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 chicken meatballs recipe makes a delicious dinner entree or tasty event hors d’oeuvre. Also, a great recipe for prepping ahead, they can easily be frozen and then reheated as desired. Super versatile, ground 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!
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. Be sure to check out Crockpot Frozen Meatballs for another appetizer idea.
Baked Chicken Meatball Substitutions
- 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 Chicken Balls. 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.
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.
How To Make Chicken Meatballs
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.
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.
Tips and Tricks
- Use Quality Ground Chicken: Start with good quality ground chicken. If possible, use a mix of white and dark meat for better flavor and juiciness.
- Seasoning Variations: Feel free to customize the seasonings to your taste. You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat or experiment with different herbs and spices.
- Keep Ingredients Cold: When working with ground meat, it’s essential to keep the ingredients as cold as possible. This helps with texture and flavor. You can even chill the mixing bowl and utensils in the fridge for a few minutes before starting.
- Don’t Overmix: Be gentle when mixing the ingredients together. Overmixing can lead to tough meatballs. Mix just until everything is evenly combined.
- Test for Seasoning: Before forming all the meatballs, cook a small portion of the mixture in a skillet to taste for seasoning. Adjust the seasonings if needed before rolling into balls.
- Use an Ice Cream Scoop: Using an ice cream scoop or cookie scoop can help ensure that your meatballs are all the same size, which will lead to even cooking.
- Sauce Options: While serving with spaghetti is a classic choice, you can also consider other sauces like marinara, alfredo, or pesto. Meatballs are versatile and can be paired with various sauces and side dishes.
- Garnish and Presentation: Consider garnishing your chicken meatballs with freshly chopped herbs like parsley or grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor and presentation.
- Make Extra: If you have the time and ingredients, consider making a double batch of meatballs and freezing some for later. They make for a quick and convenient meal on busy days.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Once the internal meatball temp reaches 165F, they are done cooking and ready to be served.
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.
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.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
Once your chicken meatballs are cooked and ready to store, let them cool to room temperature before refrigerating or freezing. To store in the refrigerator, place them in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking, and store for up to 3-4 days.
For longer storage, freezing is a great option. Flash-freeze the meatballs individually on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bags. Label with the date for easy tracking. Frozen chicken meatballs can be stored for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then warm them in the oven or microwave until heated through. Enjoy homemade chicken meatballs whenever you need a quick and delicious meal.
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
- Gluten Free Chicken Casserole
- Gluten Free Chicken Pot Pie
- How To Boil Chicken Legs
- Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks
- Gluten-Free Chicken Thigh Recipes
- Air Fryer Italian Chicken Thighs
- Gluten Free Fried Chicken KFC-Style
- Air Fryer Ranch Chicken Thighs
- Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Tenderloins
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.
Gluten Free Chicken Meatballs Recipe
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- 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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prep the pan. Preheat oven to 425°F. Place parchment paper onto the baking pan.
- Combine the breadcrumbs with water. In a small mixing bowl combine the breadcrumbs with the water.1/2 cup gluten free breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons warm water
- 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.1 pound ground chicken, 2 tablespoons minced onions, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper, 2-3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, 1 large clove garlic, minced
- 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.
- Serve. Serve as is, with spaghetti, or in your favorite dish.
Notes
- Once the internal meatball temp reaches 165F, they are done cooking and ready to be served.
- 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.
- 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.
Nutrition
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