Chicken Pesto Meatballs
Chicken Pesto Meatballs are a delightful fusion of juicy chicken and aromatic pesto, creating a flavor-packed dish that’s perfect for family dinners or entertaining friends. These meatballs are easy to make and visually stunning, thanks to their vibrant green coating. Serve them over pasta, in subs, or as appetizers, and watch your guests come back for seconds!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 meatballs (serves about 4) 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3–4 breasts)
- 1 cup fresh basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup pesto sauce (for drizzling)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for browning)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, mix chicken, pesto, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until combined but not overworked.
- Form the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and place on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Drizzle with additional pesto sauce before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs (150g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: For added flavor, substitute ground chicken with turkey or add grated cheese to the mixture. Feel free to experiment with different herbs or spices based on your taste preferences.