Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

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Chicken Parmesan Meatballs bring all the familiar cozy flavors wrapped up into a fun, easy-to-eat format that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. This simple, oven-baked dish makes flavorful meatballs that the whole family will enjoy.

chicken parmesan meatballs with melted cheese in a white baking dish.

Table of Contents

I love when classic recipes are reimagined, as evidenced by our Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan and Easy Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Recipe. This chicken parmesan meatballs recipe takes it one step further, because now you can have a beloved favorite as an easy dinner but also an appetizer option too.

This easy chicken parmesan meatballs recipe is tender chicken meatballs baked to golden perfection, smothered in a rich marinara sauce, and then crowned with melty mozzarella cheese for creamy richness.

Yet it’s not just a regular chicken meatballs. Each seasoned chicken meatball is packed with breadcrumbs, cheese, onion, garlic and fresh parsley. These bite-sized beauties are bursting with flavor.

It’s like all the best parts of traditional chicken parmesan in a small more versatile fashion. Serve these over pasta, with mashed potatoes, in a sub, or as an appetizer at your next gathering.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flavor-Packed Bites – Each meatball soaks up the savory blend of herbs, garlic, and parmesan, delivering that rich tomato and melted mozzarella combo in every single bite.
Simple yet Impressive – Transforming chicken parmesan into meatballs is a fresh and delicious twist, yet easy enough for cooks of any skill level to pull off with confidence.
Versatile – Serve them with pasta, make meatball subs, or as a party appetizer for gatherings or game day. These meatballs flex to suit many occasions without losing their signature charm.
Meal Prep Option – Make these in advance and freeze for later.

Total Time: 55 Minutes

Serves: 25 Meatballs

Ingredients and Notes

As always, the full ingredients and recipe is on the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

ingredients on a table to make Chicken Parmesan Meatballs.

Ground Chicken – I like to use lean ground chicken, yet you can swap in ground turkey or even a mix of ground pork for more richness.
Seasoning – I use salt, black pepper, paprika, red pepper flakes and fresh parsley. You can use Italian seasoning and garlic powder if you wish.
Breadcrumbs – I like to use either Italian-style bread crumbs or Panko breadcrumbs.
Shredded Cheese – I use parmesan in the meatballs and gooey mozzarella on top. I like to use fresh mozzarella when I have it on hand.
Marinara Sauce – Feel free to try a spicy arrabbiata if you want a little heat, or use a homemade sauce or pasta sauce.

Flavor Variations and Substitutions

Add Veggies:
Mix finely chopped spinach or grated zucchini into the meatball mixture for a subtle veggie boost.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes:
Chop sun-dried tomatoes finely and mix them into the meatballs or sauce for bursts of tangy richness.
Swap Meat:
You could substitute the ground chicken for ground turkey when making this chicken meatball recipe.

Tips for Success

A little moisture helps the meatballs stay tender. If the mixture seems too dry, consider adding a splash of milk or broth.
Boost the flavor with fresh basil alongside the parsley, mixed into the marinara sauce, or sprinkle some on top when serving.
Ground chicken can be a bit sticky when forming meatballs. Prevent this by either wearing gloves, or putting a little olive oil or water on your hands.
For evenly shaped meatballs, use a cookie scoop or spoon.

How to Make Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

chicken parmesan meatballs mixture in a mixing bowl.

STEP 1 – Preheat the oven to 375F. Mix all the ingredients for the meatballs in a large bowl. Stir well and use your hands to combine ingredients.

uncooked chicken parmesan meatballs in a white baking dish.

STEP 2 – Make 1-inch thick meatballs with the ground chicken mixture, and place them into a baking dish.

baked chicken parmesan meatballs in a white baking dish.

STEP 3 – Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

unbaked chicken parmesan meatballs in a white casserole dish with shredded cheese on top.

STEP 4 – Remove the browned meatballs from the pan, pour 2 cups of pasta sauce on the bottom. Put the meatballs on top of the sauce, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and parmesan on top of the meatballs.

Savory homemade chicken parmesan meatballs with melted cheese in a rich tomato sauce.

STEP 5 – Bring them back to the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese has melted. Serve warm with your favorite side dish.

How to Make Chicken Meatballs Ahead of Time

Chicken parmesan meatballs can easily be made up to 24 hours ahead of time.

Assemble the meatballs as per the directions.
Refrigerate them for a few hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
When you want to cook, bake as directed.

How to Serve Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

There’s many ways to enjoy chicken parm meatballs, either fresh or when serving the leftover meatballs.

Over Pasta or Rice: Serve over rice or your favorite pasta such as spaghetti or fettuccini. Also serve with garlic bread or our Easy Air Fryer Garlic Toast.
Meatball Sub Sandwich: Cut open a hoagie roll or baguette and top with the meatballs. You can add additional marinara sauce and more melted mozzarella if you’d like. Put it under the broiler briefly to get it all toasty.
On a Pizza: These meatballs make a great pizza topping.
As an Appetizer: Serve chicken parmesan meatballs with toothpicks at a party or gathering and watch them go fast.

chicken parmesan meatballs with melted cheese on top.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover chicken parmesan meatballs in an airtight contianer and refrigerate for 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through.

Make Ahead and Freezing

Make-Ahead: Assemble the meatballs and refrigerate them for a few hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
Freezing: Freeze pre-baked meatballs for easy future meals. Thaw before adding to the casserole.

Recipe FAQ

Can I use pre-cooked chicken for these meatballs?

Pre-cooked chicken is not recommended as it can create a dry, crumbly texture. Using raw ground chicken ensures the meatballs stay moist and tender.

How do you prevent meatballs from falling apart?

The eggs and breadcrumbs in the mixture act as binders. Also make sure to not overmix the meat mixture to help keep meatballs intact during cooking.

More Meatball Recipes

If you’ve tried these Chicken Parmesan Meatballs please let me know how it went in the comments below. Also consider leaving a 🌟 star rating while you’re here. Thanks!

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs bring all the familiar cozy flavors of traditional chicken parmesan wrapped up into an easy-to-eat format that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin

Prep Time: 25

Cook Time: 30

Total Time: 55

Servings: meatballs

Course: Main Dishes

Cuisine: American

Author: Tammi

Ingredients

FOR THE MEATBALLS

1 lb ground chicken
½ yellow onion (minced)
1 garlic cloves (minced)
2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
1 tsp salt
1 egg
½ cup breadcrumbs
½ cup shredded parmesan
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp red pepper flakes
½ tsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil

FOR THE CASSEROLE

2 cups marinara sauce (or pasta sauce)
½ cup shredded mozzarella
¾ cup shredded parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375F.
Mix all the ingredients for the meatballs in a large bowl. Stir well and use your hands to combine ingredients.
Make 1-inch thick meatballs and place them into a baking pan.
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove them from the pan,
Add 2 cups of marinara sauce or pasta sauce, then the mozzarella and parmesan to cover.
Bring them back to the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Serve warm with your favorite side dish.

Video

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for 4-5 days.
Make-Ahead: Assemble the meatballs and refrigerate them for a few hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld.