Chicken Meatball Recipe with Homemade Marinara Sauce
This tender and juicy chicken meatball recipe is foolproof. I actually prefer these over most beef meatballs because of how tender they are. The homemade marinara is so simple and delicious you will never buy spaghetti sauce again!
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees and add all ingredients into a large bowl.Blend well with your hands until all ingredients are well combined. Then, using an ice cream scooper, shape portions into round balls and place in a pyrex baking pan.Bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes
Marinara Sauce
Drain whole tomatoes into a bowl, squeezing access juice from each tomato. Then dice the tomatoes and set aside.Heat a large pan on medium to high heat. Once heated add 1 tbs of olive oil and saute the onions and garlic for about 2-3 minutes.Next, add your chopped basil and continue sauteing for an additional minute and then add your diced tomatoes.Finally, mix the tomato paste to your strained tomato juice, mix well, and add to the pan. Simmer on low heat for an additional minute. *If you are baking your meatballs, poor over top of your meatballs in the baking dish, add fresh mozzarella or burrata, and set on broil until the cheese has melted.
Instant Pot
If you are cooking using the Instant Pot you will begin by turning on the saute feature. Then follow all the Marinara Recipe instructions. Then you will place the uncooked chicken meatballs into the Instant Pot so they are covered by the sauce. Turn off the saute feature and set the pressure cooking feature for 15 minutes. Quick-release the steam. You can then transfer to a baking dish or cast iron if you would like to add some fresh burrata or mozzarella and broil it until melted. If not you can serve it right away over your preferred pasta.
Notes
How to Enjoy Your Chicken MeatballsI personally always prefer whole wheat pasta since it is high in both fiber and protein. This is also a popular dish to enjoy with grilled Italian Bread. Recently, I've also scene this dish served over polenta.If you decide to add Mozzarella or Burrata, it will add about 75 additional calories per serving. You can instead add some fresh grated parmesan cheese on top which would only be about 30-50 calories.Adding whole wheat pasta will add an additional 180 calories, as will fresh bread. Whole wheat pasta will have much better health benefits and is lower on the glycemic index. I use both the whole wheat pastas at Trader Joes as well as the "O Organics" brand and you absolutely cannot tell the difference.