At all times, I have at least 3 varieties of mozzarella in my fridge. Bocconcini, shredded, sliced, mozzarella di bufala... it's all got its place in my heart and in my meals (especially since I learned how to make my own fresh mozzarella). I could --and would-- eat mozzarella in everything, but I try to save it for dishes where it will really shine.
You know, like Mozzarella-Stuffed Chicken Parm Meatballs.
I bought ciliegine (bite sized mozzarella balls) a week or so ago, thinking I would use them in a recipe that never wound up happening. I don't believe in wasting food, so I had to come up with something quick when I realized that my precious (think Gollum from the Lord of the Rings-- I'm serious about my cheese) mozzarella would probably be going bad if I didn't use it up soon.
The horror. I couldn't allow it.
It didn't take me long to come up with meatballs stuffed with mozzarella, but I was thinking I'd make my typical Italian meatballs until my mom requested that I make them using ground chicken or turkey.
Ground chicken, mozzarella cheese, and red sauce? Chicken Parm Meatballs all the way.
Ignore my alien hand smushing this otherwise gorgeous meatball. Focus on that melted mozzarella.
So I made a chicken-based meatball mixture with some Italian herbs and breadcrumbs, stuffed in the mozzarella balls, rolled them in flour, pan fried them, and finished them off in the oven. Then I topped them with warm red sauce and some fresh basil, and served them hot.
They'd also be great over pasta, if you'd like to make a full meal of them! I thought about making some pasta to go with mine, but they got picked off before I could bring the pot of water to a boil.
I also think these would make great appetizers for a party! Two of my favorite apps are mozzarella sticks and cocktail meatballs, and these Mozzarella-Stuffed Chicken Parm Meatballs are like the love child of them both. It doesn't get much better.
Try them out and let me know what you think in the comments!
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Mozzarella-Stuffed Chicken Parm Meatballs
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: about 18 meatballs 1x
Description
Adapted from What's Gaby Cooking's recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup unseasoned breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Bite-sized mozzarella balls (I used ciliegine)
- ½ cup flour
- Olive oil, for pan frying
- Tomato sauce, to top
- Fresh basil, to garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, parsley, and garlic powder. Mix until well combined.
- Shape the meatball mixture into small balls, and then press a ball of mozzarella into each. Reseal the meatball mixture around the mozzarella, making sure to cover it completely. You don't want any mozzarella to be visible, or it will ooze out while you cook the meatballs.
- Once all of the meatballs have been stuffed, roll them in the flour., one at a time, to coat. Shake off any excess and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and heat a few tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high.
- Once the oil has warmed, add in half of the meatballs and cook until browned, turning often.
- Once the meatballs brown, remove them from the skillet and add your second batch of meatballs.
- When those meatballs have also browned, remove them from heat and transfer all of the browned meatballs into a baking dish sprayed with nonstick spray (or, if your skillet is oven safe, simply transfer that into the oven). Place in the oven and cook for 15 minutes.
- While the meatballs cook, heat up your sauce in a small saucepan.
- When the meatballs are finished, spoon warm tomato sauce over the tops, garnish with basil, and serve.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Ohmygosh, these look super yummy! You can't go wrong with anything stuffed with mozzarella in my books and these look awesome 🙂
Kate @ ¡Hola! Jalapeño says
Wow! These are crazy and gorgeous—they're crazy gorgeous! I love them.
Millie l Add A Little says
These look amazing Morgan!! My mouth is completely watering just looking at them!!
http://youtube.com/addalittlefood
Kathy says
I've made these twice already -- they are DELICIOUS! They taste great the next day too 🙂 I wasn't sure about the plain breadcrumbs -- but, they work -- they really taste like little chicken parms too.
Morgan says
So happy to hear it, Kathy!
Jessica says
I just made these tonight! So yummy! & Even better, I have two picky two year olds happy with their dinner.
The kids are eating them with plain noodles, but mine are over penne in alfredo topped with marinara 🙂
Morgan says
I'm glad they got the thumbs-up from you and the two year olds! =)
Ashley says
These have become a fast family favorite in my house. Quick and easy to throw together and an absolute masterpiece in the mouth!!!! Thanks so much for such a yummy recipe!!!
Sakshi says
this looks delish! Can these be made ahead and frozen?
Morgan says
I've never done it, but I don't see why it shouldn't work!
Danielle says
Hi there!
I was wondering if I can just bake them? (Instead of browning in the pan first). If so, how long would the bake time be?
Thank you.
PS- My friend made these for her party and they were AMAZING!!
Wrenn says
So glad I found your blog! I have pinned so many things 🙂
I made these last night and they were incredible - I served with a caesar saldad... my fiance was obsessed! However, the prep took forever. The chicken mixture would not adhere to the mozzarella. I added more breadcrumbs and that helped a bit but not much. Overall they turned out amazing but it just took sooo long to make each meatball. Please let me know if this happened to you and how I can avoid it! Looking forward to cooking many more of your recipes!!
Nicholas Ng | Food For Thought says
These seem like a waaaay better idea than a whole chicken Parma ham. More bite for your buck flavourwise. Definitely would give this a try.
Dorinda Foos says
I have made these many times. First time I made per recipe. 2nd I made with 1/2 ground chicken, 1/2 ground turkey. Turkey makes it a little less dry, and adds a little more flavor. I’ve served them asa main course and an appetizer. Can’t go wrong.
I make them often now and won’t make less than a double batch, but usually make 4-6 lbs of meat, then freeze them.
Great recipes! I an forever grateful.