Description
These Chicken and Ricotta Meatballs are a tender and flavorful twist on traditional meatballs, combining lean ground chicken with creamy ricotta cheese and Parmesan for a moist and delicious texture. Baked to golden perfection and optionally simmered in marinara sauce, they’re perfect served with pasta, in sandwiches, or as a savory appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for baking or frying)
Optional
- Marinara sauce for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, and onion powder. Mix gently with your hands or a spoon until just combined to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form Meatballs: Using a tablespoon or small scoop, shape the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs and arrange them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Apply Olive Oil: Lightly brush or spray the tops of the meatballs with olive oil to help them brown and remain moist during baking.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure safety.
- Optional Simmering: For extra flavor and moisture, transfer the cooked meatballs to a skillet with warm marinara sauce and simmer for 5–10 minutes before serving.
- Serve: Serve these meatballs hot with pasta, inside sandwiches, or as an appetizer paired with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Ensure that the internal temperature of meatballs reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Lightly mixing the ingredients helps to keep the meatballs tender and prevents them from becoming dense.
- Using olive oil for brushing helps with browning and moisture retention during baking.
- Simmering meatballs in marinara sauce is optional but adds extra flavor and moisture.
- These meatballs can be frozen before or after baking for meal prep convenience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Chicken meatballs, Ricotta meatballs, Baked meatballs, Italian recipe, Easy dinner, Healthy meatballs
