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Easy Baked Chicken Meatballs Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 142 reviews

These Easy Baked Chicken Meatballs are tender, flavorful, and simple to prepare. Made with lean ground chicken and a blend of herbs, Parmesan cheese, and a zesty lemon butter sauce, they bake to perfection in the oven for a healthy, delicious meal. Perfect for serving over pasta or zucchini noodles and great for meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatballs

  • 2 pounds (907g) ground chicken (94% lean)
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 Tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 3/4 cup (84g) breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

Lemon Herb Butter Sauce

  • 1/4 cup (56g; 4 Tbsp) unsalted butter
  • 2 Tablespoons (30ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh oregano leaves
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional for serving: crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or spraying it with nonstick spray. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
  2. Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, egg, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, onion powder, dried oregano, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix thoroughly using a spoon or spatula until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
  3. Form Meatballs: Scoop approximately 2 tablespoons (30–35g) of the meat mixture and roll it into a ball using your hands. Place each formed meatball on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all the mixture is used, yielding around 35 meatballs.
  4. Bake Meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the meatballs for 20 minutes or until cooked through. To ensure safety and doneness, insert an instant-read thermometer into the center of a meatball; it should read 165°F (74°C).
  5. Prepare Lemon Herb Butter Sauce: While the meatballs bake, melt the butter and lemon juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. When fully melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally to prevent the garlic from browning. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the finely chopped fresh parsley, thyme, oregano, and a pinch of salt.
  6. Coat Meatballs: Once meatballs are out of the oven, brush or spoon the lemon herb butter sauce over them generously. Reserve some of the sauce for serving alongside, if desired. For a bit of heat, sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes on top.
  7. Serve: Serve the warm meatballs with the remaining herb butter sauce. These meatballs pair wonderfully with pasta or zucchini noodles for a satisfying meal.
  8. Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

  • Use lean ground chicken (94%) for the best texture and flavor.
  • Breadcrumbs help bind the meatballs but you can use gluten-free breadcrumbs if desired for a gluten-free option.
  • The lemon herb butter sauce adds bright flavor; don’t skip it.
  • Meatballs can be frozen cooked or uncooked for future meals.
  • Measure the internal temperature with a thermometer to ensure meatballs are safely cooked.
  • For a lower fat option, reduce butter in the sauce or substitute olive oil, though butter adds flavor.

Keywords: baked chicken meatballs, easy chicken meatballs, lemon herb butter sauce, healthy meatballs, dinner recipe, low fat chicken meatballs

Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/easy-baked-chicken-meatballs-recipe/