Chicken and Ricotta Meatballs (Baked or Pan-Fried)
Did you know you can easily save your favorite recipes? Create an account or log in to get started.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Ricotta meatballs are easy to love, because creamy, full-fat ricotta makes incredibly light and airy meatballs. Mix them up in minutes using ground chicken, turkey or beef, whole milk ricotta cheese, and Italian-style seasonings. Serve these tender beauties with homestyle marinara sauce or your favorite sauce. And make a double batch for the freezer!
You’ve told me you want more meatball recipes for dinner — and so here we are! These ricotta meatballs are a lightened-up version of my grandma’s classic Italian meatballs recipe, which is made with beef and pork.
Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:
Main ingredients in ricotta meatballs
- Ground chicken: For maximum texture and flavor, I highly recommend using ground chicken thigh instead of chicken breast to make these meatballs, just like my recipe for chicken meatballs with pesto. The dark meat has slightly more fat, which translates into juicy meatballs! Ground turkey thigh or even ground beef can be substituted.
- Ricotta cheese: Full-fat, whole milk ricotta is what you’re looking for, you know the type to use in a classic lasagna recipe.
- Eggs: Use whole large eggs, and whisk before adding to the mixture so it will easily incorporate.
- Breadcrumbs: With ricotta and egg adding moisture, coarse homemade breadcrumbs or panko crumbs help to bind the meatball mixture.
- Fresh basil: A handful of aromatic basil leaves infuses the mild chicken meat with its distinctive fragrance and color — basil chicken is a lovely match-up. If you don’t have fresh basil, you can use 2 teaspoons dried basil plus fresh chopped parsley for color.
How to make the meatballs
1. Whisk two eggs in a small bowl — this will help them blend into the mixture. 2. Put the ground chicken, beaten eggs, ricotta, basil, Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix with your hands or a large fork until evenly blended.
3. To portion, scoop 1/4 portions of the meatball mixture and shape into balls. Expert tip: Wet your hands, or coat a cookie scoop with cooking spray to make the process less sticky. 4. Arrange the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet as you go.
5. The meatballs can be baked at 450F for about 20 minutes. 6. Another option is to pan-fry the meatballs in a large skillet until cooked through.
Chicken and Ricotta Meatballs (Baked or Pan-Fried)
Ricotta meatballs are easy to love, mostly because creamy, full-fat ricotta makes incredibly light and airy meatballs. Mix them up in minutes using ground chicken, turkey or beef, whole milk ricotta cheese, and Italian-style seasonings. Serve these tender beauties with homestyle marinara sauce or your favorite sauce. And make a double batch for the freezer!
Ingredients
Yield: about 30 meatballs
- 2 pounds (907 g) ground chicken thigh, turkey or lean beef
- 8 ounces (225 g) whole milk ricotta cheese, excess liquid drained
- ½ cup panko, or coarse breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped, or substitute 2 teaspoons dried basil or chopped fresh parsley
- 2 teaspoons grated or finely chopped garlic
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or crushed red pepper
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
- Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Put the ground chicken, ricotta, panko, eggs, Parmesan, basil, garlic, cayenne, 2 teaspoons salt and black pepper in a large bowl and mix well. Form the mixture into approximately 2-ounce meatballs, using damp hands to make them less sticky, or portion with an oiled cookie scoop.
Baked meatballs
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a piece of parchment. Arrange the meatballs on the sheet and drizzle them with some olive oil. Bake 20 minutes, turning them over halfway through, or until the meatballs are golden brown all over and cooked through (160-165F on a meat thermometer).
Pan-fried meatballs
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs to the pan — they should sizzle on contact or the pan isn't hot enough. Cook the meatballs 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown on one side. Turn them over and continue cooking until they feel firm to the touch and are cooked through. Tip: For juicier meatballs, cover the pan after flipping them the first time, lowering the heat to medium so the residual steam heat will finish cooking them.
Serving
- If you'd like to serve the meatballs with marinara or your favorite pasta sauce, cook or bake them until they're halfway done. Drop them into your simmering sauce and cook about 10 minutes.
- The meatballs are fun to serve with sturdy toothpicks, along with a bowl of zesty tomato sauce on the side for dipping.
Karen’s Notes and Tips
- For the best texture and flavor, I highly recommend using ground chicken thigh instead of chicken breast to make these meatballs. The dark meat has slightly more fat, which translates into juicy meatballs! Ground turkey thigh or even ground beef can be substituted.
- Chicken meatballs are freezer friendly. To freeze, arrange them in one layer on a tray and freeze until solid. Transfer to a ziplock bag or other airtight container and freeze 1-2 months.
- Store fresh meatballs in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Reheat in a low oven or in the microwave so they don’t dry out, or warm them up in chicken soup or meat broth.
Nutrition
Calories: 343kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 250mg | Potassium: 873mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 431IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 159mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutrition facts are calculated by third-party software. If you have specific dietary needs, please refer to your favorite calculator.
Did you make this recipe? Search @Familystylefood or tag #familystylefood on Pinterest
Hey, I’m Karen
Creator of Familystyle Food
I’m a food obsessed super-taster and professionally trained cook ALL about creating elevated dinners with everyday ingredients. Find simplified recipes made from scratch and enjoy incredibly tasty food! Read more about me here.
Can uncooked chicken meatballs be frozen
Yes, they can be frozen. I suggest arranging them on a sheet pan and freezing until they’re solid. Then you can transfer them to a freezer bag or other container to store in the freezer up to 2 months.
Absolutely AWESOME! Halved the recipe just for 2 of us. Added some scallions and came out delicious 👍Baked “em according to directions and perfectly done. definitely 5 stars ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️
Wonderful! Scallions sound like a delicious addition.