Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
These Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are an Italian dinner that’s ready in no time at all. Seasoned meatballs with Panko crumbs for that crunch you crave when you eat Chicken Parmesan. Serve these over noodles with garlic bread and a salad for a delicious dinner.
CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS
Earlier this week I had a run in with death. I was waiting at the gate of the airport getting ready to take off. It was stormy and dark as Florida most often is at least one time a day. I was on my laptop when an older lady next to me motioned out the window and said, “Is it snowing? What is that?”
What she was looking at and mistaking for snow was debris flying around in a tornado coming straight towards us at the gate. It was as wide as the the window making it hard to depict what it was. I couldn’t see the sides, but immediate terror struck me and I grabbed my stuff and started running.
I grew up watching the Wizard of Oz on repeat and tornadoes are one of my absolute worst fears. I’ve had nightmares about them since I was little.
There were papers and dust flying all around the terminal making it hard to see. Somehow, I managed to call my husband while running. He told me to get to a bathroom and to a lower level. By now the tornado sirens were sounding and the lights were flickering on and off. I turned the corner to the bathroom to see bodies on bodies of people overflowing out of the bathroom entrance like sardines. Obviously not an option.
I kept running to the center of the building by security and ended up in a little inlet in the wall huddled with a couple from Indiana who said they are used to this and do it all the time where they’re from. The tornado passed in a couple of minutes and luckily no major damage except for cargo tossed all over the tarmac (including my suitcase which was completely soaked with stuff hanging out).
I’ve never been so scared in my life and still get shaky thinking about what happened.
My last meal before I left for the airport were these Chicken Parmesan Meatballs. I’ve made them a couple of times to get them just right.
There are a few chicken recipes I always have on repeat just because my family loves them and they’re easy: this One-Pan Broccoli Chicken and Rice, these Baked Chicken Chimichangas, and Kimi’s Parmesan Chicken. So these Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are a great way to switch up one of our favorite meals.
What everyone loves about Chicken Parmesan is the crunchy outside. Panko breadcrumbs gives it that crunchy bite and helps give the meatballs and little more structure inside. I didn’t want to cover these with cheese because they’re so pretty by themselves.
WHERE CAN I FIND PANKO BREADCRUMBS?
Panko Breadcrumbs are Japanese style breadcrumbs and are crunchier than regular breadcrumbs. They are made from bread without the crust and have a light and airy texture great for frying foods or in this case faux-frying our Chicken Parmesan Meatballs so they have that crunchy texture. They can be found right next to the regular breadcrumbs at your grocery store.
I use this Calphalon 12-inch pan for most of my one-pan dishes and it’s oven safe. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet you can brown the meatballs and then transfer it to an oven safe baking dish.
HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS
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In a large bowl, mix together the chicken, egg, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, Italian seasonings, salt, pepper, and red pepper. Roll into 1 1/2 inch balls.
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Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Roll half of the meatballs in Panko breadcrumbs and brown them on each side in the oil. Remove from the pan and set aside. Wipe out any Panko breadcrumbs and heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Roll the remaining meatballs in Panko breadcrumbs and brown on each side. Remove from pan.
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour marinara sauce in the skillet and place the meatballs on top of the sauce. Bake meatballs for 20 minutes sprinkling the mozzarella on top for the last 5 minutes of baking. Garnish with basil and serve over pasta.
OTHER RECIPES:
- Chicken Salad recipe
- Italian Meatball Recipe
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Easy Baked Ziti
- Chicken Parmesan Roll Ups
- Pioneer Woman Meatloaf
- Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
- Oven Fried Chicken
- Italian Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs, (and about 3/4 cup more breadcrumbs for rolling later)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil, , divided
- 1 (26 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 2 tablespoons basil, torn, (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the chicken, egg, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, Italian seasonings, salt, pepper, and red pepper. Roll into 1 1/2 inch balls.
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Roll half of the meatballs in Panko breadcrumbs and brown them on each side in the oil. Add more oil if needed as you go. Remove from the pan and set aside. Wipe out any Panko breadcrumbs and heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Roll the remaining meatballs in Panko breadcrumbs and brown on each side. Remove from pan.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour marinara sauce in the oven-safe skillet (or any baking dish will do) and place the meatballs on top of the sauce. Bake meatballs for 20 minutes sprinkling the mozzarella on top for the last 5 minutes of baking. Garnish with basil and serve over pasta.
LOVE this recipe!! So easy to make, the chicken meatballs were flavorful, I will be making these again.
Thank you!
Stumbled on this recipe awhile ago, but with just my husband (who doesn’t like meatballs) and I at home, I didn’t have an occasion to make them. Saved the recipe and made them when some of our kids were in town visiting and they were a major hit – with the kids, grand kids, and picky hubby! Going on a family vacation this week and making ahead and freezing these for a quick and easy meatball sub night for when it’s my turn to cook. Just when I think I’ve cooked everything in the world, I stumble on a great new recipe like this! Thanks Christy!
Aw that makes me happy!
I have been making this for a few years now & it’s so delicious! My family LOVES IT! Let’s be honest, more then most of Christy’s recipes are fabulous & easy to make!! ☺️☺️
Awww thanks Amy!
One of my new “go-to” recipes! LOVE IT!
AWesome!
Would love to make some in advance for my daughter who is expecting her first child. Would I g be e able to freeze this dish?
Yes! It freezes great.
Would these work with Alfredo with Angel hair pasta?? They sound amazing!!
Absolutely!
This was absolutely delicious ! I had to get up from the table to leave a review so I wouldn’t forget! 10/10, it’s incredible.
That’s very kind of you. Thank you.
Christiel! I have been following you for many years! Our family lives in Abbotsford B.C. ( close to Vancouver) Canada! These Chicken Parmesan meatballs were Amazing!! I have your Cookbook as well!, so many recipes I make for company! We Love Your recipes, thank you for sharing all of your wins with us🥰
Cathy
Aw thank you Cathy! That means the world to me.
Thank you for posting such a crowd-pleasing recipe!
Thank yoU!
Sounds delicious. We try to avoid fried foods. Is it possible to bake the meatballs
These are not “fried”. Two tablespoons of olive oil just gives them a sear then they are finished in the oven to bake.
These meatballs were delicious! Can’t wait to make again.
Thank you!
How long would you cook these in an air fryer for before putting them in the oven?
I haven’t tried it but I would think you could just finish them in the air fryer. No need to go to the oven.