Description
Savory Mediterranean-style chicken meatballs dance with zesty herbs and spices, creating a culinary journey through Greek flavors. Perfectly seasoned and tender, these meatballs invite you to savor a delightful meal that brings Mediterranean warmth to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried parsley)
Aromatics and Liquid:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped or grated
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Serving (Optional):
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 8 ounces pasta
- Grated parmesan cheese (for garnish)
- Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Thoroughly blend ground chicken with breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic, onion, parsley, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing vessel until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Craft uniform spherical portions approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
- For pan-frying method: Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (around 350°F), carefully positioning meatballs to prevent overcrowding.
- Rotate meatballs periodically, achieving a rich golden-brown exterior and maintaining internal temperature of 165°F, which typically requires 8-10 minutes.
- Alternatively, for oven-roasting: Preheat oven to 400°F and arrange meatballs on parchment-lined baking sheet, lightly brushing with olive oil.
- Roast for 15-18 minutes, rotating midway to ensure comprehensive browning and confirming internal doneness.
- Present meatballs atop pasta, accompanied by warmed marinara sauce, then garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and delicate basil leaves for enhanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Ensure ground chicken is not too lean to maintain moisture, preventing dry meatballs.
- Use fresh breadcrumbs for a lighter texture and better binding compared to store-bought versions.
- Chill the mixture for 15-30 minutes before shaping to help meatballs hold their form during cooking.
- For gluten-free option, swap breadcrumbs with almond meal or gluten-free breadcrumbs to maintain consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (pan-frying) or 18 minutes (oven-roasting)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 325 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg