Juicy Baked Chicken Meatballs
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Servings
30 cocktail meatballs
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Calories
40 kcal
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Course
Side Dish, Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Juicy Baked Chicken Meatballs
Description
The recipe involves mixing ground chicken with finely grated yellow onion, minced garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, panko breadcrumbs, and freshly grated Parmesan. Grated onion contributes moisture, helping keep the meatballs soft, while panko breadcrumbs add lightness to the texture.
Careful mixing ensures ingredients are combined without overworking the meat, which could lead to dryness. The meatballs are shaped into small portions, spaced on a baking tray greased with olive oil, and sprayed on top to promote browning.
Baked at 400°F for about 18 to 20 minutes until browned but still moist inside, these meatballs have a tender and juicy consistency. Removing them from the oven promptly at the start of browning prevents excess drying. This baking method avoids frying, resulting in a lighter dish while retaining robust taste and moistness.
The seasoning profile includes a mild heat from cayenne alongside herbs and garlic, enhanced by savory Parmesan. These meatballs suit appetizers, meal additions, or snacks.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 yellow onion grated, medium
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon parsley fine chopped
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper adjust to taste, cracked
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- olive oil to spray
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 400°F. Into a bowl add ground chicken, and grated onion directly into the bowl.
- Add the rest of the ingredients minced garlic, parsley, egg, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper to taste, panko breadcrumbs, and freshly grated parmesan cheese.
- Use your hands or a spatula to mix everything.
- Do not over work meat. It will result in dry meatballs. Mix until ingredients just get blended.
- Using a small scoop or tablespoon portion out meatballs. Gently roll or shape meatballs.
- Spray the baking tray with olive oil. Place meatballs directly on a greased baking tray or use a wire rack (greased well) to arrange meatballs.
- Place meatballs ½ to 1 inch apart. Generously spray olive oil on top of all meatballs.
- Bake in preheated oven at 400°F for 18 to 20 minutes or until meatballs are browned and cooked.Tip: Remove from oven as soon as you see meatballs are beginning to brown. You want meatballs to be juicy and soft. Overcooking or even leaving it for 2 to 3 minutes in the oven once cooked will tend to dry meatballs.
- Allow meatballs to rest for 3 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and parmesan cheese powder. Serve immediately.
- Baked chicken meatballs can be served with anything! As an appetizer with a sauce on the side, as main stirred with spaghetti or any of your favorite pasta.
Notes
- Nutrition estimates are for one small meatball; the recipe yields about 30 cocktail-size meatballs using a small scoop.
- Use fresh grated onion to keep the meatballs moist; the onion's juice soaks into the breadcrumbs, preventing dryness.
- Prefer panko breadcrumbs; if unavailable, pulse sandwich bread to breadcrumbs as a substitute for better texture than regular breadcrumbs.
- Mix ingredients gently and only until blended to avoid dry, tough meatballs.
- Remove meatballs from the oven as soon as they start browning to retain juiciness; overbaking will cause dryness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 30cocktail meatballs
Amount Per Serving
Calories 40 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 40kcal | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 20mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 130mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 96mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 61IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 28mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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