The only chicken meatballs recipe you will ever need

No time to cook now? Pin now, cook later! This chicken meatballs recipe is a keeper.

I have made these chicken meatballs so many times that I somehow didn't even think about sharing them with you. It is one of those weeknight meals that is easy to make and I know everyone will eat. The last time I made these chicken meatballs, my boys said, mum, you should put the recipe on your blog! To be honest, I thought, they might be too simple, nothing fancy, just your everyday chicken meatballs. But then I thought, they were right! This easy chicken meatballs recipe is exactly the kind of recipe why I started my blog in the first place. Those chicken meatballs are quick, healthy, easy to make and gluten-free.

So yes, after I thought about it for a minute, it was obvious that I need to share them with you guys. I know that you and your family will enjoy this healthy family chicken dinner as much as we do.

Here are a couple of questions you might have about these delicious gluten-free chicken meatballs:

How did you make chicken meatballs gluten-free?

Instead of the regular breadcrumbs, I use my everyday gluten-free bread. I give it a whizz in the Thermomix to make gluten-free breadcrumbs.

I don't eat dairy, can I leave the Parmesan cheese out?

Yes, you most definitely can make these chicken meatballs without cheese. Just skip that ingredient. You also can add ½ teaspoon of nutritional yeast if you like.

Are these chicken meatballs freezer friendly?

Yes, they are! I suggest you cook them and then freeze them. Take them out of the freezer in the morning before leaving the house and just warm them up in the pan or in the sauce before serving.

Can I eat them cold?

These chicken meatballs taste amazing when cold. They actually make a really good addition to a school lunch box. Take them out of the freezer the night before school, they will be absolutely perfect for kids' lunch break.

So I you can see these chicken meatballs are:

Healthy

Easy to make

Meal-prep friendly

Baked, not fried

School lunch box perfect

Family and budget-friendly

Freezer friendly

and don't forget they are simply delicious!!

Ok, enough talking here is the recipe for these amazing chicken meatballs.

chicken meatballs on a plate with tomatoes and fresh parsley

How to cook chicken meatballs in a skillet (Gluten-free recipe)

Elena Elliott

Juicy tender meatballs cooked on the stove. This is the only chicken meatballs recipe you will ever need. Healthy, quick, easy to make and absolutely delicious.

Print Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Course dinner

Cuisine Italian

Servings 30 meatballs

Ingredients

500 g of organic or free-range chicken mince I always use chicken thigh mince
½ cup cooked rice
½ cup parmesan cheese grated
1 free-range egg
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley optional
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
4-5 tablespoons of olive oil for shallow fry

Instructions

Frying in a skillet method

Prepare a baking tray by lining it with some parchment paper. We will place raw meatballs on the tray.
In a large mixing bowl combine the cooked rice, grated parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh parsley leaves (if using)
Add an egg, salt and pepper and mix everything to combine.
Add chicken mince and mix using your hands until the meat mixture is well combined and smooth.
Take half a tablespoon of the meatball mixture and roll it in your hands, shaping a little ball. Place the ball onto the prepared baking sheet.
Repeat with the remaining mixture. You will have approximately 30 meatballs.
Refrigerate the meatballs for 10 minutes.
Heat some olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan.
Add the meatballs one by one into the frying pan and cook for 3-4 minutes over medium heat.
Using long tongs, flip the meatball to the other side and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the meatballs are fully cooked.
Use a meat thermometer if you need to make sure the meatballs are fully cooked. Chicken is done cooking when its internal temperature reaches 165ºF (75ºC).

Oven baked method:

Preheat the oven to 200'C(400'F)
Follow the recipe steps 1 to 6.
Transfer the tray with the meatballs into the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes or until fully cooked.
Use a meat thermometer if you need to make sure the meatballs are fully cooked. Chicken is done cooking when its internal temperature reaches 165ºF (75ºC).

Video

Notes

Parsley leaves in this recipe are totally optional. Many kids don't like green "stuff" in their meatballs.

I would not recommend freezing these meatballs uncooked. Rice doesn't freeze well and you might end up with mushy meatballs.

Swap chicken mince for whatever ground meat you prefer and follow the recipe. It might take a little longer to cook pork or beef, give them some little extra time.

Here are more family-friendly chicken dinner recipe ideas:

HEALTHY TUSCAN GARLIC CHICKEN WITH SPINACH AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

ONE PAN MEXICAN CHICKEN AND RICE

THE BEST ASIAN GLAZED CHICKEN THIGHS EVER