Baked Chicken Meatballs are tender, juicy, and flavorful (no dry meatballs here!). Made in just 45 minutes using simple ingredients, these chicken bites are great for a quick and easy lunch, dinner, and anything in between. The whole family will love them!
These Chicken Meatballs really couldn’t be any easier to make: just combine the ingredients, shape, and bake! You can also cook them even faster in the air fryer. They’re freezer-friendly and can be served just for any occasion. Pair them with marinara sauce for dipping or serve alongside pasta or roasted vegetables for a healthy and satisfying meal.
Why You'll Love these Chicken Meatballs
- Quick and easy to make. In a time crunch? These chicken meatballs are easy to make following a few simple steps. They take only 20 minutes to prep from scratch and then another 25 minutes in the oven!
- Loaded with flavor. These chicken meatballs are juicy and bursting with flavor from the simple combination of herbs and spices in this recipe. Plus, you can easily customize the flavor by switching with your favorite seasonings.
- Better than store-bought. Once you make these chicken meatballs, you’ll never be tempted to buy them from the freezer aisle again. The superior, wholesome ingredients and easy preparation makes them the better choice every time. No artificial ingredients or flavors here!
- Super versatile. These tasty chicken meatballs can pull triple duty — acting as an entree, side, or appetizer depending on the occasion and what you choose to serve with them!
- Great for meal prep. You can make a big batch of these baked chicken meatballs and store them in the fridge or freezer for easy meal prep throughout the week. Store them in meal prep containers along with Broccoli Rice and Oven Roasted Vegetables for easy to heat work lunches.
Ingredient Notes
To make these easy Chicken Meatballs, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):
- ground chicken - if you don’t have chicken on hand, you can use ground turkey or ground beef and make different kind of meatballs.
- garlic - you can save a few minutes by using pre-minced garlic. Just substitute 1 teaspoon per clove.
- onion - white or yellow onions work best for this recipe, but you can use whatever kind of onion you have on hand.
- breadcrumbs - homemade or store-bought breadcrumbs will both work. If you use seasoned breadcrumbs, adjust the amount of seasoning you add to the meatballs.
- egg - out of eggs? Whisk 3 tablespoons of aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) and use it in place of each egg.
- oil - you can use your favorite cooking oil here, whether it’s olive, avocado, or vegetable oil.
- Italian seasoning - you can make your own Italian seasoning by blending rosemary, basil, thyme, oregano, and marjoram, or use a combination of whichever ones you have on hand.
- salt and pepper
- parsley - if you don’t have fresh parsley on hand, you can swap it for a similar soft herb like cilantro, basil, dill, or fennel. The flavor will differ based on what you choose.
- marinara sauce - you can use homemade marinara sauce or store-bought, or substitute it altogether for your favorite dipping sauce.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowl, and quarter sheet baking pan (sheet pan).
How to Make the Best Chicken Meatballs
- Marinate chicken. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken with garlic, onion, ginger, breadcrumbs, egg, oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well to form into a uniform consistency. Set aside for at least 15 minutes or refrigerate overnight to allow all the flavors to infuse into the meat.
- Shape meatballs. Line a quarter sheet baking pan with parchment paper. Take 2 spoonfuls of chicken mixture at a time and roll into meatballs. Transfer meatballs onto the lined baking sheet. Lightly coat with some cooking oil spray to keep them from sticking, if needed.
- Bake. Bake in a 400F preheated oven until fully cooked through (when internal temperature reaches 165F), about 25 minutes.
- Serve. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a side of marinara sauce, if desired.
How to Cook Chicken Meatballs in the Air Fryer
Place the chicken meatballs in a single layer into the air fryer basket and lightly coat with some cooking oil spray to keep them from sticking. Air fry the meatballs at 350F for 10-13 minutes until browned nicely and fully cooked through, gently shaking the basket halfway during cooking to brown evenly. The internal temperature for the chicken should reach 165F as read on a meat thermometer. You will have to cook in multiple batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
Recipe Variations
- Spice it up. Add some heat to your chicken meatballs by adding red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños to the ground chicken mixture. Then, serve the meatballs with a side of cooling Tzatziki Sauce or Ranch Dip to balance the heat.
- Add cheese. Stuff your chicken meatballs with mozzarella or feta cheese before cooking for an extra gooey and savory surprise.
- Asian-style. Give your chicken meatballs an Asian twist by adding ginger, garlic, and soy sauce to your mixture. See our Sesame Chicken Meatballs for instructions. Serve with a side of Steamed Rice or in lettuce wraps with crunchy veggies like shredded carrots and cucumber.
- Mediterranean-style. Season your chicken meatballs with herbs like thyme, rosemary, and lemon zest for a fresh and bright flavor. Drizzle with Tahini Sauce and serve with a side of Greek Salad or Oven Roasted Vegetables drizzled with olive oil.
How to Serve
Chicken meatballs are a great entree that can be paired well with a variety of sides such as roasted vegetables, salads, pasta, or grains. Some our favorites include:
- Balsamic Roasted Broccoli
- Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad
- Duchess Potatoes
- Quinoa
- Green Beans Almondine
- Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes
- Broccoli Rice
Some other ways to serve these baked chicken meatballs include:
- As an appetizer. Serve chicken meatballs as a delicious appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce such as Marinara Sauce or Tzatziki Sauce. Consider serving them on a platter with toothpicks for easy serving.
- Over pasta. Chicken meatballs pair well with spaghetti or other pasta and can be served with your favorite tomato-based sauce or a creamy alfredo sauce. Try it with our Creamy Tomato Pasta or Fettuccine Alfredo.
- In a sandwich. Make a delicious meatball sub or sandwich by placing chicken meatballs on a crusty roll with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. We love it in our French Baguettes or Ciabatta Rolls.
- In a grain bowl. Serve chicken meatballs in a grain bowl with rice or quinoa and your favorite vegetables. Drizzle with sauce or a dressing for added flavor.
- On top of salad. Top a bed of greens with chicken meatballs for a healthy, protein-packed salad. Add your favorite salad dressing and toppings like croutons or Parmesan cheese. Try with Caesar Salad or Mediterranean Couscous Salad.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Use cold ingredients. Keeping your ground chicken and other ingredients cold will help to prevent the mixture from becoming too soft and sticky. This makes it easier to form the meatballs and helps them hold their shape while cooking.
- Mix the ingredients gently. Overmixing can lead to tough meatballs. Use a light touch and mix the ingredients until just combined.
- Use a cookie scoop. A cookie scoop or ice cream scoop can help you form evenly sized meatballs quickly and easily.
- Customize the flavor. You can add different spices and mix-ins to adjust the flavor of these chicken meatballs to your liking! Play with different seasonings to get exactly what you want, whether it’s a dumpling-inspired meatball or a sweet-n-savory one. See our Recipe Variations above for more ideas.
- Smooth things out. Some people aren’t a fan of chunks in their meatballs, which is totally understandable. If you’re in that camp, you can get the same flavor with a smoother, chunk-less texture by swapping the minced onion and garlic for powder form, and using a powdered Italian seasoning blend instead of dried herbs.
- Don't overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding the pan can cause the meatballs to steam instead of brown. Leave some space between each meatball to ensure even cooking.
- Check for doneness. Chicken meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 165°F to be safe to eat. Use an meat thermometer to check for doneness.
- Make ahead and freeze for later. These chicken meatballs are great for meal prep! They last for up to 3 months, so you can reheat them and pack them for lunch, use them as an easy appetizer, or heat them up for a quick dinner entree.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
How to Store
Refrigerate cooked meatballs in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
How to Reheat
You can reheat leftover meatballs in the oven, air fryer, stovetop, or microwave.
- Oven: Reheat in the oven 350F for 10-15 minutes.
- Air fryer: Reheat in the air fryer at 350F for 5-10 minutes.
- Stovetop: Heat a small amount of oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken meatballs and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
- Microwave: Reheat in the microwave on medium power for 30-60 seconds until heated through.
Note: Always make sure the internal temperature of the chicken meatballs reaches 165°F when reheating to ensure they are safe to eat.
How to Freeze
Allow the meatballs to cool completely and then transfer them to a lined baking sheet. Freeze for one hour uncovered or until completely frozen, then transfer the frozen meatballs to a freezer bag. Reheat straight from frozen in the oven or air fryer at 350F for about 15 minutes (oven) or 10 minutes (air fryer).
More Ground Poultry Recipes
- 15 Best Ground Turkey Recipes
- Sesame Chicken Meatballs
- Mediterranean Chicken Patties
- Thai Turkey Meatballs in Coconut Curry
- Ground Turkey Pasta Bake
- Sweet Chili Turkey Meatballs
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