"Chicken parmesan meatballs with marinara and melted mozzarella on a black plate"

Keto Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

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The ultimate low-carb comfort food – juicy, cheesy, and ready in under an hour

KEY INFO
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Servings: 4 (16 meatballs)
  • Calories: 350 per serving
  • Fat: 22g
  • Protein: 35g
  • Net Carbs: 3g
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Dietary: Keto, Low-carb, Gluten-free

EQUIPMENT NEEDED
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Cookie scoop or measuring spoon
  • Meat thermometer (recommended)
INGREDIENTS

For the Meatballs:

  • 1 pound (450g) ground chicken
  • 1/2 cup (50g) almond flour (or 1 cup crushed pork rinds)
  • 1/3 cup (30g) grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Topping:

  • 1 cup (240ml) sugar-free marinara sauce
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh basil (optional garnish)

METHOD
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C)
  2. Combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl
    Mix gently with hands until just combined – don’t overmix
  3. Form mixture into 16 equal-sized meatballs (about 1.5 inches each)
    Place on parchment-lined baking sheet
  4. Bake for 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C)
  5. Remove from oven, top each meatball with marinara and mozzarella
  6. Return to oven for 5 minutes or until cheese melts and bubbles

CRUCIAL TIPS
  • Use cold ingredients for easier meatball forming
  • Wet hands prevent mixture from sticking while rolling
  • Don’t pack meatballs too tightly
  • Leave space between meatballs on baking sheet
STORAGE & VARIATIONS

Storage:

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Freeze uncooked meatballs for up to 3 months
  • Reheat in oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes

Common Mistakes:

  • Overmixing makes tough meatballs
  • Overcooking leads to dryness
  • Skipping parchment paper risks sticking

Variations:

  • Stuff with small mozzarella cubes
  • Use ground turkey instead of chicken
  • Add red pepper flakes for heat
  • Switch marinara for alfredo sauce

Recipe tested and perfected for optimal keto macros while maintaining authentic Italian flavors.

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