Trader Joe’s Chicken Meatballs Recipe

This tender, juicy Trader Joes Chicken Meatballs Recipe is made with ground chicken, fresh herbs, and garlic, ready in 30 minutes. The golden crust forms in the pan while the inside stays beautifully moist. I love having these prepared for quick weeknight pasta or grain bowls.

Why This Classic Works

I used to buy these pre-made every week until I realized how simple they are to recreate at home. The secret is skipping the heavy breadcrumbs and using just a touch of parmesan to bind the meat.

If you over-mix ground chicken, the meatballs turn tough and dry. Gently folding the herbs into the meat yields a much softer, more authentic texture.

Trader Joes Chicken Meatballs Recipe Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)

How To Make Trader Joes Chicken Meatballs Recipe

1. Mix the base: In a large bowl, gently combine ground chicken, Parmesan, garlic, oregano, parsley, onion powder, salt, and pepper until just incorporated.
2. Form the meatballs: Scoop 1-inch portions of the mixture and roll them loosely between wet hands to prevent sticking.
3. Sear the meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the meatballs for 8-10 minutes, turning often until browned on all sides.
4. Finish cooking: Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and cook for another 5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Recipe Tips

• Keep hands wet: Rolling the sticky chicken mixture with damp hands prevents a messy situation and keeps the spheres smooth.
• Do not over-mix: Ground chicken gets rubbery quickly, so fold the ingredients just until they are evenly distributed.
• Check the temp: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the center hits 165 degrees Fahrenheit without drying them out by overcooking.

What To Serve With Chicken Meatballs

These pair beautifully with buttered egg noodles or a simple marinara spaghetti. You can also drop them into a warm pita with tzatziki and crisp cucumbers for a quick lunch.

How To Store

Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them flat on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

FAQs

• Can I bake these instead of pan-frying? Yes, you can bake them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-18 minutes on a lined baking sheet.
• Can I use ground turkey? Ground turkey works perfectly as a direct substitute if you cannot find ground chicken.
• Why are my meatballs falling apart? Chicken meatballs are delicate. Make sure your skillet is fully heated before adding them so a crust forms immediately.

Nutrition

• Calories: 210 kcal
• Total Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Cholesterol: 105mg
• Sodium: 420mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 2g
• Protein: 23g

Try More Recipes:

• Trader Joes Pesto Chicken Recipe
• Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Chicken Salad Recipe
• Trader Joes Chicken Sausage Recipe

Trader Joes Chicken Meatballs Recipe

Recipe by Nate Collins

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Total time

30

minutes

Trader Joes Chicken Meatballs Recipe brings tender, juicy, herb-packed chicken bites to your table in just 30 minutes. Featuring ground chicken, parmesan, and fresh parsley, these simple pan-seared meatballs make weeknight dinners effortless and versatile.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chicken

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

• 1/2 tsp onion powder

• 1/2 tsp kosher salt

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

• 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)

Directions

• 1. Mix the base: In a large bowl, gently combine ground chicken, Parmesan, garlic, oregano, parsley, onion powder, salt, and pepper until just incorporated.
• 2. Form the meatballs: Scoop 1-inch portions of the mixture and roll them loosely between wet hands to prevent sticking.
• 3. Sear the meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the meatballs for 8-10 minutes, turning often until browned on all sides.
• 4. Finish cooking: Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and cook for another 5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.