Chicken Parmesan Meatball Skillet is a quick and easy weeknight meal. The meatballs are gluten-free and cooked right in the sauce. This not only saves time but produces the most tender chicken meatballs you will ever have! Make your own marinara sauce (recipe included) or use your favourite store-bought brand to make it come together even faster!
These meatballs are delicious served over pasta or with crusty bread. If you are going more low-carb, try them over zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or with Sauteed Lemon Garlic Kale or Roasted Cabbage with Bacon and Balsamic.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
For a full list of ingredients and quantities see the recipe card below.
- Ground chicken - use ground turkey, beef, pork, or a combination.
- Tomato passata - use one can of purèed whole tomatoes.
- Homemade marinara sauce - use your favourite store bought version.
- Mozzarella cheese - skip the mozzarella all together or substitute with Monteray jack or mild cheddar.
- Fresh basil - 2 teaspoon of dried basil can be used instead.
How to make this recipe
Step 1 - Mix together the meatball ingredients then shape into balls using a 1 ½ to 2-inch scoop or your hands. Keep covered in the fridge until ready to use.
Step 2 - Preheat your oven to 400 ° F. Prepare the sauce by heating olive oil in your skillet then gently sautèing the onion, garlic, oregano, and chili flakes. Add the tomato purèe and basil. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 3 - Add all the meatballs to the sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer then transfer to the oven to bake for 10 minutes. Turn the meatballs and continue baking for another 10 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through. You can check this by cutting one in half or checking the internal temperature is 165°F. Remove from oven and turn the broiler to high, making sure the rack is in the center position.
Step 4 - Top the meatballs with grated mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, then place under the broiler for 2 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbling.
Hint: Take the guesswork out of knowing if your meat is cooked with my favourite Quick-Read Thermometer by Thermoworks.
Variations
You could really spruce up this recipe by adding in some of your favorite vegetables right to the pan. Add mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers to the onions after they become soft. Adding in some chopped spinach or kale can help you get in extra leafy greens with minimal effort! Try serving them over Creamy Cauliflower and Celery Root Puree for an elegant dinner with guests.
Equipment
Any oven-proof skillet will work but my go-to is a 12" Cast-Iron Skillet to provide an even heat while it's baking in the oven. Cast iron pans are very versatile and a great addition to any kitchen.
Storage
Store in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven, on the stovetop or in the microwave.
These meatballs freeze beautifully in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat as mentioned above.
Pro tip
Don't overmix the meatball mixture. Start by using a fork to combine then get your hands in there and mix it gently until everything is combined.
📖 Recipe
Chicken Parmesan Meatball Skillet
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 454 g ground chicken (1 lb)
- ¼ large onion, finely diced, plus more for sauce
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced, plus more for sauce
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, grated, plus more for topping
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped or 2 tablespoon dried
- 1 egg
For the marinara sauce
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ large white or yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red chili flakes, more or less to your taste
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoon fresh basil chopped, or 2 teaspoon dried
- 1 680 ml jar strained tomato passata or one can whole tomatoes ((3 cups)
- ½ teaspoon salt
Toppings
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, grated
- Fresh basil, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- In a large bowl combine ground chicken, onion, garlic, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, parsley, and egg. Mix gently until combined. Don't overmix.
- Using a scoop or a large soup spoon, shape into 1 ½ - 2-inch balls. Place the meatballs on a plate and set them aside in the refrigerator.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Sautee onion for 4-5 minutes or until soft and translucent. Add garlic, oregano and chili flakes. Stir and continue cooking and stirring for 1 minute.
- Add tomato puree and basil. Stir together and bring to a gentle simmer. Continue simmering gently for 5 minutes.
- Add prepared meatballs to pan and place in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and carefully flip meatballs. Return to oven and bake for another 10 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through. Check this by cutting one in half or with a thermometer reading 165° F.
- Remove from oven and turn the broiler to high. Make sure the oven rack is in the center position.
- Top the meatballs with 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese and finish with ¼ cup Parmesan. Place under the broiler for 2 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Sprinkle fresh, chopped basil on top (if using), and serve.
Denise says
I made this using ground beef instead of chicken. It was delicious and the whole family loved it. It was also very easy to make and pretty quick too! Thanks Andrea! So far I have loved all recipes I have made from your site!
Andrea says
I'm so happy to hear you are enjoying the recipes!
Audrey says
Could dry basil be substituted for the fresh? If so, how much of the dry?
Thanks!
Andrea says
Yes absolutely! You will need 2 tsp of dried basil.
Cindi says
So easy and taste amazing! Everyone loved it!
Marlene Marchand says
Not a good one to make during Livy program downsizing week lol. So good Andrea! Had to hold myself back from over indulging!
Andrea says
It's definitely a hard dish to leave some behind! Happy you enjoyed it and thanks so much for commenting!
JoAnn McNeill says
Thanks for another great recipe! It went together do easy and tastes great! I had it over pc riced cauli, broccoli, carrot mix. Hubby had it over pasta. I have a container in the freezer for another meal.
Andrea says
Hi JoAnn! So happy you both enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting!
Jackie Tridico says
This is another recipe Andrea knocked out of the park ! I love the fact that all of Andrea’s recipes are healthy and delicious! My meals are based on Andrea’s meals and now I feel like I’m the chef !
Andrea says
I love that so much Jackie! Thanks so much for commenting!
Nicole says
Oh my gosh Andrea, this is such a tasty and easy recipe, unbelievable. Thank you, I had it with spaghetti squash and side salad. right on point. 🙂
Andrea says
Hi Nicole! So happy you enjoyed the meatballs! Thanks for commenting!
Kerry MacKay says
Delicious and easy to make
MB says
If I'm going to freeze them at what point in the recipe do I stop to freeze them?
Andrea says
Hi there!
For freezing you can just leave off the cheese and add that when you are baking them to eat. You can also freeze with the grated cheese on top but not melted in. You can bake from frozen at 350 F. The time will vary depending on the size of the dish but I would count on about an hour. Hope that helps!
MB says
Thanks! So you cook them in the oven with the sauce prior to freezing? The hour in the oven while they're still frozen is just to heat them up so they are not frozen anymore correct?
Andrea says
Yes exactly. You want them fully cooked before freezing 👌😀
Sue W says
SOOOOOO Delicious and easy! Yet another hit for me and my family!
Andrea says
Yay! So happy you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting!
Jennifer says
WOW! WOW!WOW! 10/10 on this one for sure! Where do I start? The meatballs were juicy and delicious but oh man, that sauce is incredible and so easy. I will not be buying jarred sauce again. My whole family of 6 enjoyed it. I had mine over zucchini zoodles to keep on track with the Livy method.
This will be a staple in our house!
Andrea says
Hi Jennifer!
I'm so happy everyone enjoyed it! Thanks so much for the comment!
Christine says
I can’t get over how delicious that was! And it was home run with my hubby! Win win! Thanks Andrea!
Andrea says
I'm so happy to hear that Christine! Thanks for commenting!