Description
Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach are a comforting and healthy dish combining tender ground chicken, creamy ricotta cheese, and fresh spinach. Baked to perfection, these meatballs offer a quick, flavorful dinner that is low in carbs, family-friendly, and easily customizable to suit various tastes and dietary needs.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs (regular or gluten-free)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, ricotta cheese, chopped fresh spinach, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands or a spoon until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep meatballs tender.
- Form the Meatballs: Shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter using your hands or a spoon. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until cooked through and golden on the outside. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Serve and Enjoy! Remove the meatballs from the oven and let them rest a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute for moist, flavorful bites.
Notes
- Use fresh spinach for better texture and flavor compared to frozen.
- Do not overmix the meat mixture to avoid tough meatballs.
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon for uniform meatballs ensuring even cooking.
- If the mixture feels dry, add a little milk or extra ricotta to maintain moisture.
- Start checking meatball doneness at 18 minutes to prevent drying them out.
- Line the baking sheet with parchment paper, silicone mat, or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-5 meatballs
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: baked chicken meatballs, ricotta meatballs, spinach meatballs, healthy meatballs, low carb meatballs, family friendly dinner, gluten free meatballs