Healthy Chicken Meatballs
I love making meatballs for kids since they are easy for them to eat and chew, and since they are so simple to make healthier! For these Chicken Meatballs, I combine Italian chicken sausage and roasted sweet potato for a flavorful, yet mellow meatballs that pair well with a variety of sauces. These are a great baby-led weaning food or protein for 1-year-old recipes, though they’re really delicious for any age. We love them with pasta or another grain, either on their own or tossed with a simple marinara sauce. (You can find my basic Baked Chicken Meatball recipe and Teriyaki Meatballs, too. And Cheesy Rice!)
Ingredients You Need
To make these meatballs, you’ll need to have the following ingredients on hand and ready to go. Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.
Ground Italian Chicken Sausage: Using chicken sausage as the base adds a load of flavor. You can also use plain ground chicken and add Italian seasoning. Roasted Mashed Sweet Potato: This is a step you can do ahead of time so that it’s quick to make the meatballs. Parmesan cheese: I add a little grated Parmesan for additional flavor. Cornmeal or breadcrumbs: This helps the meatballs have a great texture. You can use either one.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at the simple ingredients used in these chicken meatballs.
How to Store
Store any leftovers in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Warm briefly in the microwave for 15-30 seconds, or in the oven at 375 degrees F for 6-8 minutes. You could even serve cold if packing as a lunch for kindergarten.
Best Tips for Success
I prefer to use Italian chicken sausage (I like the 365 store brand from Whole Foods) since it’s lean and has nice flavor. Use plain ground chiken if you prefer. If you use pork sausage, you may want to drain on paper towels after baking. Gluten-free, use cornmeal or gluten-free breadcrumbs. You can use plain or Italian-flavored breadcrumbs. Start with the lower amount of ½ cup and add a little bit more at a time until the mixture holds together. They will be sticky, but will hold together. Wash your hands halfway through if needed. Plan to cook your sweet potato ahead of time. You can roast it in the oven—wash and poke with a fork and place into a baking dish. Bake for 45-60 minutes at 400 degrees F for about an hour or until very soft. You can also cook it in your slow cooker. Serve with Marinara Sauce, Cauliflower Cheese Sauce, ketchup, or another favorite sauce.
I’d love to hear what your family thinks of this recipe if you try it, so please comment below to share!
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This post was first published October 2019.
