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+ servings

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Crispy fried chicken meatballs get tossed in a creamy spicy marinara and broiled under a blanket of melty mozzarella and parmesan. It's everything you love about chicken parm without the breading and baking sheet mess. These come together fast and disappear even faster.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Yields16 meatballs (about 4 servings)
Servings16 meatballs (about 4 servings)

Ingredients

MEATBALLS

  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1/4 cup cottage cheese
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons grated parmesan
  • 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup neutral oil, for frying (or enough to reach 1/4 inch up the sides of the pan)

SAUCE

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon chopped Calabrian chili
  • 2 cups marinara sauce, I used Rao's
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan

TOPPING

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella, as needed
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan

Instructions 

FORM THE MEATBALLS

  1. In a medium bowl, add the ground chicken, cottage cheese, salt, black pepper, paprika, red pepper flakes, grated parmesan, parsley, and basil, then mix by hand until just combined.
  2. Add the panko breadcrumbs to a separate medium bowl.
  3. Lightly spray your hands with cooking oil spray to prevent sticking, then roll the chicken mixture into 16 meatballs, about 2 tablespoons each.
  4. Roll each meatball in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to coat evenly on all sides, then set aside on a plate.

FRY THE MEATBALLS

  1. In a deep, oven-safe sauté pan or casserole dish over medium heat, add enough neutral oil to cover the bottom of the pan and come up about 1/4 inch, then heat until shimmering.
  2. Add the meatballs to the pan in a single layer, working in batches if needed, then fry for 3 to 4 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
  3. Remove the meatballs from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to drain any excess oil, then carefully discard the oil from the pan, leaving behind any browned bits.

MAKE THE SAUCE

  1. In the same pan over medium heat, add the olive oil and butter, then let the butter melt.
  2. Add the minced garlic and Calabrian chili to the pan, then cook for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Add the marinara sauce, heavy cream, and grated parmesan to the pan, then stir to combine and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened.

ASSEMBLE & BROIL

  1. Preheat the broiler to high and position an oven rack in the middle of the oven.
  2. Return the meatballs to the pan, nestling them into the sauce.
  3. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan evenly over the meatballs, using as much or as little as you'd like, then transfer the pan to the middle rack and broil for 3 to 4 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden in spots, then enjoy!

Notes

Q: Can I bake these meatballs instead of frying them?
A: Yes, you can bake them at 400°F for about 18 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
Q: Can I air fry these instead of frying them in a pan?
A: Yes, you can air fry them at 400°F for about 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Q: What can I use instead of cottage cheese?
A: You can swap in ricotta cheese for a similar creamy texture, though the flavor will be slightly richer.
Q: What should I serve these with?
A: These are delicious over pasta, spooned into a hoagie roll for a meatball sub, or served on their own with crusty bread — you can find my garlic bread recipe for pairing.