Description
Light, juicy, and melt-in-your-mouth tender — these Chicken Ricotta Meatballs are bursting with flavor! A perfect mix of creamy ricotta, Parmesan, and herbs gives them incredible texture and richness. Discover the 5 simple secrets that make them truly irresistible.
Ingredients
1 lb ground chicken
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free)
1 egg
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
2 cups marinara sauce (for serving)
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Mix gently with your hands or a fork until just combined — don’t overmix.
3. Form into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and place on a tray.
4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and sear on all sides until golden, about 6–8 minutes.
5. Pour in marinara sauce, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes until meatballs are cooked through (165°F internally).
6. Serve warm over pasta, polenta, or alongside crusty bread with extra sauce.
Notes
🍝 5 Secrets to Irresistible Chicken Ricotta Meatballs:
1. **Use ricotta for moisture** – keeps meatballs light and soft.
2. **Don’t overmix** – gentle mixing prevents toughness.
3. **Sear, then simmer** – caramelized crust + tender inside = perfection.
4. **Add Parmesan for umami** – gives depth and savoriness.
5. **Simmer in sauce** – locks in flavor and makes them incredibly juicy.
💡 Pro Tip: Make a double batch and freeze half — they reheat beautifully for a quick, gourmet dinner anytime!
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Pan-Seared + Simmered
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: chicken ricotta meatballs, Italian meatballs, tender chicken meatballs, healthy dinner, creamy ricotta meatballs