Italian Baked Chicken Meatballs
These Italian Baked Chicken Meatballs provide 36g protein and 613 calories per serving, offering a textured alternative to ground meat proteins. Batch 8 servings in quick prep time using a sheet pan, then portion into containers for grab-and-go meals. The higher calorie density supports strength blocks when you're deliberately eating above maintenance.
Ingredients
- •Tomato(907g)
- •Thyme, Fresh(15g)
- •3 teaspoons kosher salt
- •Olive oil(120g)
Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.
- •Ground Chicken(907g)
Usually near ground turkey in the meat section. Check fat % on label.
- •Egg, Whole, Large
- •Fennel Seeds, Dried(15g)
- •Parmesan Cheese(240g)
Grated Parmesan — the shelf-stable canister is fine for cooking.
- •Garlic(240g)
- •Bread Crumbs, Panko, Dry(240g)
- •Basil, Fresh
Instructions
- 1Preheat the oven to 450°F with a rack in the center position.
- 2In a large bowl, toss the tomatoes with the thyme, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and ¼ cup of the olive oil. Arrange the seasoned tomatoes on a large baking sheet, cut sides up.
- 3In the bowl used for the tomatoes, combine the chicken, eggs, fennel, if using, parmesan, garlic, bread crumbs, and the remaining 2 teaspoons of salt. Mix well, then with wet hands, form golf ball–size meatballs (about 2 tablespoons each) and arrange on the sheet pan with the tomatoes.
- 4Roast meatballs and tomatoes for about 20 minutes, or until tomatoes begin to soften and are slightly browned. Remove the sheet pan from the oven and increase the temperature to 500°F. Brush the meatballs with the remaining ¼ cup of the olive oil. Return the sheet pan to the oven and roast for another 5 minutes, or until the meatballs are golden brown and register 165°F on a meat thermometer.
- 5Once tomatoes and meatballs have roasted, toss them together. Serve over cooked pasta, if using, and top with basil, a drizzle of olive oil and more parmesan.
Nutrition — Per Serving
613
calories
36g
protein
35g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 42g
- Saturated fat
- 9.7g
- Sodium
- 842 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 4.3g
8 servings per batch · ~336g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
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How much protein does Italian Baked Chicken Meatballs have per serving?
Each serving contains 36g of protein and 613 calories with 35g fat and 42g carbs. This macro split makes it a solid all-around dinner option for hitting daily protein without being extremely lean.
How long does Italian Baked Chicken Meatballs take to prep?
This recipe qualifies as quick prep and yields 8 servings in one batch on the stovetop. You're preparing enough for multiple dinners in one cooking session.
Is Italian Baked Chicken Meatballs good for muscle gain?
At 36g protein per serving, this recipe works well during muscle gain phases when combined with other protein sources throughout the day. The 42g carbs support training performance and recovery.
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