Fluffy Italian Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs Recipe

These mouthwatering crispy baked chicken ricotta meatballs burst with flavor and promise a delightful dining experience.

Packed with rich, creamy ricotta and tender ground chicken, each morsel delivers a perfect balance of textures.

The golden-brown exterior provides a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, juicy interior.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly to create a meal that feels both comforting and elegant.

Herbs and seasonings elevate these meatballs from ordinary to extraordinary, making them a standout dish for any occasion.

Serve them alongside pasta, in a sandwich, or as a standalone appetizer that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to fall in love with this irresistible recipe that transforms weeknight dinners into something special.

Tips For Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs Recipe

• Moisture Magic: Add a splash of milk or chicken broth to the meatball mixture to keep them incredibly juicy and prevent drying out during baking.
• Texture Trick: Avoid overmixing the ingredients to maintain a tender, light texture that melts in your mouth.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers for those with dietary restrictions.
• Make-Ahead Marvel: Prepare meatballs in advance and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking, allowing flavors to develop and making meal prep a breeze.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Freeze uncooked meatballs on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for quick weeknight meals – they'll bake straight from frozen with just a few extra minutes of cooking time.

How To Serve Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs Recipe Easily

• Meatball Marinara Magic: Serve these chicken ricotta meatballs nestled in a warm bed of marinara sauce, topped with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
• Italian-Inspired Plate: Create a delightful pasta companion by tossing the meatballs with al dente spaghetti or linguine, garnishing with chopped parsley and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
• Appetizer Delight: Transform these meatballs into crowd-pleasing party bites by skewering them with toothpicks, serving alongside a zesty dipping sauce like garlic aioli or spicy marinara for easy entertaining.
• Healthy Bowl Concept: Build a nutritious meal bowl with quinoa or brown rice as a base, arrange the meatballs on top, and add roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and a light herb yogurt sauce for a balanced dinner option.

Meal Prep And Storage For Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs Recipe

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping them fresh and tasty. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Freezing Technique: Package individual or batch portions in freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. These delicious meatballs can remain frozen for 2-3 months without losing quality or flavor.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated meatballs in a 180C (350F) oven for 10-12 minutes, ensuring they're heated thoroughly. Microwave works too, but oven method maintains crispier texture.
• Meal Prep Advantage: Prepare meatball mixture ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking. This allows flavors to meld and saves precious cooking time during busy weekdays.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

All Ingredients For Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs Recipe

• Ground Chicken: Lean protein that creates tender, juicy meatballs with a clean, mild flavor profile.
• Ricotta Cheese: Adds incredible moisture and creamy texture, preventing dry meatballs while enhancing richness.

• Eggs: Help bind ingredients together and provide structural integrity to the meatballs.
• Breadcrumbs: Create a light, airy texture and help absorb moisture for perfectly cohesive meatballs.
• Parmesan Cheese: Introduces sharp, nutty undertones and helps develop a golden-brown exterior.
• Fresh Parsley: Brings bright, herbaceous notes and adds vibrant color to the mixture.

• Garlic: Delivers robust, pungent depth and classic aromatic complexity.
• Salt: Intensifies overall flavor and balances other ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Provides subtle heat and warm, earthy undertones.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient that adds gentle, warming spiciness for those who enjoy slight heat.

Helpful Equipment For Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs Recipe

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining all ingredients smoothly.
• Baking sheet: Essential for roasting meatballs evenly.
• Parchment paper: Helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easy.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Cheese grater: Useful for fresh parmesan or zesting lemon.
• Meat fork or wooden spoon: Great for mixing meatball ingredients gently.
• Sharp knife: Helpful for chopping herbs or garlic finely.

Instructions For Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs Recipe

• Preheat Oven Prepare Your Baking Space

Crank up the oven to a toasty 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or give it a quick olive oil spray to prevent sticking.

• Mix Meatball Magic

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta cheese, herbs, garlic, and seasonings. Get your hands dirty and gently blend everything together until just combined – don’t overmix or your meatballs will turn tough.

• Shape Delicious Spheres

Roll the mixture into bite-sized balls, roughly the size of a golf ball. Place them evenly on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each meatball.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and cook for about 20-25 minutes. The meatballs are done when they’re golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).

• Rest and Serve

Let the meatballs rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven. This helps them stay juicy and lets the internal temperature stabilize. Serve hot with your favorite sauce or side dish.

Crispy Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Succulent chicken ricotta meatballs deliver Italian comfort right to dinner tables. Herb-infused, tender spheres promise a delightful Mediterranean experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound (500 g) ground chicken
• ½ cup (125 g) ricotta cheese
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• Extra Parmesan cheese (for serving)
• ½ cup (60 g) breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Olive oil spray (optional, for extra browning)
• Marinara sauce
• Spaghetti or your favorite pasta
• Fresh basil leaves

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with olive oil to prevent adherence.
2. Mixing: Combine ground chicken, ricotta cheese, breadcrumbs, parsley, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl, blending ingredients thoroughly until achieving a consistent, well-integrated mixture.
3. Forming: Craft uniform meatballs approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, ensuring gentle compression to maintain a delicate, tender texture while creating compact spherical shapes.
4. Baking: Arrange meatballs on prepared baking sheet with slight separation to facilitate optimal heat circulation and promote even browning, then roast in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.
5. Monitoring: Midway through cooking, rotate the pan to ensure comprehensive golden-brown coloration and complete internal cooking, using a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).
6. Resting and Serving: Allow meatballs to rest 3-5 minutes post-baking, enabling juice redistribution and maintaining a crisp exterior, then plate and garnish with fresh parsley as desired, accompanying with preferred sauce or as a standalone protein dish.

Notes

• Prevent Moisture Loss: Avoid overmixing the chicken and ricotta to maintain tenderness and prevent dry, dense meatballs.
• Achieve Perfect Texture: Use fresh breadcrumbs for lighter, more delicate meatballs instead of store-bought dried breadcrumbs.
• Ensure Even Cooking: Roll meatballs with slightly damp hands to create smooth surfaces that cook more uniformly and prevent cracking.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers for those with wheat sensitivities.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg