Description
Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs are tender, juicy meatballs made with ground chicken, ricotta cheese, herbs, and parmesan. This easy baked recipe is perfect for family dinners, pasta night, or meal prep. Serve with creamy garlic parmesan sauce for an irresistible main dish. Ideal for healthy comfort food lovers.
Ingredients
1 pound ground chicken
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large egg
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 tablespoon chopped basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing)
For Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce (Optional):
2 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly grease the sheet.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta, parmesan, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
3. Shape into 1.5-inch meatballs using a scoop or clean hands. Place them evenly spaced on the baking sheet.
4. Brush tops with olive oil and bake for 18–22 minutes, until golden and internal temp reaches 165°F. Broil for the last 2 minutes if desired.
5. For the sauce, melt butter in a saucepan, add garlic, then stir in cream and parmesan. Simmer until thickened. Stir in basil.
6. Add cooked meatballs to the sauce and coat evenly. Serve warm over pasta or with your favorite sides.
Notes
Don’t overmix the meatball mixture; it helps keep the texture light and moist.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the meatballs are fully cooked at 165°F.
The creamy garlic sauce adds a rich flavor boost but is optional.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 460mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 95mg