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These Italian Chicken Meatballs are juicy, tender, and full of classic Italian flavor. Made with ground chicken, herbs, and Parmesan cheese, they’re lighter than traditional meatballs but still hearty enough for pasta, subs, or meal prep.
Italian chicken meatballs are a delicious twist on a classic favorite. Using ground chicken keeps them lighter while still giving you big flavor thanks to garlic, herbs, and Parmesan cheese. They bake up tender and juicy every time.

This easy meatball recipe comes together super fast with simple ingredients and is incredibly versatile. You can serve them with pasta and marinara, put them into sandwiches to make Meatball Subs, or enjoy them on their own for an easy dinner the whole family will love.

Ingredients You’ll Need
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- Ground Chicken
- Italian Breadcrumbs
- Parmesan Cheese
- Garlic
- Egg
- Italian Seasoning you can use store bought or make your own Homemade Italian Seasoning blend.
- Salt & Pepper
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Marinara Sauce
I like to toss these meatballs with marinara sauce and have in a crockpot ready for a get together. But you can easily toss them with warm sauce and serve for dinner.


Italian Chicken Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 4 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Marinara Sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400º F.
- Combine all of the ingredients except the marinara sauce in a large bowl.1 pound ground chicken, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 4 cloves garlic, 1 cup Italian bread crumbs, 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 egg
- Shape into golf-ball sized balls. Place in a baking sheet.
- Bake for 12 minutes.
- Place meatballs and sauce in a crockpot or large pot to keep them warm and heat the sauce.Marinara Sauce
- Set on warm until ready to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How To Make Italian Chicken Meatballs
- Mix. In a bowl mix together all of the ingredients for the meatballs, just leave out the actual marinara sauce. Using your hands really helps make sure everything is well combined and evenly blended.
- Shape. Form them into golf ball sized meatballs and place on a baking sheet. You can use a cookie scoop to ensure they are all the same size, and cook in the same amount of time.
- Bake. Bake in a hot oven for about 15 minutes, until they are cooked through. They are chicken, so you need the internal temperature to be 165º F.
- Sauce. Once the meatballs are cooked, add them to a crockpot or stockpot filled with marinara sauce. Heat over low to warm the sauce until you are ready to serve.


Serving Suggestions
- Serve with toothpicks in a crockpot for a party.
- Serve on hot dog or sub buns for sandwiches
- Serve over pasta for a complete meal
- Turn into Spaghetti & Meatball Pizza

Recipe Variations
Meatballs are super versatile and you can flavor them any way you like, and mix up the sauce!
- Make Barbecue Chicken Meatballs – just eliminate the Italian seasoning called for and use plain breadcrumbs.
- Craving Asian food? These Asian Chicken Meatballs are a fun twist.
- Skip the marinara sauce and serve with Canes Sauce or another delicious dipping sauce.
- Turn these into Buffalo Chicken Meatballs – use plain breadcrumbs, skip the Italian seasoning, mix in 1 tsp of celery salt and a packet of ranch dressing mix. Then after they are baked toss with your favorite buffalo sauce.

Storage
Leftovers can be store in an airtight container for 4-5 days in the fridge. You can reheat in the crockpot, microwave or on the stovetop.
Freezing
Meatballs are great to make ahead. You can freeze baked meatballs in a freezer safe plastic bag. I wait to add the sauce until you you reheat the meatballs. Then you can reheat in the sauce in a crockpot or you can bake partially thawed meatballs in a 350º F oven, until they are warmed through.













I’ve been looking for a good chicken meatball recipe. . .these will be making an appearance in my kitchen soon!
Nothing better than popping these little delights into your mouth. I bet they did not last long. TASTY!!!!
How come it takes me hours to make meatballs? I think I may be the slowest meatball roller in the whole wide world! LOL. Yours are so perfect, though. I want to take a bite. NOW.
I love this recipe. It’s so fast and easy, and I’m able to serve it to my friends who are watching their cholesterol intake WITHOUT sacrificing flavor.
So great as an app or part of dinner. Love that versatility!
I will definitely be making these at the next party we have!!
These meatballs are perfect appetizer or dinner! So flavorful and juicy!
My family goes crazy over meatballs. I should try this chicken version!