Description
These Baked Basil Chicken Meatballs offer a flavorful and healthier twist on traditional meatballs, combining lean ground chicken with fresh herbs, Greek yogurt, and Parmesan cheese. Baked to perfection, they are tender, juicy, and bursting with the aromatic flavors of basil and oregano, making them a perfect main dish or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ¼ cup yellow onion, minced
- 1 egg
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- ½ cup basil leaves, finely chopped (reserve a few leaves for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon oregano leaves, finely minced (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano)
- ⅓ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated (plus more for serving)
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400ºF to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Mix the base ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, minced onion, egg, garlic, chopped basil, and oregano. Add the Greek yogurt, then season with salt and black pepper. Use your hands or a rubber spatula to mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
- Add the binding ingredients: Stir in the panko breadcrumbs and finely grated Parmesan cheese into the mixture, integrating them evenly throughout. This helps bind the meatballs and adds flavor.
- Shape the meatballs: Roll the mixture into tablespoon-sized meatballs, aiming to make about 15 to 16 meatballs total for even cooking.
- Prepare the baking sheet: Lightly grease a baking sheet with the tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to prevent sticking and promote browning.
- Bake the meatballs: Arrange the meatballs evenly on the greased baking sheet. Place them in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping them once halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165ºF for safe consumption.
- Serve: Remove the meatballs from the oven and transfer them to a serving platter. Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves on top for garnish and an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute dried oregano if fresh is not available, but use less as it has a stronger flavor.
- For a gluten-free option, replace panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.
- If you prefer a richer flavor and crispier exterior, you can broil the meatballs for the last 2 minutes of cooking but watch closely to avoid burning.
- These meatballs pair wonderfully with marinara sauce, pasta, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Make sure to not overcrowd the baking sheet to allow even cooking and browning.
Keywords: baked chicken meatballs, basil meatballs, healthy chicken meatballs, easy chicken recipe, baked meatballs