FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You Need My Chicken Meatball Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Chicken Meatballs
• My Recipe Tips
• Make Ahead Options
• Serving Ideas
• Chicken Meatballs (Easy, Juicy Recipe) Recipe card
• Gratitude Moment
• Recipe Reviews

I’ve made so many kinds of ground beef meatballs over the years, but sometimes you want something a little lighter, you know? That’s how these chicken meatballs came to be. They’re almost identical to how I make beef meatballs , except I use ground chicken and crisp them up on the stove with a little olive oil instead of baking them. The result? Juicy, golden perfection that’s ready in no time. Make this chicken meatball recipe with me for a healthy dinner or serve them as an appetizer !

Why You Need My Chicken Meatball Recipe

• Tender and juicy, not dry – Chicken meatball recipes get a reputation of being dry compared to ground beef, but I’m here to prove they don’t have to be! My recipe keeps them super moist and juicy, not to mention flavorful.
• Quick and easy – These take less than half an hour, with simple ingredients. They’re perfect for busy weeknights, last-minute meals, or double batching and freezing for later.
• Healthier option – With lighter meat and no breadcrumbs, my ground chicken meatballs are naturally gluten-free and low-carb, with real food ingredients.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my chicken meatballs recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Ground Chicken – For juicy results, I recommend 93% lean rather than 99%. This recipe works with ground turkey, too.
• Binders – I use my go-to combo of grated parmesan cheese and almond flour. The cheese adds flavor and binds well, while the almond flour is a healthier alternative to breadcrumbs. (I highly recommend using my Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour for the best texture in your chicken meatballs, as many brands are too coarse.) I’ve also made these with gluten-free breadcrumbs instead, and they work just as well.
• Aromatics – Naturally I had to add fresh garlic, but the secret ingredient that makes this chicken meatball recipe stand out is grated onion. Not only does it add flavor, it makes them so much juicier! You can swap in garlic powder and onion powder (3/4 teaspoon each), but it’s just not the same.
• Spices – Italian seasoning , sea salt, and black pepper. Feel free to experiment with seasonings, toss in fresh herbs, or add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat!
• Egg – Just one to keep the meatballs together. A flax egg is fine to substitute.
• Olive Oil – For frying. Avocado oil works, too.

How To Make Chicken Meatballs

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Mix the binding ingredients. In a large bowl, stir together the grated parm, almond flour (or breadcrumbs of your choice), minced garlic, grated onion, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and egg.
2. Add the ground chicken. Gently mix just until the mixture is uniform.

1. Shape the meatballs . Using wet hands, roll the chicken mixture into 1.5-inch balls on a cutting board.
2. Cook them up. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken meatballs in a single layer. Cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through.
3. Let them rest. Remove from the pan right away, then wait 5 minutes to lock in those juices.

My Recipe Tips

• Dry the grated onion well. It will be wet after grating, and your meatballs can fall apart if there’s too much moisture. Sometimes I grate the onion ahead of time, and in that case, it releases even more water to the point where I have to squeeze in a paper towel.
• Don’t overmix, or your chicken meatballs will be tough. This is why I add the ground chicken last after mixing all the other ingredients, to minimize the amount of mixing needed.
• A cookie scoop can help form uniform meatballs. It’s much easier to work with the sticky meat this way and handle it less, too. Just scoop onto your hand, then roll gently between your palms.
• If the meat is too sticky even after wetting your hands with water, refrigerate the dough for 20 minutes. This will help it firm up. You can also mix it the day before and form the meatballs the next day.
• Cook the meatballs in a single layer, with spaces between them. This prevents sticking together, and gives you space to flip them to different sides.
• Tongs are helpful for turning the meatballs, but be careful not to squeeze them. If you squeeze, they will lose their shape, and the juices can leak out. They are a little fragile at first, so you’ll need to flip them carefully, but as they start to cook through and become firmer, you can just roll them around.
• If your meatballs are golden but not cooked through yet, turn down the heat. You can keep cooking at lower heat until the inside is cooked through.
• Either a 10-inch or 12-inch skillet will work. Either way, you’ll need to cook in 2 batches. I can fit most of them in this 12-inch pan with just a few extras in the second batch, whereas in a 10-inch pan it’s about the same amount in both batches.
• Check the internal temperature. Chicken meatballs can dry out easily. Use a meat thermometer and aim for 165 degrees F — or even 1-2 degrees under that is fine because the internal temp rises a bit after cooking . The time will vary depending on the exact size of your meatballs, but even with ones the same size, I often find that some cook faster than others—so check a few places and remove them as they reach the right temp.
• Can you bake them instead? Absolutely! They’ll take about 20 minutes in the oven at 400 degrees F. Make sure to leave space between them in your baking dish, just as you would on the stove.

Make Ahead Options

Ground chicken meatballs reheat beautifully, so go ahead and meal prep a big batch to enjoy them all week! There are a few ways you can do this:

• Mix ahead – You can mix up all the ingredients and keep in the fridge covered in plastic wrap for up to 2-3 days. One thing I like about this is the mixture is less sticky if it’s super cold.
• Form the meatballs – They do stick together, so keep them spread out on a large plate or cutting board. Again, cover in plastic.
• Cook ahead – Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. You can microwave leftovers, but I prefer my air fryer (for literally 1 minute without preheating!) to keep them juicy.
• Freeze – You can freeze them raw or cooked. I recommend flash freezing in a single layer on a lined baking sheet first to prevent sticking, then transfer to a zip lock bag once they are solid. They’re best for up to 6 months frozen raw, or 3 months frozen cooked. If you heat from frozen, it’s easier to just bake them (25-30 minutes if raw, 15-20 minutes if cooked).

Serving Ideas

I actually made these chicken meatballs years ago with a Swedish sauce (you can now find that recipe in my free Wholesome Yum app ), but now republished the recipe without the sauce so that you can serve them however you like! Here are some of my favorite ways:

• Noodles – This time I served them over a bed of spaghetti squash noodles with extra parmesan (pictured above). You can also use zucchini noodles or your favorite pasta. Sometimes I toss in sauteed broccoli for extra veggies.
• Sauces – These chicken meatballs are already so flavorful on their own, but feel free to toss them in marinara sauce , Alfredo sauce , pesto . You can even serve them with barbecue sauce , buffalo sauce, or tzatziki as an appetizer.
• Soups – I like to add them to my veggie soup or cabbage soup for a light meal.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1/4 cup Grated parmesan cheese ▢
• 1/4 cup Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour (or gluten-free breadcrumbs) ▢
• 3 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
• 3 tbsp Onion (grated and dried well with paper towels) ▢
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning ▢
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
• 1 large Egg ▢
• 1 lb Ground chicken ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. In a large bowl, stir together the parmesan, almond flour (or breadcrumbs), minced garlic, grated onion, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and egg.
2. Add the ground chicken. Mix until just uniform.
3. Wet your hands with water, and form the mixture into round meatballs on a cutting board, about 1.5 inches in diameter.
4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken meatballs in a single layer. Cook for 7-8 minutes , turning every 60-90 seconds , until browned on all sides and cooked through.
5. Repeat with any remaining chicken mixture. Let your meatballs rest for 5 minutes before serving.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 5-6 chicken meatballs

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get tender, juicy results, what to do if the mixture is too sticky, an option to bake these instead, and more.
• Storage and meal prep: Check out my make ahead section above for ways to prep these in advance, with fridge or freezer options.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Spring Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Chicken Meatballs

Gratitude Moment

I know that many of you use my Wholesome Yum Almond Flour for my baking recipes — and I’m so grateful — but if it’s new to you for meatballs, I hope you’ll give it a try and see how well it works instead of breadcrumbs! I love this simple little swap to make them healthier.

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Chicken Meatballs (Easy, Juicy Recipe)

These will be the juiciest chicken meatballs you’ve had! You’ll love this quick and easy recipe with parmesan, garlic, and herbs.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/chicken-meatballs/

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
• 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 3 tbsp Onion (grated and dried well with paper towels)
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper
• 1 large Egg
• 1 lb Ground chicken
• 2 tbsp Olive oil

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, stir together the parmesan, almond flour (or breadcrumbs), minced garlic, grated onion, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and egg.
2. Add the ground chicken. Mix until just uniform.
3. Wet your hands with water, and form the mixture into round meatballs on a cutting board, about 1.5 inches in diameter.
4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken meatballs in a single layer. Cook for 7-8 minutes , turning every 60-90 seconds , until browned on all sides and cooked through.
5. Repeat with any remaining chicken mixture. Let your meatballs rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 5-6 chicken meatballs

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get tender, juicy results, what to do if the mixture is too sticky, an option to bake these instead, and more.
• Storage and meal prep: Check out my make ahead section above for ways to prep these in advance, with fridge or freezer options.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Spring Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)