What goes into the chicken meatballs?
8 slices bacon. Use any pork bacon you like. Just be sure to drain it well, cool it, and rough chop it prior to adding to the bowl with the other ingredients.
1 lb ground chicken.
½ cup panko bread crumbs. The panko has a lighter texture and makes for a better bite than a traditional, dense bread crumb.
1 egg.
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
2 tbsp ranch seasoning, such as Hidden Valley.
1 tbsp minced garlic (about 2-3 large cloves).
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2 tbsp fresh minced parsley. Making the Ground Chicken Meatballs
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Set out 1-2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper, or greased with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Cook the bacon via your preferred method until crisp, and transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain and cool.
- Once bacon is cool enough to handle, chop well, and add to a large bowl with the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, cheddar, ranch seasoning, garlic and parsley.
- Mix meatball ingredients together with your hands until just combined. Do not over-mix, or meatballs will be tough.
- Once mixture is well combined, roll meatballs, about 1 tablespoon each, and transfer to baking sheets prepared with parchment paper or cooking spray/oil.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes (depending on how big you made your meatballs- smaller ones will only take about 15 minutes to cook through), turning meatballs halfway through so that both sides brown evenly. Chicken meatballs should have an internal temperature of 165 when cooked through.
What to serve with chicken meatballs?
So, you’re wondering what to serve with ground chicken meatballs? These delicate and delectable bacon chicken ranch meatballs are great as-is, or with your favorite dip.
I love to serve them as party appetizers, or as lettuce wraps for a quick and easy dinner. And while I am partial to my Greek yogurt ranch, these go great with sriracha mayo, blue cheese or hot sauce too!
Substitutions and Additions
Use ground turkey instead of ground chicken.
Try parmesan cheese or mozzarella cheese instead of the cheddar cheese.
Omit the bacon, and brush the meatballs with a bit of olive oil before baking.
Try a bit of onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in place of the Ranch seasoning, or substitute with another spice blend you love!
Add some thinly sliced green onions for a bit of fresh flavor.
Toss the meatballs in your favorite buffalo sauce for a little extra kick!Ingredients
Chicken Meatballs
8 slices bacon
1 lb ground chicken
½ cup panko breadcrumbs
1 egg
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoon ranch seasoning
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoon fresh minced parsley Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Set out 1-2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper, or greased with cooking spray or olive oil.
3. Cook the bacon via your preferred method until crisp, and transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain and cool.
4. Once bacon is cool enough to handle, chop well, and add to a large mixing bowl with the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, cheddar, ranch seasoning, garlic and parsley.
5. Mix meatball ingredients together with your hands until just combined. Do not over-mix, or meatballs will be tough.
6. Once mixture is well combined, roll meatballs, about 1 tablespoon each, and transfer to prepared baking sheets.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes (depending on how big you made your meatballs- smaller ones will only take about 15 minutes to cook through), turning meatballs halfway through so that both sides brown evenly.
Serve with ranch dressing.
Makes 30-35 cocktail sized meatballs
