Ask Chef Dennis

  • Recipe Index
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • About
×
Home » Recipes » Chicken Recipes

How to Make Delicious Chicken Meatballs

Published: Jul 22, 2015 · Modified: Feb 6, 2025 by Chef Dennis Littley

27
SHARES
Facebook27PinterestFlipboard
Jump to Recipe Listen to the Post

One of the great joys in life has got to be meatballs. Wonderfully seasoned balls of meats, pan fried to give them a little bit of crunchiness to the exterior then simmered for hours in tomato sauce to keep them plump, juicy and delightfully delicious.

For almost 20 years now I’ve been making Turkey and Chicken Meatballs and have enjoyed them every bit as much as the traditional mixture of beef, pork and veal.

Chicken Meatballs

Audio Player



 

If you have left over legs, be sure to try my delicious baked chicken legs recipe, in my house everybody asks for more!

Of course, there are as many tasty variations on homemade meatballs Grandmothers, each with their own flavors and traditions. Depending upon what I have on hand I make Chicken Meatballs, turkey or a combination of both. I make burgers out of both types of meat and never use the whole pack (Lisa eats beef) so I freeze the remainder and when I have enough I make meatballs or chili depending upon how I’m feeling.

Chicken Meatball Sub

Meatballs have got to be the ultimate comfort food. You can eat them with pasta, on a roll as a sandwich or just pick them up with your fingers and eat them with the unbridled passion they deserve…… Can you tell I love meatballs?

If you enjoyed this recipe you may also like these:

  • Chicken Marsala Meatballs
  • Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich
  • All-American Hot Dog Bar
  • Blackened Salmon Sliders
Chicken Meatballs

Chicken Meatballs

Chef Dennis Littley
Chicken Meatballs are a great way to enjoy meatballs without the guilt of beef! Seasoned well and sauteed, you’ll enjoy my chicken meatballs recipe.
5 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Listen to the Post
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Entree
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 179 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • ½ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup Italian parsley – finely chopped
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoon milk
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup or tomato paste
  • ½ cup grated Romano plus more for serving
  • ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
  • ½ teaspoon granulated onion
  • sea salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • ½ cup olive oil for sautéing

Instructions
 

  • Soak the breadcrumbs in the milk until the breadcrumbs become soggy,
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • While the oil is heating, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumb mixture, parsley, eggs, spices, ketchup and romano cheese in a medium mixing bowl.
  • Mix the ingredients together just until they are combined. Do not overwork the meat, it will make the meatballs tough.
  • The mixture will be a little looser than beef meatballs.
  • Roll meatballs by hand (or use a cookie scoop) and gently place them in the heated oil.
  • Cook, without disturbing, for about 2 minutes and then flip and cook for an additional two minutes. (they should start to have a little crust on the outside. Roll them around until most of the meatball surface has been cooked.
  • As they’re done transfer the meatballs to a paper towel lined plate and continue cooking in batches until they are all cooked. Save the oil for your marinara sauce if there’s not too much, it will add flavor to your sauce.
  • Place cooked meatballs directly into marinara sauce and let them simmer for about an hour (or longer)
  • Alternatively, you can finish cooking them in the oven, let them cool and freeze them until needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 179kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 9gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 159mgPotassium: 235mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 165IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 63mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askchefdennis or tag #askchefdennis!

Comments

    5 from 7 votes (3 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. H Ffrench says

    March 06, 2024 at 1:21 am

    5 stars
    THANK YOU for this recipe. I cannot eat red meat. This is a wonderful alternative to standard chicken recipes.

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      March 06, 2024 at 7:17 am

      You’re very welcome. I have a lot of chicken recipes on my site and some ground beef recipes that can easily be adapted to use ground chicken or ground turkey.

      Reply
  2. Susan Buckdethal says

    May 27, 2023 at 9:41 am

    5 stars
    Dear Chef Dennis,
    I have been reading your blog for years as well as making your recipes and I just wanted to comment on how much I love this web site.
    You are one of the best and I am thankful that I have this site to find the very best recipes with no misses.

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      May 27, 2023 at 11:17 am

      Thank you Susan, I’m very happy you found my website too!

      Reply
  3. Annamaria @ Bakewell Junction says

    August 06, 2015 at 9:32 pm

    5 stars
    I love substituting chicken for beef. I don’t like turkey and that’s what everyone usually substitutes for beef. Love the recipe.
    Annamaria

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      August 07, 2015 at 11:30 am

      I agree Annamaria, I much prefer ground chicken to turkey, especially for burgers!

      Reply
  4. Mary Frances says

    July 29, 2015 at 6:55 pm

    They really are the ultimate comfort food. This looks so delicious!

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      August 01, 2015 at 8:52 am

      Thanks Mary Frances, I do love meatballs!

      Reply


My name is Chef Dennis Littley, creator and owner of Ask Chef Dennis Productions. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

More about me →

Fan Favorites

  • overhead view of barbecued half racks of baby back ribs on a white platter
    Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs
  • sliced meatloaf with the rest of meatloaf on a white platter
    Classic Meatloaf Recipe with Zesty Glaze
  • shredded cabbage mixed with coleslaw dressing in a glass bowl.
    Easy Homemade Coleslaw Recipe
  • Banana bread sliced on a cutting board.
    Banana Bread Recipe
  • chicken parm with pasta on a white plate
    Chicken Parmesan Recipe
  • seasoned crispy chicken legs on a foil wrapped tray
    Baked Chicken Legs

Featured In

Collage showing where Ask Chef Dennis has been featured.

Footer

↑ back to top

INFO

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

SUBSCRIBE

Sign Up Today and start getting my easy-to-make restaurant-quality recipes!

CONTACT

  • About
  • Contact

© 2009-2025 · Ask Chef Dennis · 30 N. Gould Street, STE 7204, Sheridan, Wyoming, 82801

Proud Member of:
Mediavine Publisher Network

Let's Get Social

Pinterest Facebook Flipboard Instagram YouTube LinkedIn

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.