Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs (regular or panko)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for drizzling or greasing)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with olive oil.
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta, egg, Parmesan, garlic, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs.
- Gently mix until just combined—don’t overmix.
- Shape into 1½-inch meatballs and place on prepared baking sheet.
- Lightly drizzle or brush tops with olive oil.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden and cooked through (165°F internal temp).
- Optional: Broil for 1–2 minutes for added browning.
Notes
- Add lemon zest and red pepper flakes for a brighter, spicier variation.
- Swap breadcrumbs with almond flour for low-carb/keto.
- Use ground turkey if preferred.
- Try fresh basil or oregano for different herbal notes.
- For a surprise center, stuff with mozzarella cubes before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4–5 meatballs
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 115mg