Craving a mouthwatering meal that's both delicious and guilt-free? Get ready to transform your dinner game with these Healthy Baked Chicken Meatball Parmesan - the ultimate comfort food that won't derail your fitness goals! Imagine sinking your teeth into perfectly golden, juicy meatballs smothered in rich marinara sauce and melted cheese, all without the extra grease of traditional frying. This recipe is about to become your new weeknight superhero - quick, easy, and packed with flavor that will have your entire family begging for seconds!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 egg
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly using your hands or a fork until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Gently form the mixture into uniform meatballs, approximately
- 5 inches in diameter. This should yield about 12-16 meatballs depending on size.
- Place the formed meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching each other for even cooking.
- Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until they are golden brown and have an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the meatballs from the oven and carefully pour marinara sauce over them, ensuring each meatball is partially covered.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the meatballs and sauce.
- Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes before serving to allow the cheese to set and meatballs to cool slightly.
- Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh basil or additional grated Parmesan cheese.
Tips
- • For extra-tender meatballs, avoid overmixing the ingredients - this can make them tough • Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches exactly 165°F for food safety • Let meatballs rest after cooking to help them retain moisture • For a gluten-free version, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs • If you want more herbs, add some dried oregano or fresh chopped parsley to the meat mixture • To prevent sticking, use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat • For meal prep, these meatballs can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 300kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 120mg
