Chicken Pesto Meatballs: A Weeknight Gourmet Delight
Elevate your dinner routine with these Chicken Pesto Meatballs, a simple yet flavorful dish that combines ground chicken, fresh basil pesto, and parmesan cheese into tender meatballs. Perfect for busy weeknights or gatherings, these meatballs are versatile enough to pair with pasta, served in sandwiches, or enjoyed as appetizers. With their irresistible aroma and mouthwatering taste, they promise to impress everyone at the table!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 4 people 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb lean ground chicken
- 1/2 cup basil pesto (fresh or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian-seasoned)
- 3 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, basil pesto, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, and beaten egg. Mix gently until just combined.
- Season the mixture generously with salt and pepper to taste.
- Form the mixture into golf-ball-sized meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs (approx. 180g)
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: For added flavor, consider mixing in sun-dried tomatoes or swapping ground chicken for turkey. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days; reheat at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.