Description
These Chicken and Ricotta Meatballs are a delicious twist on traditional meatballs, combining tender ground chicken with creamy ricotta cheese for a moist and juicy texture. Seasoned with fresh basil, Parmesan, and garlic, these meatballs can be baked or pan-fried to your preference, making them a versatile dish perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
-
Meatball Base:
- 1 lb ground chicken thigh (or turkey or lean beef)
- 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (or coarse breadcrumbs)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
-
Optional for Spice:
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper
Instructions
1. Prepare the Meatball Mixture
- Whisk Eggs: Lightly beat the eggs in a small bowl.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, beaten eggs, ricotta cheese, chopped basil, Parmesan, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until well incorporated.
- Form Meatballs: Using wet hands or a cookie scoop, shape the mixture into 1¼-inch meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
2. Cooking Methods
Baking:
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Bake the meatballs for 20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and lightly browned on the outside.
Pan-Frying:
- Heat a bit of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the meatballs in batches, cooking for 10-12 minutes per batch, until browned on all sides and fully cooked inside.
3. Serve
- Once cooked, remove the meatballs from the skillet or baking sheet and serve warm.
Notes
- Protein Substitution: You can use ground turkey or lean beef instead of chicken.
- Herb Variations: Use dried basil if fresh isn’t available, and feel free to add chopped parsley for color.
- Spicy Kick: Add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper for extra heat.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free cheese alternatives and plant-based ricotta to make the recipe dairy-free.
- Freezing: Freeze uncooked meatballs on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Cook from frozen with an extra few minutes in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes (baking) or 10-12 minutes per batch (pan-frying)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking or Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Italian, Comfort Food
