Baked Spicy Chicken Parm Meatballs (Print version)

Juicy chicken meatballs with spicy herbs, baked in marinara and topped with bubbly mozzarella cheese.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Meatballs

01 - 1 pound ground chicken
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 2 tablespoons hot sauce
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
10 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ For Baking

12 - 2 cups marinara sauce
13 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
14 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with olive oil.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, parsley, hot sauce, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix until just combined without overmixing.
03 - Shape mixture into 16 meatballs approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place evenly spaced in the prepared baking dish.
04 - Spoon marinara sauce evenly over meatballs, ensuring complete coverage.
05 - Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
06 - Remove from oven and sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over meatballs. Return to oven and bake for 10 additional minutes until cheese is bubbly and meatballs reach internal temperature of 165°F.
07 - Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired.

# Tips from the pros:

01 -
  • Bold Flavor: A perfect balance of savory parmesan, smoky paprika, and a spicy kick from hot sauce and red pepper flakes.
  • Simple Cleanup: Prepared in one large mixing bowl and baked in a single dish.
  • High Protein: A nutritious main dish with 34g of protein per serving.
02 -
  • Internal Temp: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatballs reach 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
  • Don't Overmix: Overworking the ground chicken can result in tough meatballs; mix just until the ingredients are incorporated.
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