This Trader Joe’s Chicken Meatballs copycat is a juicy and savory recipe, which uses lean ground chicken and aromatic Italian herbs. It’s a healthy meal prep staple, ready in about 30 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joes Chicken Meatballs Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground chicken
- ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs)
- ¼ cup milk (to soak breadcrumbs)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ small yellow onion, very finely diced (or grated)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for drizzling or brushing)
How To Make Trader Joes Chicken Meatballs
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make the panade: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Panko breadcrumbs and milk. Stir them together and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes. This paste (called a panade) keeps the lean chicken moist during baking.
- Combine the aromatics: To the soaked breadcrumbs, add the grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, finely diced onion, oregano, basil, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well combined.
- Mix in the chicken: Add the ground chicken to the bowl. Using your hands or a rubber spatula, gently mix the meat into the breadcrumb mixture until just combined. Do not overwork the meat, or the meatballs will become tough.
- Shape the meatballs: Wet your hands slightly with cold water (to prevent sticking). Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the mixture and roll it into a smooth ball. You should get about 12–15 meatballs. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart.
- Bake until golden: Brush or spray the tops of the meatballs with the olive oil to help them brown. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the meatballs are golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Recipe Tips
- The secret to moisture: Ground chicken is very lean and dries out easily. The step of soaking the breadcrumbs in milk (the panade) holds liquid inside the meatball as it cooks, ensuring a tender bite similar to the Trader Joe’s version.
- Finely mince the onion: Because these bake relatively quickly, you don’t want crunchy chunks of raw onion in the center. Grating the onion or dicing it extremely fine ensures it melts into the meatball.
- Get a better browning: The Trader Joe’s meatballs have a nice browned exterior. To replicate this, you can broil the meatballs for the last 2–3 minutes of cooking, but watch them closely so they don’t burn.
- Flavor variations: The standard TJ’s meatballs are fairly neutral/Italian. If you want the “Ginger” variation, swap the Italian herbs for 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger and 1 teaspoon of soy sauce.
What To Serve With Trader Joes Chicken Meatballs
These meatballs are incredibly versatile and work in many dishes.
- Marinara Sauce: Simmer in sauce and serve over spaghetti.
- Meatball Subs: Load into rolls with provolone cheese.
- Rice Bowls: Serve with roasted veggies and quinoa.
- Appetizers: Serve with toothpicks and barbecue sauce.
How To Store Trader Joes Chicken Meatballs
- Refrigerate: Store cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Allow the meatballs to cool completely. Freeze them on a baking sheet first (flash freezing), then transfer to a freezer bag. They will keep for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1–2 minutes or simmer directly in sauce until heated through.
Trader Joes Chicken Meatballs Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 180kcal
- Protein: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fat: 9g
- Saturates: 2.5g
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Salt: 0.4g
Nutrition information is estimated per serving (3 meatballs).
FAQs
Can I make these in an Air Fryer?
Yes. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Spray the basket and the meatballs with oil. Cook for 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Are these gluten-free?
The recipe as written uses Panko breadcrumbs, which contain wheat. To make them gluten-free, substitute the Panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour.
Why is my mixture too wet?
Ground chicken varies in moisture content. If the mixture is too sticky to roll, add another tablespoon of breadcrumbs or refrigerate the mixture for 15 minutes to firm up the fat before shaping.
Trader Joes Chicken Meatballs Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: EasyServings
4
servingsPrep time
15
minutesCooking time
20
minutesCalories
180
kcalA homemade version of the popular freezer-aisle staple, these chicken meatballs are tender, seasoned with Italian herbs, and perfect for versatile meal prepping.
Ingredients
1 lb ground chicken
½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
¼ cup milk
¼ cup Parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ onion, finely diced
oregano
1 tsp basil
Salt and pepper
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet.
- Mix breadcrumbs and milk in a large bowl; let sit for 5 minutes.
- Add Parmesan, egg, garlic, onion, and spices to the breadcrumbs.
- Add ground chicken and mix gently until combined.
- Roll mixture into 12-15 golf-ball sized meatballs.
- Place on baking sheet and brush lightly with olive oil.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until cooked through (165°F).
- Serve immediately or freeze for meal prep.
Notes
- Using wet hands to roll the meatballs prevents the sticky chicken mixture from clinging to your fingers and helps create a smooth, round shape.
- Do not skip the resting step for the breadcrumbs and milk; this panade is essential for preventing the lean chicken from becoming rubbery in the oven.
- If you plan to simmer these in sauce later, slightly underbake them by about 5 minutes so they can finish cooking in the sauce without drying out.
