Chicken Parm Meatballs
ShareJumbo homemade chicken meatballs have a crispy exterior and tender inside with a hot melty cheese surprise in the center.
Sometimes I have days where I don’t have a big story behind a recipe and talking about random things always seems questionable. You probably don’t want to hear me ramble on about something that has absolutely nothing to do with the recipe and honestly, I just want to tell you to go make this.
These meatballs are so simple to make. I strangely love making meatballs, any meatballs. It’s kind of fun to get in the bowl and squish all of the ingredients together, then form them into perfect round balls and bake to perfection. There’s a tad more involved with this recipe but it’s absolutely worth it.
See that crust on the outside? Don’t skip the frying step, it’s essential and not at all to be feared. You end up with a perfectly crisp exterior and a tender inside with that ooey gooey amazingly melted mozzarella cheese. And I know it seems odd that this is clearly paired with a plate of pasta covered with tomato sauce since I don’t eat tomatoes, just ignore that and focus on the meatballs. Amazing. Dinner changing. Must make meatballs.
Chicken Parm Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 2 Tbsp finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 3/4 C seasoned breadcrumbs divided
- 1 stick of string cheese cut up into equal portions
- 1/2 lb spaghetti
- Tomato sauce
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl combine first six ingredients plus 1/2 cup breadcrumbs. Divide mixture into four equal portions. Form a disc or cup out of one portion of chicken mixture, add mozzarella to the center. Cover cheese with meat and shape into a ball. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Roll meatballs in remaining breadcrumbs.
- Warm oil in a large skillet over med/high heat. When oil is hot, carefully place meatballs in oil. Lightly brown on all sides. Drain on a paper towel lined plate.
- Transfer meatballs to a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until completely cooked through.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta according to box instructions or personal preference. Divide into 4 portions, serving with sauce and a meatball.
Notes
Mmmm. My kids love meatballs adn they’d be nuts if there was something hiding in the middle! I’m putting these on the menu for Thursday!
We’ve been all about meatballs lately, too!
I have been trying to figure out what to make for dinner for Vday next week and this might be the winner!
Plain meatballs will never appeal to me again!
pinned! absolutely making!
I want to make these immediately. I love this idea!
Making immediately! Heating up oil now! ohmygoodness
Love these so much! My boys go nuts when I put cheese in meatballs. They look delish!
Ooo! I’ve gotta try these for dinner some night!
Love the fact that when you cut into these there is the surprise of warm, melted cheese!
I saw something a little like it on food network and would have had NO idea how to create it… then you go and post this awesome recipe!!! Thanks girl!
What a fun twist – I am sold!
I love this twist, Rachel! Looks delicious!
What a great change-up from regular meatballs!
a great makeover for meatballs!
Meatballs have never been my favorite but I can get behind shoving cheese into the middle for a gooey surprise!
Oh my goodness!! Those meatballs are so gorgeous! And I love the ooey gooey cheese on the inside! Yum!!
Oh Yum! I must try these.
This is one of my favorite meatball recipes ever and yours look amazing! Fun idea to sub the string cheese, I need to try that for sure.
Dude! The meatballs are the bomb! Crispy outside and cheesy inside…loving these.
Love your new look – very fresh and elegant. And this recipe is so lovely. It’s like a hidden gem!
I want to go on dates with that meatball. and french it.
wow… lol settle down there ;)
My husband would love these (and I certainly wouldn’t turn them down ). Every year for his birthday dinner, he requests Chicken Parmesan. Maybe this year I can surprise him with this instead
HAHAHA I just read Claire’s comment, ROFL. That is hilarious. But…I was kinda thinking the same thing. Good thing your recipe makes more than one ;)
These are brilliant! I love that oozing center. And the parmesan crust? Yum! I have a quick question, does the mozzarella ever leak out of the middle or does it tend to stay in there? Thanks!
In the four that I made, none leaked even the slightest bit… until cut open of course. :)
These meatballs look incredible! My hubby loves meatballs so he would go nuts for these. I have to just say again, I love your new design. :)
this might actually get my boyfriend eating ground chicken!
Oooh! I just love this idea–I mean, who wouldn’t be blissfully happy to bite into something they know is delicious (a meatball) only to be surprised with something also delicious (cheese)?! Meatballs are one of my favorite comfort foods; my mom used to make a big pot of sauce and meatballs every Sunday. I live four hours away, but she always makes me meatballs when she knows I’m coming home. I think I might make these one Sunday and think of her! :)
Oops, it’s a really bad idea to go on here when I’m hungry, I just realized. I want one of those meatballs right NOW!
totally different than the meatballs i normally make. Mine are teeny tiny. These look like a fun way to make a meatball… stuffed with cheese! yes please!
These were the biggest meatballs I’ve ever made. HUGE! But totally worth it.
Made these today, they wee the best meatballs I’ve ever tasted….thankuuuuuu
So glad you enjoyed them. :)