Description
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.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg