Easy Chicken Meatballs Recipe

Name: Easy Chicken Meatballs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 450 grams (1 pound) ground chicken; 1 egg; 60 grams (½ cup) breadcrumbs (panko, whole-wheat, gluten-free); 25 grams (¼ cup) Parmesan cheese (grated); 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 garlic clove (finely minced); 1 tsp dried oregano; ½ tsp onion powder; ½ tsp salt (or to taste); black pepper (to taste)

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Juicy inside and crispy outside, these easy Chicken Meatballs are a delicious dish that everyone will love. They come together in a bowl with just simple ingredients and are perfect to bake, pan fry or air fry. Meal-prep friendly recipe!

I’m not a huge fan of meat. If I can easily stay months without red meat, here at home we usually have chicken or turkey every week. I always cook my chicken breast very simple – boiled, grilled or baked – and we all like it. Yet, from time to time my girlfriend gets bored of boiled chicken and asks for something more “exciting”. That was exactly what happened last night. Dinner time was approaching and I was about to turn on the grill pan when a “hopeless” voice entered my ears.

“Please, let’s make something different tonight. I’m tired of eating always the same things”. The time and desire to cook were virtually nonexistent and I was about to “ignore” her prayers, when a genius idea came to my mind.

“Meatballs. Let’s make meatballs. I’m gonna adapt my grandma’s recipe and use chicken instead of red meat. It’s so quick and simple that in minutes we’ll have juicy meatballs ready to eat”.

And that’s how we ended up with one of the most delicious dinners in months. We both loved these chicken meatballs so much that I decided to share the recipe with you, on my blog.

Why you will love these easy chicken meatballs?
The ingredients
How to make simple chicken meatballs?
Bake, pan fry or air fry!
Storing and freezing chicken meatballs
Serving ideas
FAQ – Frequently asked question
More easy healthy recipes
Easy Chicken Meatballs Recipe

Why you will love these easy chicken meatballs?

Surprise family, friends and your tastebuds with these easy chicken meatballs recipe. Everyone will love them, starting with you. Here’s why!

Quick and easy to make, they come together in a bowl in minutes
With simple ingredients only, you can get everything at the local grocery store
Incredibly adaptable to your preferences, they can be pan-fried, baked, air fried or deep fried
Juicy, flavorsome and super delicious
Healthy dish that is packed with protein, low in fats, low in calories and diet-friendly.
Versatile food for any occasion, they are great as a main dish or as a side
Meal-pre friendly, homemade chicken meatballs freeze well.

The ingredients

Ground chicken: For juicier meatballs I recommend ground chicken with moderate fat percentages, such as 10% to 5% (that is to say, 90% to 95% lean chicken). If the fat content is too low, your chicken meatballs will tend to get dry and though. As an alternative to ground chicken you can also use ground turkey.
Breadcrumbs: The main function of breadcrumbs in meatballs is to retain moisture and tenderness. What is more, in combination with egg they prevent chicken meatballs from falling apart. You can use common breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, whole wheat breadcrumbs or gluten-free alternatives.
Parmesan cheese: Parmesan cheese is a must for making the best chicken meatballs; it adds plenty of flavor and taste. You can replace with any other shredded cheese you like, such as shredded cheddar or shredded mozzarella, or skip completely.
Egg: The egg serves the purpose of binding the chicken mixture while adding moisture and taste. Using an egg also ensures that your patties won’t fall apart.
Olive oil: I like extra virgin olive oil, but you can substitute with any other oil such as seed oil, vegetable oil or avocado oil.
Herbs and seasonings: After salt and pepper, I used garlic, onion powder and dried oregano. Feel free to include any other seasoning such as smoked paprika or dried basil.

How to make simple chicken meatballs?

Step 1: Season the chicken. In a large mixing bowl, add ground chicken and mix with olive oil, minced garlic clove, dried oregano, onion powder, salt and black pepper. Give it a good stir to evenly season the meat.

Step 2: Make easy chicken meatballs. Add breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese to the chicken mixture, the crack in the egg. Mix all ingredients together until evenly combined, using your hands if necessary. Take some of the mixture and with the help of a spoon and/or your hands, form some balls.

Step 3: Cook and enjoy. After making, you can bake, pan fry or air fry your patties. The chicken meatballs are done when golden brown on the outside but still tender on the inside.

Bake, pan fry or air fry!

Whether you prefer healthy chicken meatballs baked or whether you like them fried, this hassle-free recipe caters to any cooking preference. You can easily bake, pan fry or air fry your patties…here’s how.

Bake in the oven. This is the healthiest cooking method, but also the most time consuming. To make chicken meatballs in the oven, bake at 200°C (400°F) for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Pan fry. If you are more for convenience and taste, pan fry the patties with oil until they are nicely crispy outside and juicy inside (not raw!).
Air fry. The air fryer is a great alternative to oven and pan; it makes low fat cooking incredibly quick and tasty! All you should do is to place the chicken meatballs in the basket of your hot air fryer and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes at 190°C (or 375°F).

Storing and freezing chicken meatballs

Homemade chicken meatballs taste delicious straight from the oven (replace with pan or air fryer) or the next days. This makes the dish great for meal prepping! But before storing, you will need to let the patties cool completely at room temperature.

In the fridge. Once they have cooled, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for a maximum of 2 days.
In the freezer. For a longer storage, let cool and freeze in a freezer-safe container or zipping bags for up to 2 months. Before consuming, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or reheat directly in the oven (or air fryer) until warmed through.

Serving ideas

With pasta or in a wrap, this is a versatile recipe with endless opportunities. Here are some ideas on how you can serve these irresistible homemade chicken meatballs.

With pasta. What is better than a huge serving of spaghetti with tomato sauce and tender meatballs? Chef tip, try it with Parmesan cheese on top!
In salads. Add a fresh twist by serving your patties in a salad full of goodness. Toss them with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and vinaigrette for a refreshing and nutritious meal.
For sandwiches and sliders. Use these meatballs to stuff your next sandwich or slider, along with crisp lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and some mayo or ketchup.
In wraps. Wrap the patties in a warm tortilla with some veggies, avocado and your favorite sauce. The perfect lunch to-go!
With potatoes and Fries. For a fast food experience, enjoy alongside French fries or roasted potatoes (why not trying my low calorie French fries?)

FAQ – Frequently asked question

Can I make meatballs with turkey?

Of course, I often make mine like that! All you should do is replacing ground chicken with ground turkey, all other ingredients and recipe directions will stay the same.

Can I replace egg with egg whites?

I do not recommend substituting egg with egg whites. I have tried this already, but unfortunately my chicken meatballs weren’t as juicy and tasty. What is more, egg whites do not bind that much and your meat mixture will likely fall apart.

Can I air fry chicken meatballs?

Yes, air fryer chicken meatballs are quick and delicious. Just place the patties in the basket of your hot air fryer and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes at 190°C (or 375°F).