These Chicken Meatballs are the BEST oven-baked meatballs, delicious as a meal addition or tasty on their own! Meal-prep friendly, they’re easy to stock up for the week.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a dark-colored sheet pan with cooking spray (don’t line with foil or parchment). Grate the onion (see note 1) and add into a large bowl. Add remaining meatball ingredients. Gently mix until combined, avoiding overworking the meat.
Use a 1-tablespoon measuring spoon to scoop a heaping amount of the mixture, then roll into balls. Lightly grease your hands with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Aim for 28–30 evenly sized meatballs.
Place meatballs on the prepared pan, leaving space between each. Spray the tops generously with cooking spray. Bake for 17 minutes. Flip, using a sharp metal spatula, and bake for another 5–10 minutes (I do 8 minutes) or until browned and cooked through.
Optional Serving Suggestion: Cook pasta according to package instructions for al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain. Toss cooked pasta with 1 cup pesto and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Add more water if needed for a creamier consistency. Serve meatballs on top with extra pesto, lemon juice, and Parmesan if desired.
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Notes
Note 1: Peel a large onion and grate it using the large holes of a box grater. Pack the grated onion into a measuring cup to get 1/2 cup.Note 2: Grab panko breadcrumbs instead of regular to give the meatballs a light, crispy texture.Note 3: Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor—avoid the shelf-stable kind.Note 4: For the best flavor, use high-quality or homemade pesto. Store-bought options like Rana® Basil Pesto work great.Nutrition Note: Nutrition information is calculated for one meatball with no sauce.Storage: Store cooked meatballs in a container in the fridge for 3–4 days. Freeze meatballs in a single layer, then move to a freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.