give it a quick spray of olive oil.
Create the Flavor Bombs: In a big mixing bowl, toss together ground chicken, creamy ricotta, zesty Parmesan, minced garlic, a cracked egg, Italian herbs, fresh parsley, breadcrumbs, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Mix everything until just combined – don't go crazy with the mixing.
Shape Your Meatball Masterpieces: Use your hands or a small scoop to roll out some delicious meatballs. Aim for about 1½ inches and place them carefully on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake to Perfection: Give the meatballs a light olive oil spray and slide them into the oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until they're golden and cooked through. Pro tip: They're done when they hit 165F (74C) internal temperature.
Serve and Enjoy: Dive these beauties into warm marinara sauce. Serve them over pasta, stuff them in a sub, or line them up as crowd-pleasing appetizers. Top with fresh basil or parsley for that extra wow factor.
Tips for Tender and Flavorful Meatballs
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare meatballs ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking, which helps flavors meld and saves precious cooking time.
Moisture Master: Add an extra splash of ricotta or a tablespoon of Greek yogurt to keep chicken meatballs extra tender and prevent dryness during baking.
Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap traditional breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
Protein Power Boost: Experiment with ground turkey or lean ground beef as alternative meat options if chicken isn't your preferred protein choice.
Spice Lover's Twist: Mix in red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or cayenne pepper for a zesty kick that transforms the classic meatball flavor profile.
Italian-inspired baked chicken ricotta meatballs deliver a delightful twist on classic comfort fare. Succulent and tender, these protein-packed morsels promise a memorable dining experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
1 lb (500 g) ground chicken
½ cup (125 g) ricotta cheese
½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
1 large egg
½ cup (60 g) breadcrumbs (gluten-free if needed)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Olive oil spray (optional, for extra browning)
Marinara sauce
Spaghetti or favorite pasta
Fresh basil leaves
Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400F (200C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a light olive oil spray to prevent adhesion.
Mixture Creation: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta, Parmesan, garlic, egg, Italian seasoning, parsley, breadcrumbs, salt, and black pepper, blending ingredients thoroughly but gently to maintain a light texture.
Meatball Formation: Using hands or a portioning scoop, shape the mixture into uniform 1½-inch spheres, placing them on the prepared baking sheet with minimal spacing between each.
Preliminary Cooking Technique: Lightly mist meatballs with olive oil spray to encourage golden caramelization and achieve a crisp exterior.
Baking Process: Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, ensuring the meatballs reach a safe internal temperature of 165F/74C and develop a rich, golden-brown crust.
Finishing and Serving: Immediately transfer meatballs into warm marinara sauce to enhance flavor and maintain moisture, then present over pasta, in a sub sandwich, or as an appetizer, garnishing with fresh basil or parsley for a vibrant presentation.
Notes
Prevent Dense Texture: Fold ingredients gently with a fork or hands, avoiding over-mixing to keep meatballs light and tender.
Achieve Golden Browning: Lightly spray olive oil on meatball surfaces before baking to enhance crispy exterior and attractive color.
Ensure Food Safety: Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165F/74C, guaranteeing chicken is fully cooked and safe to consume.
Maintain Moisture: Immediately transfer hot meatballs into warm marinara sauce after baking to preserve juiciness and infuse additional flavor profiles.
Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.
William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary.
With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist.
When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.
William Hawkins
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Education
Sullivan University, Louisville, KY
William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary.
With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist.
When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.