A Delicious Twist on Chicken Parmesan (Cheesy Chicken Parm Meatballs)

Serves: 4–6
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 30–35 min

🧆 Ingredients

For the chicken meatballs

• 500 g ground chicken

• 1 large egg

• ½ cup breadcrumbs

• ½ cup grated Parmesan

• 2 tbsp chopped parsley

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or oregano + basil)

• ½ tsp paprika

• Salt & pepper to taste

• 1–2 tbsp olive oil (for brushing or pan-browning)

For the sauce

• 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• Salt & pepper to taste

For topping

• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella

• Extra Parmesan (optional)

Instructions

1. Make the meatballs

1. In a large bowl, combine:
   ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.

2. Mix gently until combined — don’t overmix.

3. Roll into meatballs (about tablespoon-sized).

2. Brown the meatballs

You can choose one of these two methods:

Option A — Pan brown (like in the photo):
Heat a splash of olive oil in a skillet or Dutch oven, then brown the meatballs on all sides for about 4–5 minutes. They don’t need to cook through.

Option B — Oven bake:
Bake the meatballs at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden.

3. Add the sauce

1. Pour marinara sauce into the skillet or baking dish.

2. Add garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

3. Nestle the browned meatballs into the sauce.

4. Add the cheese & bake

1. Sprinkle mozzarella generously over the top.

2. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 minutes until bubbling and the cheese is melted and golden.

Serve With

• Pasta

• Garlic bread

• Rice

• Mashed potatoes

• Or eat it on its own!

Optional Add-Ons

• Add chili flakes for a spicy version

• Add shredded basil on top after baking

• Mix mozzarella + provolone for extra cheese pull

ENJOY