Gluten Free Chicken Meatballs

Name: Gluten Free Chicken Meatballs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground chicken (✅); 1/2 cup gluten free breadcrumbs; 2 tablespoons warm water; 2 tablespoons minced onions; 1 large egg; 1 large clove garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (✅); 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (✅); 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt (✅); 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper; 2-3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

Gluten free chicken meatballs are made with gluten-free breadcrumbs and get lots of flavor from minced onions, garlic, and fresh basil. Pair with marinara and gluten-free pasta, toss in bbq sauce or serve on toothpicks as an appetizer.

Our baked chicken meatballs make a delicious dinner entree or tasty event hors d’oeuvre. Also, a great recipe for prepping ahead, they can easily be frozen then reheated as desired. Super versatile, chicken meatballs will quickly become a staple in your home.

If you enjoy making quick and easy gluten-free dishes, Baked Sweet Potato Slices, Easy Crockpot Potato Soup and Easy Pork Loin Recipe are must-try recipes!

chicken meatballs garnished with fresh basil in serving bowl

All you need for chicken meatballs are a few simple gluten-free ingredients and seasonings to create a flavor packed recipe. Check out all the recipe variations before gathering the equipment and ingredients.

Chicken Meatball Variations

Turkey Meatballs. Easily swap the ground chicken for turkey to make turkey meatballs.
Seasoned Meatballs. Replace any seasoning with your favorite flavor or spices you have on hand. For a guide on spices, check out our Gluten Free Spices resource.
Cheesy Meatballs. Mix in 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese for an extra hint of flavor or opt for 2 TBSP of nutritional yeast for a non-dairy cheesy flavor.
Meatballs without breadcrumbs. Use almond flour or another gluten free flour blend in place of the breadcrumbs.
Zucchini Meatballs. Mix in grated zucchini that has had the water pressed out for a boost of color and nutrition.

Ready to get started? Follow the step-by-step instructions below or use the printable recipe card.

spices, worcestershire sauce, gluten free breadcrumbs, ground chicken, egg, basil, onion and garlic on a sheet pan

Equipment

large mixing bowl
measuring cups and spoons
Small cookie scoop
baking pan with parchment paper

Ingredients

1 pound ground chicken ✅
1/2 cup gluten free breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons warm water
2 tablespoons minced onions
1 large egg
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce ✅
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning ✅
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt ✅
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
2-3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten. Some are marked due to the possibility of cross-contamination.

egg and panko breadcrumbs mixed in a bowl

egg, ground chicken, spices, garlic and onion in mixing bowl

How To Make

Preheat oven to 425°F. Then, place parchment paper onto the baking pan.

Combine the breadcrumbs with water

In a small mixing bowl combine the breadcrumbs with the water, which will allow the breadcrumbs to absorb the liquid prior to mixing with the remaining ingredients. This is key to the meatball ingredients binding together.

Blend ingredients

To a large mixing bowl add the chicken, onion, eggs, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasonings, fresh basil, salt, and pepper. Add the breadcrumbs. Using clean hands, blend just until mixed.

gluten free chicken meatballs on parchment lined baking sheet

Roll into balls

Using a medium-sized cookie scoop, roll into balls. Place onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake

Bake for 10 minutes. Turn your oven to broil and broil for 2-4 minutes or until the tops start to sizzle and brown.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to serve with chicken meatballs?

Serve as is, with spaghetti, or in any dish like Instant Pot Minestrone Soup. Gluten free meatballs also pair well with potatoes such as Gluten Free Cheesy Potatoes, Cheesy Mashed Potatoes, and Gluten Free Scalloped Potatoes.

How do you know when meatballs are done?

Once the internal meatball temp reaches 165F, they are done cooking and ready to be served.

How to freeze homemade meatballs?

Let the baked meatballs cool completely then toss in a large Ziploc bag or airtight container. Label and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Is thawing frozen meatballs required?

Thawing frozen fully cooked meatballs is not required, simply toss in the microwave to reheat in intervals or heat on the stove top in marinara sauce.

fork scooping a chicken meatball from a serving bowl

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

Mixing the breadcrumbs with the water ahead of time helps the crumbs to expand and later will help the meatballs stay together.
Swap the 2 Tablespoons of water with 2 Tablespoons of warm chicken broth for more flavor.
Serve with your favorite gluten free pasta noodle or Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash.
Cook the meatballs until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

More Gluten Free Chicken Recipes

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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