These tasty chicken meatballs are low-carb and only take about 5 minutes to prep! Serve them as a healthier take on your favorite classic Italian recipes.
If you ask me, meatballs are an underrated way to enjoy some delicious protein with your meal.
These chicken meatballs are a great source of protein, low in carbs, and only take about 5 minutes to prep! And no messy pan-frying to worry about — just bake them right in the oven.
Then, you can throw together the rest of your meal while the meatballs cook. How simple is that!
Why you will love these chicken meatballs
- 3 meatballs have 34 grams of protein
- They’re super low in carbs
- Prep only takes about 5 minutes
- They’re oven-baked so clean-up is a breeze
- You can serve them in so many different ways
Chicken meatballs ingredients
You only need five ingredients plus seasoning to make these tasty meatballs!
- Ground chicken – Lean ground chicken is a great high-protein option that keeps these meatballs light and tender.
- Olive oil – Extra virgin olive oil is best for flavor and higher antioxidant content.
- Parmesan – Freshly grated Parmesan helps bind the ingredients and adds a cheesy note.
- Flax seed powder – A fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, this ingredient also acts as a binder.
- Egg – This helps bind the meatballs and keeps them moist.
- Seasoning – Garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper bring out the savory flavors of the meatballs.
How to make chicken meatballs
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking tray with a silicone baking sheet or tin foil. Grease and set aside.
Step 2: Add all of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
Step 3: Stir until all of the ingredients are well combined, then let the mixture rest for about 5 minutes.
Step 4: After the mixture has rested, roll into 12 meatballs and transfer them to the baking tray.
Step 5: Place the tray in the oven and bake for 30 minutes until the meatballs are slightly golden and fully cooked through.
Recipe tips and tricks
- Use a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon to speed up prep time and make evenly-sized meatballs.
- Before shaping the meatballs, wet your hands slightly to prevent the mixture from sticking to your fingers.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving for fresh flavor and a pop of color.
Substitutions and Variations
- You can swap out the ground chicken with ground turkey for another lean protein option with a slightly richer flavor.
- You can make the recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free breadcrumbs instead of flax seed powder. Just keep in mind this will increase the carbs.
- I sometimes like to dial up the heat by adding red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the meatball mixture.
Ways to serve chicken meatballs
If you ask me, meatballs made with chicken can be enjoyed in all the same ways you would enjoy classic meatballs!
Looking for a satisfying pasta dish? Just whip up some zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash with my easy marinara sauce, oven-roasted tomato sauce, or cauliflower alfredo sauce and throw your meatballs on top!
For a delicious Italian-inspired meal, chicken meatballs would pair beautifully with low-carb eggplant parmesan as well.
Craving a meatball sub? If you can afford the carbs, grab your favorite hoagie, slice about ¾ of the way through, then fill it with meatballs, marinara, and Parmesan.
Storage and freezing
- Chicken meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge, where they will stay fresh for up to 5 days. They’re delicious reheated or chilled!
- You can freeze chicken meatballs on a tray in the freezer, then transfer them to a suitable freezer-safe container and store them for up to 6 months. To thaw, place them in the refrigerator overnight.
More easy chicken recipes
Chicken is one of my favorite proteins. It’s very lean, easy to prep, and can take on a wide variety of flavors!
You can also take a look at my roundup of the best diabetes-friendly chicken recipes for more inspiration.
Chicken Meatballs (Low-Carb)
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds ground chicken
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 teaspoon flax seed powder
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking tray with a silicone baking sheet or tin foil. Grease and set aside.
- Add all of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
- Stir until all of the ingredients are well-combined, then let the mixture rest for about 5 minutes.
- After the mixture has rested, roll into 12 meatballs and transfer them to the baking tray.
- Place the tray in the oven and bake for 30 minutes until the meatballs are slightly golden and fully cooked through.
