Juicy Herb-Infused Meatballs Simmered in Fire-Roasted Tomato Sauce
Easy Baked Chicken Meatballs deliver bold flavor, tender texture, and weeknight efficiency all in a bake and simmer combination. First, hydrate Italian seasoned breadcrumbs with whole milk to create a light panade; consequently, the meatballs bake up moist rather than dense. Then, you combine finely minced red onion, freshly grated garlic, parsley, oregano, mustard, eggs, and a blend of parmesan and asiago with ground chicken. Because you bake instead of fry, Easy Baked Chicken Meatballs develop a golden exterior while remaining juicy inside. Moreover, the optional red pepper flakes add controlled heat without overpowering the herbs.
Next, build a layered tomato sauce that elevates Easy Baked Chicken Meatballs beyond the ordinary. You sauté onion in extra virgin olive oil until translucent, then briefly cook garlic and herbs to release their aromatics. After that, you add fire-roasted crushed tomatoes, roasted garlic tomato sauce, milk, chicken stock, soy sauce, and warm spices like bay leaves and cinnamon. As the sauce simmers, it thickens and balances acidity with subtle sweetness and umami. Finally, you nestle the baked meatballs into the sauce and allow them to gently simmer, which helps the flavors fully integrate before finishing with grated cheese.
Want to make substitutions to this Easy Baked Chicken Meatballs? Try these Suggestions
Importantly, Easy Baked Chicken Meatballs adapt easily to substitutions. You may replace ground chicken with ground turkey or use a 50/50 blend for added depth. If you prefer dairy-free options, substitute unsweetened oat milk for whole milk and omit the cheese or use a plant-based alternative. Additionally, gluten-free breadcrumbs work seamlessly without compromising texture. For a richer sauce, swap chicken stock with bone broth; alternatively, omit soy sauce and use tamari or coconut aminos for gluten sensitivity.
Serving-pairing Suggestions – Easy Baked Chicken Meatballs
For serving, Easy Baked Chicken Meatballs pair beautifully with spaghetti, rigatoni, or creamy polenta. Alternatively, spoon them into toasted hoagie rolls for a hearty meatball sub. They also complement brown rice, zucchini noodles, or crusty artisan bread. To store, cool completely before refrigerating in an airtight container for up to four days. For longer storage, freeze the meatballs and sauce separately for up to three months. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of stock to maintain moisture.
Recommended Recipes to Try
Loving the Easy Baked Chicken Meatballs? Then try our Savory Family-Friendly Turkey Meatballs is a must try. It’s a family-friendly twist on classic savory turkey meatballs: Kids approved with alternative ingredients. Additionally, this turkey meatballs with Salad and Vinagrette are another family favorite. It’s got an abundance of beautiful flavors, Asian inspired, and they are rather easy to make. Plus, this Chicken Meatballs, Greek Inspired recipe vastly became one of our favorites. It’s packed with so much delicious Mediterranean flavors that was inspired by our love for Chicken gyros.
Disclosures
Terms of Use
The contents of this website are for educational purposes and are not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The Nutrition Source does not recommend or endorse any products.
Product disclosures
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, JulietKitchen may earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Nutritional information
Importantly, this website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.
Easy Chicken Meatballs Recipe
Equipment
- 1 9 by 13 inches Baking Pan We love the caraway brand for its non-stick healthy feature
- 1 everyday pan We love the All Clad Fusion
Ingredients
For the Chicken Meatballs
- 1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 3-4 tablespoons whole milk or enough to just moisten the bread crumbs
- 1/2 medium red onion peeled and finely minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoon freshly grated garlic
- 1/4 cup fresh herbs mixed – parsley and oregano. Finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon mustard coarse or regular grey poupon
- 2 large eggs
- 2 pounds ground chicken may substitute ground turkey or use a combination of the chicken and turkey
- 1 1/2` teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes OPTIONAL
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup freshly grated cheese mix parmesan and asiago. (Divided in half)
For the Tomato Sauce
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 medium red onion peeled and finely minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated garlic
- 1/4 cup mixed herbs such as parsley and oregano
- 28 ounces crushed fired roasted tomatoes
- 24 ounces roasted garlic tomato sauce such as RAO's
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt adjust for your diet/taste bud
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 stick cinnamon 2-3 inch piece
- 1/2 cup freshly grated cheese mixture of parmesan and asiago
Instructions
Season. Shape. Bake Meatballs
Preheat oven 400F/204C Degrees
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the bread crumbs and mix.1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs, 3-4 tablespoons whole milk
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine all the remaining chicken meatballs ingredients. Add in the breadcrumbs mixture. Mix well to combine, Divide the mixture and shape into balls. For smaller meatballs shape into 15 to 20 and for larger meatballs divide into 8 to 12.1/2 medium red onion, 1 1/2 tablespoon freshly grated garlic, 1/4 cup fresh herbs, 1 tablespoon mustard, 2 large eggs, 2 pounds ground chicken, 1 1/2` teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 cup freshly grated cheese mix
- Place the meatballs, in an oven proof baking pan and bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes depending on the size.
Simultaneously make the tomato sauce.
- In an everyday pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil on medium flame.3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Add the onions and sauté 3 to 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.1/2 medium red onion
- Add in the garlic and herbs. Mix and cook 30 to 60 seconds.1/4 cup mixed herbs, 1 tablespoon freshly grated garlic
- Add in the tomato sauces, milk, chicken stock, soy sauce, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir.28 ounces crushed fired roasted tomatoes, 24 ounces roasted garlic tomato sauce, 1/2 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup chicken stock, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Add in the bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Stir. Cover and cook 20 to 30 minutes.2 bay leaves, 1 stick cinnamon
- Uncover the pan. Add in the baked meatballs. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes. Turn off the flame. Stir in the cheese. Serve with your favorite pasta. Enjoy.1/2 cup freshly grated cheese
Video
Nutrition
