By Becky Hardin
Updated Oct 1, 2025
I can’t get over how these delicious Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are so simple to make! I’ve taken ground chicken and mixed it with cheese, basil, and garlic, and then smothered them in tangy marinara sauce. So satisfying and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
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Easy Chicken Parmesan Meatball Recipe
I’ve taken two of my favorite Italian classics and combined them into one delicious dish, so I get all the amazing flavors of chicken Parmesan, in a meatball. I love how using ground chicken gives me juicy meatballs that melt in my mouth. Oven-baked on one pan, these little balls turn out soft and tender and ready to be covered in my favorite marinara sauce.
Tips for Beginners
- Get uniform, consistent meatballs (and cleaner hands) . Use a 2 or 3 tbsp sized cookie scoop. This ensures that the meatballs are the same size and bake evenly.
- Be gentle when forming your meatballs . Don’t pack the meatballs too tightly, or they will be tough. A lighter touch gives you the perfect texture.
- Skip oiling the baking sheet. Line it with parchment paper instead. Before baking, spray the meatballs with olive oil cooking spray to help them crisp up in the oven.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 large egg
- ▢ ¾ cup breadcrumbs use gluten free if required
- ▢ ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ▢ ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ▢ 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- ▢ 1 tsp kosher salt
- ▢ ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ▢ 1 lb. ground chicken use lean ground beef, pork, turkey, or a combination of ground meats
- ▢ 2 tbsp olive oil
- ▢ marinara sauce store bought or homemade , for serving
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Set aside a baking sheet.
- In a large bowl, whisk the egg until beaten. Add the breadcrumbs, cheeses, basil, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper flakes. Mix to combine. 1 large egg, ¾ cup breadcrumbs, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning, 1 tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- Add the ground chicken and gently mix until the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the meat. 1 lb. ground chicken
- Drizzle the olive oil over the pan and rub it around with your hands (this will also coat your hands with olive oil to make rolling the meatballs easier). 2 tbsp olive oil
- Portion out ¼ cup sized meatballs and roll into smooth balls. Place onto the oiled baking sheet and roll them in oil.
- Bake the meatballs for 20-22 minutes, or until the internal temperature registers 165°F on an instant read thermometer.
- While the meatballs cook, warm the marinara sauce in a large saucepan set over medium heat. Toss the cooked meatballs in the sauce and serve with additional Parmesan and parsley. marinara sauce
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Instant Read Meat Thermometer Optional
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Chicken Parmesan Meatballs Step by Step
Gather your ingredients and prepare a baking sheet : Preheat the oven to 400°F. Set aside a baking sheet.
Prepare the seasoning : In a large bowl, whisk 1 egg until beaten, and then add ¾ cup breadcrumbs, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning, 1 tsp kosher salt, and ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes. Mix to combine all the ingredients.
Add the chicken: Add 1 lb. of ground chicken to the bowl and gently mix until the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout.
Grease the pan : Drizzle 2 tbsp of olive oil over the pan and rub it with your hands so it is easier to roll the meatballs.
Make the meatballs and bake: Use a ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop the ground chicken out of the bowl and then roll into smooth balls. Place the balls onto the oiled baking sheet and roll them in the oil.
Bake the meatballs for 20-22 minutes, or until the internal temperature registers 165°F on an instant read thermometer.
Get the marinara sauce ready : Warm the marinara sauce in a large saucepan set over medium heat.
Toss and serve: Toss the cooked meatballs in the sauce and serve with additional Parmesan and parsley or basil.
How to Store
Store meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To freeze meatballs, prepare them through step 6. Place cooled meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to serve, allow the meatballs to thaw in the refrigerator, reheat in the oven, and serve tossed in warm sauce.
Serving Suggestions
These meatballs are great over pasta, with rice, or even mashed potatoes . You can serve them up with all kinds of sides. Twice baked potatoes would taste great, as would a side of air fryer zucchini or a kale salad to lighten the meal.
more meatball recipes to love
Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Sheet Pan Party Meatballs
Cranberry Meatballs (Crockpot Recipe)
Chicken Parmesan Meatballs Recipe
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Instant Read Meat Thermometer Optional
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup breadcrumbs use gluten free if required
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 lb. ground chicken use lean ground beef, pork, turkey, or a combination of ground meats
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- marinara sauce store bought or homemade , for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Set aside a baking sheet.
- In a large bowl, whisk the egg until beaten. Add the breadcrumbs, cheeses, basil, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper flakes. Mix to combine. 1 large egg, ¾ cup breadcrumbs, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning, 1 tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- Add the ground chicken and gently mix until the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the meat. 1 lb. ground chicken
- Drizzle the olive oil over the pan and rub it around with your hands (this will also coat your hands with olive oil to make rolling the meatballs easier). 2 tbsp olive oil
- Portion out ¼ cup sized meatballs and roll into smooth balls. Place onto the oiled baking sheet and roll them in oil.
- Bake the meatballs for 20-22 minutes, or until the internal temperature registers 165°F on an instant read thermometer.
- While the meatballs cook, warm the marinara sauce in a large saucepan set over medium heat. Toss the cooked meatballs in the sauce and serve with additional Parmesan and parsley. marinara sauce
Video
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
