Baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

chicken parmesan meatballs in a sauce in a skillet

Baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

These easy chicken meatballs are baked in a creamy tomato sauce with plenty of cheese to create a meal that everyone will love!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 35

Total Time 45

Servings servings (about 12 large meatballs with sauce)

Calories 468kcal

Author Ashley C.

Ingredients

For the sauce:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 clove garlic minced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 can (28 ounce) crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup heavy cream

For the meatballs:

1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
3 ounces baby spinach chopped into small pieces
1/3 cup dried panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup diced onion
1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese divided
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 cloves garlic minced
1 egg lightly beaten
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 ounces shredded mozzarella
minced fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

To make the sauce:

Heat olive oil in a large skillet pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste, garlic, parsley, basil, oregano and red pepper flakes and mix until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the crushed tomatoes, stir, lower heat to simmer and cook about 6 to 8 minutes, or until the sauce is thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the cream.

To make the meatballs:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, spinach, bread crumbs, onion, 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, garlic and egg. Stir together with a fork then knead gently with your hands until evenly combined. Form the mixture into meatballs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
Heat olive oil in another medium or large skillet pan over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs to the pan in a single layer. Let cook, turning occasionally, until all sides are browned. (They will not be cooked all the way through because they will finish cooking when baked.) Place the meatballs in the pan with the tomato sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella and remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese over the top. Bake until the cheese is melted and the meatballs are cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven, garnish with fresh basil and serve.

Notes

*Nutritional info is per serving.

Gluten Free Substitution: You can omit the bread crumbs or use gluten free bread crumbs to make it gluten free or lower carb count.

Storing: Any leftover chicken parmesan meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days before reheating and serving.

Freezing: You can freeze cooked or raw meatballs by placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freezing until solid. Once fully frozen, add to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 4 months.

Nutrition