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    Home » Recipes » Chicken

    Baked Chicken Meatballs with Garlic Butter

    Published: Feb 7, 2023 by Kate

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    Plate of meatballs, ingredients on a table and list of ingredients, plus text: Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Meatballs.
    Close up of baked meatballs, with text: Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Meatballs.

    These Baked Chicken Meatballs with garlic butter are bursting with great flavor, and they're super easy to make! They're full of parmesan cheese, herbs, and spices, then they're drizzled in a little garlic-infused melted butter for even more flavor. Make a batch as a main course or serve them on cocktail sticks as an appetizer.

    Close up of baked chicken meatballs in a baking dish.
    Baked Chicken Meatballs

    These easy Baked Chicken Meatballs are a great way to enjoy a healthier version of traditional meatballs.

    They are lower in fat and calories, and still provide a good source of protein. They are also easy to make and can be enjoyed as a main course or as an appetizer.

    Plus, they are a great way to add flavor to your favorite dishes!

    I've served them up with a light drizzle of garlic butter for extra bold flavor.

    They're perfect as an appetizer (try them with a dish of Wingstop Ranch or Homemade Donair Sauce to dip them into!). But we also love serving them with fresh pasta noodles and marinara sauce.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Serving Suggestions
    • More Chicken Recipes
    • Storage and Freezing
    • Top tip
    • Food Safety Tips
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Baked chicken meatballs are easy to make and can be made ahead of time.
    • They are a great source of protein and are low in fat.
    • You can easily make them into a delicious meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
    • They are a great way to get kids to eat more protein.
    • Baked chicken meatballs are a great addition to any meal - try them in a sub sandwich, on pasta noodles or with mashed potatoes and gravy.
    • They can be served with a variety of sauces and sides.
    • They are a great way to make a healthy and delicious meal quickly.
    • A freezer-friendly recipe.
    • You can adapt the seasonings to change up the flavor.

    Ingredients

    You only need simple pantry ingredients for this recipe!

    Ingredients on a table.
    • Ground Chicken - Ground chicken is a great budget-friendly way to enjoy poultry.
    • Parmesan - parmesan cheese is rich and adds lots of great flavor.
    • Panko breadcrumbs - panko is a larger form of dried breadcrumbs. You can substitute for regular or Italian dried breadcrumbs.
    • Parsley - chopped fresh herbs add lots of flavor. You can substitute with 3 teaspoons of dried parsley.
    • Tomato paste - also called tomato puree - the thick, concentrated tomato paste in a small can or tube.
    • Chicken broth - you can substitute other broth, such as vegetable.
    • Egg - to help bind the chicken meatballs.
    • Olive oil - to brown the tops.
    • Paprika, Garlic Powder, Italian herbs, and Salt - Spices for lots of great flavor.
    • Butter and Minced Garlic - for the optional garlic butter to drizzle over the cooked chicken balls.

    See the recipe card for quantities and method.

    Instructions

    Follow these step-by-step instructions, then scroll down for the full ingredients list and method.

    Collage of mixing meatball mixture.

    Preheat the oven to 390°F.

    Place the ground chicken into a bowl, along with the beaten egg, salt, and spices and mix gently.

    Add the parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, and tomato paste.

    Thoroughly mix all the ingredients with a spoon, spatula, or your hands.

    Collage with stages of baked chicken meatballs.

    With damp hands, form the mixture into 2-inch balls, then place them into a 9x13-inch baking dish.

    Pour the chicken broth over the meatballs in the dish. Brush the tops of the meatballs with olive oil. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until cooked through.

    Meanwhile, melt the butter and stir in the minced garlic. Set aside to infuse, while the meatballs cook.

    Let the meatballs cool slightly, then serve drizzled with the garlic butter.

    Scroll down for the full ingredients list and method.

    Substitutions

    • Try this recipe with ground turkey or ground pork.
    • Instead of panko, use regular dried breadcrumbs.
    • You can use Italian breadcrumbs, and leave out the additional herbs.

    Variations

    • Gourmet - make them gourmet with a little Truffle Oil.
    • Spicy - Add a little cayenne for a bit of heat. Sriracha is great too.
    • Kid-friendly - if your kids don't like garlic, leave it out of the meatballs and omit the garlic butter.
    Table with a plate of chicken meatballs, plus a tray of them.

    Serving Suggestions

    There are so many ways to serve up chicken balls!

    1. Serve with classic spaghetti and tomato sauce.
    2. Drizzle with a creamy garlic sauce and serve over mashed potatoes.
    3. Add a creamy pesto sauce.
    4. Serve on a bed of mashed potatoes.
    5. Serve on a bed of rice - or Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice (copycat).
    6. Enjoy your chicken meatballs with Alfredo Sauce and tagliatelle.
    7. Serve in a wrap with lettuce and tomato.
    8. Serve in a sandwich with melted cheese.
    9. Add to a meatball sub.
    10. Serve in a pita pocket with a yogurt-based sauce.
    11. Serve on a bed of couscous.
    12. Serve in a hoagie with lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise.
    13. Serve on top of a salad.

    More Chicken Recipes

    Chicken is so versatile! Be sure to try these other chicken recipes too.

    • Chicken Leg Quarters
    • Pesto Chicken
    • Honey Mustard Chicken Legs
    • Tajin Chicken
    • Crockpot Cheesy Chicken and Rice
    • BBQ Chicken Legs In Oven
    • BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich

    Storage and Freezing

    Store: Store the cooked meatballs in the fridge for up to 4 days.

    Reheat: Reheat in an air fryer, oven or skillet until warmed through.

    Freeze: You can freeze cooked or uncooked chicken meatballs. Cook them from frozen at 400°F(200°C) for 30 minutes or until cooked through.

    Top tip

    If you like your baked chicken meatballs extra browned all over, you can turn each one over towards the end of the cooking time and bake for an extra few minutes until browned. Additionally, you can fry them in a skillet over high heat for a few minutes to brown them up.

    Food Safety Tips

    • Before cooking, wash your hands and countertops.
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that has touched raw meat.
    • Always wash your hands after touching raw meat.
    • Never leave cooking food unattended.
    • Keep those pot/pan handles turned in away from the front of the stove.
    • When cooking at high temperatures, use oils with a high smoking point, to avoid harmful compounds.
    • Ensure you have good ventilation when cooking on gas.
    • Put foods in the fridge or freezer within 2 hours of cooking. Reduce this to within 1 hour if it is 90 degrees or hotter outside.
    • Safely thaw food in the fridge, under cold running water, or in the microwave.
    • To ensure food is cooked through, it's best to use a food thermometer. Be aware that you can’t always tell by looking.

    Cook to safe temperatures:

    • Beef, Pork, Lamb: 145 °F
    • Fish: 145 °F
    • Ground Beef, Ground Pork, Ground Lamb: 160 °F
    • Turkey, Chicken, Duck: 165 °F
    Plate of baked chicken meatballs with garlic butter.

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    📖 Recipe

    Close up of baked chicken meatballs in a baking dish.

    Baked Chicken Meatballs

    These Baked Chicken Meatballs are full of parmesan cheese, herbs, and spices, then they're drizzled in garlic butter.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Baked chicken meatballs, chicken meatballs
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 369kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Bowl
    • 9x13-inch baking dish

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound ground chicken
    • ½ cup grated parmesan
    • ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
    • 4 tablespoons chopped parsley
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 1 cup chicken broth
    • 1 egg beaten
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon Italian herbs
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    For the garlic butter

    • 3 tablespoons butter
    • 3 cloves garlic minced

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 390°F.
    • Place the ground chicken into a bowl, along with the beaten egg, salt, and spices and mix gently.
    • Add the parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, and tomato paste.
      Thoroughly mix all the ingredients with a spoon, spatula, or your hands.
    • With damp hands, form the mixture into 2-inch balls, then place them into a 9x13-inch baking dish.
    • Pour the chicken broth over the meatballs in the dish. Brush the tops of the meatballs with olive oil. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until cooked through.
    • Meanwhile, melt the butter and stir in the minced garlic. Set aside to infuse, while the meatballs cook.
    • Let the meatballs cool slightly, then serve drizzled with the garlic butter.
    Tried this recipe?Head down to the comments and give it a star rating!

    Notes

    Store: Store the cooked meatballs in the fridge for up to 4 days.
    Reheat: Reheat in an air fryer, oven or skillet until warmed through.
    Freeze: You can freeze cooked or uncooked chicken meatballs. Cook them from frozen at 400°F(200°C) for 30 minutes or until cooked through.
    TIP: If you like your baked chicken meatballs extra browned all over, you can turn each one over towards the end of the cooking time and bake for an extra few minutes until browned. Additionally, you can fry them in a skillet over high heat for a few minutes to brown them up.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 369kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 173mg | Sodium: 802mg | Potassium: 712mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 516IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 147mg | Iron: 2mg

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

    More Chicken Recipes

    • Sweet Chili Chicken
    • Crispy Deep Fried Chicken Legs
    • Buffalo Chicken Bites
    • Crispy Battered Fried Wings

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Biana

      February 07, 2023 at 1:05 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! Meatballs with garlic butter sound delicious, will be great served with a cucumber tomato salad.

      Reply
    2. Amanda Wren-Grimwood

      February 07, 2023 at 1:33 pm

      5 stars
      These look so moreish with all that garlic butter! I am having friends for drinks on Saturday and these will be perfect.

      Reply
    3. Beth

      February 12, 2023 at 1:11 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yum! So much lighter than beef meatballs. The kids loved the garlic butter!

      Reply
    4. gabbi

      February 19, 2023 at 2:12 pm

      5 stars
      This was so juicy and so flavorful, the best meatballs that we have tasted so far. We had them with fries and spinach salad. My kids want to make them again so it's on my weekend menu plan again already.

      Reply
    5. Dana

      March 01, 2023 at 2:27 pm

      5 stars
      These are absolutely delectable. I love chicken and turkey meatballs and this recipe did not disappoint. So happy to have it in my arsenal! Next time I'm making extra for the freezer.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kate! You Say Potatoes, I say, well, potatoes. I'm a cookbook author and journalist from the Pacific Northwest. Here you'll find easy, budget-friendly recipes made from scratch.

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