Quick Italian Cheesy Chicken Meatballs
meal prep | freezer friendly
Some dinners just do too much. Too many steps. Too many ingredients. Too much time, when you don’t have it.
These Quick Italian Cheesy Chicken Meatballs are the opposite — fast, flavorful, and just the right amount of “homemade with a little help from our friends.”
Lean ground chicken loaded with herbs and spices, seared until golden, then finished in your favorite store-bought marinara with melty mozzarella.
It’s simple. It’s satisfying. And yes — it freezes like a dream.
Why These Meatballs Work
This is the kind of recipe you make once… and then rely on forever.
- Ready in under 30 minutes
- Gluten free and high protein
- Crispy outside, juicy inside
- Uses store-bought sauce (smart, not lazy)
- Freezer friendly
- Family-friendly + meal prep approved
Ingredients List
- Ground chicken
- Olive Oil
- Gluten-free breadcrumbs
- Dried Italian herbs
- Onion powder
- fresh garlic and shallot
- Salt + pepper
- Egg
- Cottage cheese (optional)
- Marinara sauce (store-bought)
- Mini mozzarella balls
- Fresh herbs (basil or parsley)
More Meatball Recipes to Love
Texture and Flavor
It’s everything you want from a meatball — just faster and homemade.
- Golden, slightly crispy exterior
- Juicy, tender inside
- Rich marinara coating
- Melty mozzarella pockets
How to Serve
These go with everything. Or straight from the pan. No judgment.
- Over gluten-free pasta
- With roasted vegetables
- In a bowl with rice
- On their own with extra sauce
Freezer Friendly
Make a double batch.
- Freeze cooked or uncooked meatballs
- Store in airtight bags
- Reheat in sauce when ready
Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I use all of the products that I link and reccommend them because they are high quality products that I trust.
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Quick Italian Chicken Meatballs
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
These quick Italian chicken meatballs are gluten free, cheesy, and freezer friendly. Made with simple ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. Ground chicken
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil, divided in half
- 1/3 cup Gluten-free breadcrumbs
- 6 Garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon each sea salt and pepper
- 1 Egg
- 1/3 cup Cottage cheese (optional)
- 4 plus cups Marinara sauce (store-bought)
- 1 container (about 14 oz.) Mini mozzarella balls
- small bunch of fresh parsley and basil, roughly chopped
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine the meatball ingredients in a mixing bowl – ground chicken, 1 tablespoon olive oil, breadcrumbs, garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, pepper, egg and cottage cheese (if using). Using a fork or your hands, combine until everything is fully incorporated.
- With the help from a cookie scoop (either a mini or large*), form the mixture into meatballs. Press the mixture together using both hands to make a ball – place them on a cooking sheet. Repeat until all the meatball mixture is used.
- Heat up a heavy duty (cast iron or enamel) skillet over medium heat. Add in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. to the pan and swirl around. When the pan is hot, add the meatballs to the pan (leaving some room between each meatball so they aren’t touching). Let them cook for 4 minutes or until the underside is browned. Using a metal spatula, flip them over and turn the heat down. Place a lid on the skillet for 2-4 minutes or until the meatballs are almost fully cooked.
- Remove the lid and turn the heat to low. Pour in the marinara sauce and mozzarella balls. Bring to a simmer. Garnish with the fresh parsley and basil.
Notes
Use a cookie scoop to help measure your meatballs. I like using a scoop as a guide so all the meatballs are around the same size.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Hi, I'm Kat.
Thanks for being here.
Hi, I’m Kat — a Colorado-based Personal Chef and the heart behind White Sparrow Food Company. As a business owner, a soccer Mom to two daughters and always being asked “What’s for dinner?” – I get the challenges of everyday life.
Here, I share the same easy, wholesome, gluten free recipes I cook for my clients, made simple for real life at home. All recipes that YOU can make in your kitchen.
Take a look around, get inspired, and stay awhile — I’m so happy you’re here.
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