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Chicken Parmesan Meatballs with Crispy Panko Nut Topping Recipe

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4.3 from 63 reviews

These Chicken Parmesan Meatballs combine tender ground chicken with rich Parmesan and ricotta cheeses, Italian seasonings, and a savory tomato sauce. Seared to develop a golden crust and finished in the oven with melted mozzarella and a crispy nut and panko topping, they make a delightful Italian-inspired meal perfect for serving over spaghetti or alongside garlic bread.

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 2 ounces finely grated Parmesan cheese (about 1.5 cups)
  • 1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
  • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil for searing

Pan Sauce

  • 1-2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 6 cloves garlic, finely grated
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons dry red wine
  • 24 ounce jar spaghetti sauce

Topping

  • 4 ounces shredded whole milk mozzarella
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped nuts (pistachios, pine nuts, walnuts, etc.)
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • a couple pinches garlic powder
  • Kosher salt
  • fresh cracked pepper

Garnish

  • fresh chopped basil
  • fresh chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Heat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for finishing the meatballs and later broiling the cheese topping.
  2. Mix meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, Parmesan cheese, Italian breadcrumbs, ricotta, garlic, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper using your hands just until blended. Use a cookie scoop for uniform size and roll into balls with lightly oiled hands.
  3. Sear meatballs: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Cook meatballs on all sides until a dark golden-brown crust forms, working in batches if necessary, adding more oil as needed.
  4. Keep warm: Transfer seared meatballs to a baking sheet and place in the preheated oven to finish cooking gently.
  5. Start the pan sauce: Without cleaning the pan, add 1-2 teaspoons olive oil and reduce heat to medium. Add grated garlic and tomato paste, cooking for about 30 seconds while stirring constantly.
  6. Deglaze the pan: Pour in red wine and scrape the bottom of the pan to lift browned bits. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until mostly reduced.
  7. Simmer the sauce: Stir in the spaghetti sauce and let it simmer gently on medium-low heat for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
  8. Make crispy topping: In a large sauté pan, combine panko breadcrumbs, chopped nuts, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toast over medium heat for a few minutes until the breadcrumbs turn dark golden brown, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Sprinkle in garlic powder and more salt and pepper, then transfer to a plate to cool.
  9. Add meatballs to sauce: Nestle the cooked meatballs along with their juices into the sauce, cover, and continue simmering gently over low heat for 4-5 minutes to combine flavors.
  10. Make it cheesy: Remove pan from heat, sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the meatballs and sauce. Place under the oven broiler for 1-2 minutes until the cheese browns and bubbles nicely.
  11. Garnish: Sprinkle the crispy breadcrumb and nut topping over the cheesy meatballs and garnish with fresh chopped basil and parsley for fresh herbal notes.
  12. Serve it up: Plate the meatballs over cooked spaghetti and enjoy with crispy garlic bread on the side.
  13. Share the love: If you enjoy this dish, consider leaving a 5-star rating and a review to spread the word!

Notes

  • Use a cookie scoop to ensure evenly sized meatballs for uniform cooking.
  • Be sure to toast the panko and nuts carefully to avoid burning; stir frequently.
  • Broil the mozzarella cheese just until golden brown, watch closely as it can burn quickly.
  • Leftover sauce with meatballs reheats beautifully, making great meal prep options.
  • Serve alongside spaghetti and garlic bread for a classic Italian experience.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/chicken-parmesan-meatballs-with-crispy-panko-nut-topping-recipe/