Description
Delicious baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs stuffed with gooey mozzarella and simmered in a rich marinara sauce, topped with fresh basil for a comforting Italian-inspired meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup gluten free breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 ball of mozzarella, cut into small 1/2″ cubes
Other
- 1 jar of marinara sauce (approximately 24 oz)
- Basil leaves for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the meatballs evenly.
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, gluten free breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, salt, Italian seasoning, onion powder, pepper, and parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture is uniform.
- Shape Meatballs with Mozzarella: Take enough mixture to form 2-inch portions. Flatten each portion in your hand, place a small cube of mozzarella in the center, then carefully roll the mixture around the cheese to form a meatball. Repeat until you create about 18-20 meatballs.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Pour the entire jar of marinara sauce into a baking dish, spreading it evenly. Place the prepared meatballs spaced evenly in the marinara sauce. Scatter remaining mozzarella cubes around the dish for extra cheesiness.
- Bake the Meatballs: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve with Fresh Basil: Once baked, remove from oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and herbal aroma. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure the meatballs are tightly sealed around the mozzarella to prevent cheese from leaking during baking.
- Use gluten free breadcrumbs to keep the recipe safe for gluten-sensitive diets.
- The marinara sauce can be homemade or store-bought based on your preference.
- Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
