Soft and easy chicken meatballs as appetizers or main, served with barbecue / marinara sauce.
Today it is meatball time!
Not beef. Not pork. Not veal. Not turkey.
Lean ground chicken.
Healthy but can be a little dry. Not these babies.
Mashed ripe avocado is mixed into the ground chicken for some healthy fat and moisture.
Serve these with barbecue or marinara sauce for dipping.
Toss them into favorite tomato sauce for a healthier take on spaghetti and meatballs.
Make them into sliders or toss into salads (replacing grilled chicken).
This is a revised recipe with a few modifications. It was initially posted here.
If you'd like to learn on the health benefits of avocado, then I suggest you to check out this article.
Skill level - Easy
Baked Chicken Avocado Meatballs
Ingredients:
1 pound ground chicken
1 large egg
½ cup breadcrumbs
½ cup grated mozzarella cheese
⅓ cup mashed avocado, about 1 medium
2 tablespoons minced onion
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon garlic powder
⅛ teaspoon pepper powder
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, until thoroughly mixed.
3. Using a 1 ½ tablespoon measure ice cream scoop, make about 25 balls and place them on the greased baking sheet, about 1-inch apart (wet hands help in shaping smooth balls. Have a small bowl filled with water, dip the palm of your hands and shape them with ease). If you do not have an ice cream scoop, simply use a heaped tablespoon measure chicken mixture to make balls.
4. Spray the tops with a coating of non-stick cooking spray, place baking sheet in the middle of the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes.
5. Place baking sheet on a wire rack to cool.
6. Serve meatballs with barbecue or marinara sauce.
Makes 25 balls
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Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats
I love that you added the avocado for moisture! These meatballs sound so yummy and healthy! Definitely need to make these! Xoxo 🙂
Maria Doss
Thanks Kelly. Hope you are having a great fourth of July:)
Patrick@looneyforfood.com
Love it! Avocado is so versitile !
Maria Doss
Thanks Patrick, have a great weekend:)
Deepika|TheLoveOfCakes
Wow! There is an avocado hidden in those yummy looking meatballs 😀 That is a smart way to extract the nutrition out of the avocados 🙂
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
Avocado is such a perfect addition! I bet these are the best meatballs ever :). Have a great week, Maria!
heather (delicious not gorgeous)
i love the idea of adding avocado to meatballs!! and with cheese, too?! salivating right. now.
Maria Doss
Thanks dear:)
Kari
Could you make it into a meat loaf? Using the same Ingredients? I am trying the meatballs tonight, they sound WONDERFUL!
Maria Doss
I don't see why not! I'd suggest reducing the oven temp to 350 F and baking for longer time , so that the chicken is cooked all the way through. Hope you like it:)
jasmine
Do you think these would freeze well? I'm trying to figure out how to incorporate new recipes into my meal prep!
Maria Doss
I have some in my freezer right now. I'd usually thaw at room temperature and heat with some sauce. Hope it helps:)
Daphne
Is it okay if I replaced the bread crumbs with oatmeal or something that's not bread and then left the cheese out as well?
Maria Doss
Please check out this recipe - https://www.kitchenathoskins.com/avocado-chicken-burgers/
This does not have cheese and may be you try powdered oats instead of breadcrumbs. Make them into meatballs and pan fry them. Hope its helpful, let me know how it goes:)
Stacey
I've made these with oats, and I've also made them using almond flour instead of breadcrumbs. Both variations turned out well!
Maria Doss
Hi Stacey, Loving all the variations, glad you liked it 🙂
Brittany
I made these tonight and they were DEEEELICIOUS! I was little nervous on how’d they taste, but they were a really big hit with the husband. I used a premade sweet and sour marinade and served them over rice!! So good!
Maria Doss
So glad you loved it:)
Angelica Villalobos
Could u substitute the chicken for extra lean ground beef?
Maria Doss
I'm so sorry. I don't eat beef so I won't be able to answer you. Ground turkey should work well though. Sorry again:)
Debra
Great recipe! I made a double batch last week and froze half. They were perfect for dinner and taking the rest for UH tailgating today! Thank you for this deliciousness!!!
Maria Doss
You are so welcome! So glad you liked it:)
Nichole
How are you freezing them so they dont stick together and when you take them out and want to eat them how are you cooking them.
Maria Doss
Hi Nichole, I usually like to place cooked and cooled meatballs in a baking sheet and place in the freezer for at least couple of hours or several hours. When they are frozen solid, remove the meatballs and transfer them into ziplock bags,seal and freeze. This method will ensure that the meatballs stay separated when frozen.
To thaw -
If you have the time, then you can remove as many meatballs as you'd like and thaw at room temperature until defrosted completely. Add to your favorite sauce or heat in the microwave.
If you are in a rush. then remove as many meatballs as you'd like and thaw in the microwave, until heated through.
Hope it helps:)
Barbara Lenox
My friend made these and while still hot she rolled them in Sweet Onion Dressing. Oh so good.
Maria Doss
I'm loving the idea of sweet onion dressing:)