The ultimate comfort food just got a delicious upgrade! These Stuffing Mix Chicken Meatballs combine tender ground chicken with the seasoned goodness of stuffing mix, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs. Quick to prepare and bursting with cozy flavor, they’re an easy solution for busy weeknights or casual entertaining.
Baked until golden and juicy, these meatballs are as versatile as they are tasty. Serve them as appetizers with a dipping sauce, toss them with pasta, or build the ultimate meatball sub. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have a hearty, satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
Full Recipe:
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1 (6-ounce) box stuffing mix (like Stove Top)
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1 cup hot water
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2 large eggs
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1 pound ground chicken
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1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/2 teaspoon onion powder
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, combine the stuffing mix and hot water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the water is absorbed.
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Add the eggs, ground chicken, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the bowl.
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Mix everything together gently with your hands or a spoon until combined. Do not overmix.
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Scoop out heaping tablespoons of the mixture and form into meatballs.
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Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and brush or spray with olive oil.
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Bake for 18-20 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).
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Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce or over pasta!
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes
Kcal: 210 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
The Comforting Story Behind Stuffing Mix Chicken Meatballs
When it comes to cozy, hearty meals, few dishes capture the essence of comfort food quite like Stuffing Mix Chicken Meatballs. This recipe brilliantly merges the nostalgic flavors of classic stuffing with tender, juicy ground chicken to create bite-sized delights that can fit into almost any meal plan. It’s the kind of dish that brings memories of holiday feasts and family gatherings straight to your everyday dinner table — but without the stress or hours of cooking.
Stuffing has long been a cornerstone of comforting home meals, especially during special occasions like Thanksgiving. By blending the seasoned, aromatic qualities of stuffing mix into juicy chicken meatballs, this recipe gives you all the savory, herbaceous goodness of stuffing in a more versatile, portable form. It’s a clever kitchen hack that saves time while maximizing flavor, making it ideal for busy weeknights, casual parties, or meal prepping.
Why Stuffing Mix Chicken Meatballs Are a Game-Changer
One of the key reasons this dish stands out is its brilliant use of stuffing mix as both a flavor booster and binder. Typically, breadcrumbs or panko are added to meatballs to help hold their shape and keep them moist. Using a seasoned stuffing mix instead doesn’t just fulfill that role—it enhances the overall flavor profile significantly. Stuffing mix is already packed with dried herbs, spices, and seasonings, meaning you get a deep, savory taste in every bite without needing a long list of additional ingredients.
Ground chicken, known for being a leaner protein compared to beef or pork, can sometimes be prone to dryness. However, the moisture-retaining quality of the soaked stuffing mix ensures that these meatballs remain incredibly juicy and tender on the inside while achieving a deliciously golden crust on the outside when baked.
Another advantage? The versatility. These meatballs aren’t tied down to a single cuisine or mealtime. They can be featured as a main course alongside mashed potatoes and gravy, transformed into a hearty meatball sub, or even served with marinara and pasta for a creative Italian twist. They’re equally delightful served cold as part of a picnic spread or lunchbox.
Perfect for Meal Prepping and Make-Ahead Dinners
In today’s fast-paced world, recipes that offer make-ahead convenience are pure gold. Stuffing Mix Chicken Meatballs freeze beautifully, making them a prime candidate for batch cooking. You can double or even triple the recipe, bake them all at once, and then freeze the extras for quick dinners or protein-packed snacks throughout the week.
Reheating is simple—just pop them in the oven, toaster oven, or even an air fryer for a few minutes, and they come out tasting as fresh as when first baked. This make-ahead quality not only saves time but also helps ensure that you always have something wholesome and homemade ready to go, even on your busiest days.
Serving Ideas to Make Your Meatballs Shine
While these meatballs are certainly delicious on their own, pairing them with complementary sides and sauces can elevate them even further. Here are a few ideas to spark inspiration:
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Classic Comfort: Serve the meatballs over a bed of buttery mashed potatoes, topped with a rich brown gravy or turkey gravy. Add steamed green beans or roasted carrots for a complete meal.
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Pasta Night: Toss the meatballs in a creamy Alfredo sauce or a homemade tomato basil sauce and serve over fettuccine or spaghetti.
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Appetizer Style: Skewer them with cocktail sticks and offer a variety of dips such as honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or ranch dressing for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
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Meatball Subs: Pile the meatballs into toasted hoagie rolls, add provolone cheese, and broil until melted and bubbly for a mouthwatering sandwich experience.
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Healthy Bowls: Create a nutritious meal bowl with quinoa, roasted veggies, and a drizzle of tzatziki sauce.
The options are endless, allowing you to tailor the meal to your taste preferences or dietary needs with ease.
Tips for the Best Stuffing Mix Chicken Meatballs
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Don’t Overmix: When combining the ingredients, mix just until everything is incorporated. Overworking the mixture can lead to tough meatballs.
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Use Fresh Herbs: While dried herbs in the stuffing mix add plenty of flavor, adding a handful of chopped fresh parsley or chives brightens the taste even more.
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Olive Oil Brush: Brushing the meatballs lightly with olive oil before baking ensures they achieve a beautiful, appetizing golden color without needing to fry them.
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Uniform Size: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to ensure that your meatballs are roughly the same size. This helps them cook evenly and stay juicy.
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Check Internal Temperature: Always check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption, especially with poultry.
Health Benefits and Nutritional Notes
Choosing ground chicken as the main protein makes this a leaner and slightly healthier option compared to beef or pork meatballs. Ground chicken is lower in saturated fat, and when baked instead of fried, the dish becomes even more health-conscious without sacrificing flavor.
Additionally, the portion control offered by individual meatballs means it’s easier to keep track of servings. You can pair them with vegetable-rich sides to create a balanced meal rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Using low-sodium stuffing mix and controlling the added salt can further make this dish suitable for a wider range of diets.
A Dish That Brings People Together
There’s something about meatballs that feels inherently communal and heartwarming. Maybe it’s their small, shareable size or the comforting memories they evoke of family meals and cozy gatherings. Stuffing Mix Chicken Meatballs tap directly into that emotion, combining familiar flavors in a format that feels both new and nostalgically satisfying.
Whether you’re cooking for your immediate family, preparing snacks for a party, or simply wanting to stock your freezer with wholesome meals, these meatballs deliver joy, convenience, and incredible flavor with every bite.
Conclusion
Stuffing Mix Chicken Meatballs are a beautiful fusion of two comfort food classics—savory stuffing and juicy meatballs. They’re quick, easy, and versatile, making them an ideal solution for weeknight dinners, holiday gatherings, or make-ahead meal plans. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal hands-on time, you can create a dish that’s deeply satisfying, crowd-pleasing, and loaded with rich, herby goodness.
Beyond their flavor, these meatballs offer practicality. They freeze well, reheat beautifully, and pair with almost any sauce or side dish you can imagine. Whether you’re looking for a new family favorite or a creative way to use pantry staples, Stuffing Mix Chicken Meatballs are the ultimate answer.
Bring a touch of comfort, nostalgia, and hearty goodness to your table today—one delicious, tender meatball at a time.