High Protein Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
Servings 5
Ingredients
For the Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
- 1 lb ground chicken breast
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Serving (optional)
- Marinara sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Additional Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley
- Pasta zucchini noodles, or your favorite pasta alternative
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F. If baking, preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a medium bowl, combine ground chicken breast, egg, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until everything is evenly combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tougher. (this recipe was an accident and I didn't know if it would turn out so I was using a paper plate)
- Using a small cookie scoop or your hands, form the mixture into 20–24 meatballs.
- Place meatballs in a lightly greased air fryer basket lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them for air circulation.
- Air fry for 10–14 minutes, turning halfway through, until the meatballs are lightly golden and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). **Oven method:** Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for approximately 18–22 minutes, or until cooked through.
- To make Chicken Parmesan Meatballs, spoon marinara sauce over the cooked meatballs and top with mozzarella and additional Parmesan cheese. Return to the air fryer or oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve over pasta of choice, zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or alongside a salad and vegetables.
Notes
* This recipe makes approximately **20–24 meatballs**, depending on the size.
* Ground chicken breast is very lean, so avoid overmixing and overcooking to keep the meatballs tender.
* The Parmesan cheese adds flavor and helps provide structure without needing breadcrumbs or other fillers.
* These meatballs are naturally high in protein and make a great meal prep option.
* For a higher-protein meal, serve 5–6 meatballs with protein pasta and marinara sauce.
* Cooked meatballs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for longer storage.
* For extra Parmesan flavor, sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese over the finished dish before serving.
* Ground chicken breast is very lean, so avoid overmixing and overcooking to keep the meatballs tender.
* The Parmesan cheese adds flavor and helps provide structure without needing breadcrumbs or other fillers.
* These meatballs are naturally high in protein and make a great meal prep option.
* For a higher-protein meal, serve 5–6 meatballs with protein pasta and marinara sauce.
* Cooked meatballs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for longer storage.
* For extra Parmesan flavor, sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese over the finished dish before serving.