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Crispy Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

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These Crispy Chicken Parmesan Meatballs are a kid-approved, comforting meal featuring a crispy crust and cheesy center, perfect for quick family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 grams) ground chicken
  • ½ cup (50 grams) finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • ⅓ cup (35 grams) panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for frying
  • 1 cup (240 ml) marinara sauce
  • ½ cup (50 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, grated Parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, minced garlic, beaten egg, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined, about 5 minutes.
  2. Roll the mixture into 1½-inch (3.8 cm) meatballs, making about 16. Wet hands slightly if mixture is sticky. This takes about 10 minutes.
  3. Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until shimmering, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Add meatballs in batches, leaving space between each. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes to form a crispy crust, then turn and cook another 3-4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).
  5. Optional: Transfer meatballs to a baking sheet, spoon marinara sauce over them, sprinkle with mozzarella, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Serve meatballs warm with extra marinara sauce and garnish with parsley if desired.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to avoid tough meatballs. For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs. To get a crispy crust, do not move meatballs during the first 4 minutes of frying. If mixture is too wet, add more breadcrumbs; if too dry, add a splash of milk or extra egg yolk. Rest meatballs after cooking to redistribute juices. Baking option available but pan-frying yields best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken meatballs, crispy meatballs, parmesan meatballs, kid-friendly dinner, easy dinner, comfort food, Italian meatballs

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/crispy-chicken-parmesan-meatballs-recipe-easy-kid-approved-comfort-food/