If you have been seeing Hailey Bieber’s chicken meatballs all over TikTok, this is one viral recipe that actually lives up to the hype. These chicken meatballs are tender, flavorful, and covered in marinara sauce, creamy cottage cheese, and Parmesan cheese. The combination sounds simple, but the flavors work so well together.
I was pleasantly surprised by how satisfying these meatballs were without pasta or another carb-heavy side. The cottage cheese adds a creamy, slightly tangy element while also adding extra protein. This is an easy weeknight dinner that feels comforting without being overly heavy.
Try out these other viral cottage cheese recipes - Cottage Cheese Pancakes (High Protein), Viral Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip, or this Viral Cottage Cheese Flatbread (3 Ways!) - This flatbread is also low carb!
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Why This Works
There are a few reasons these chicken meatballs are so good. Ground chicken makes them lighter than traditional beef meatballs, while the egg and breadcrumbs help keep them tender and hold their shape.
The seasoning gives the chicken plenty of flavor, and a little chicken base adds even more savory flavor. Baking the meatballs keeps the recipe simple and eliminates the need to stand over a skillet cooking them in batches.
Once the meatballs are cooked, they are tossed with warm marinara sauce and topped with cottage cheese and Parmesan. The warm marinara slightly softens the cottage cheese, creating a creamy topping that is surprisingly delicious.
Ingredients Needed
- Ground chicken: I use 93/7 ground chicken for flavorful, juicy meatballs.
- Egg: Helps bind the ingredients together and keeps the meatballs tender.
- Italian breadcrumbs: Add structure and help create a soft texture. Gluten-free Italian breadcrumbs work well.
- Garlic powder: Adds savory garlic flavor throughout the meatballs.
- Onion powder: Gives the meatballs another layer of savory flavor.
- Paprika: Adds mild flavor and a little color.
- Italian seasoning: A simple way to add classic Italian herbs.
- Better Than Bouillon chicken base: Optional, but it adds a wonderful savory chicken flavor.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning the meatball mixture.
- Marinara sauce: Use your favorite marinara sauce, either homemade or store-bought.
- Cottage cheese: The unexpected topping that makes these meatballs creamy and adds protein.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, nutty finish.
How to Make Chicken Meatballs
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. Add the ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, chicken base, salt, and pepper to a large bowl.
Mix everything together gently until well combined. Be careful not to overmix the chicken because this can make the meatballs tough.
Shape the mixture into approximately 16 meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Please note, her recipe doesn't call for parmesan cheese inside the meatballs but I added about ⅓ cup in there.
While the meatballs are baking, warm the marinara sauce in a large skillet or saucepan. When the meatballs are finished, transfer them to the marinara sauce and gently toss to coat.
Serve the meatballs with plenty of marinara sauce. Add a spoonful of cottage cheese over the top and finish with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Pro Tips for Hailey Bieber's Chicken Meatballs
Do not overmix the ground chicken. Mix just until everything is combined for the most tender meatballs.
A cookie scoop makes it much easier to create evenly sized meatballs so they cook at the same rate.
For extra flavor, do not skip the Better Than Bouillon chicken base if you have some available.
I recommend adding the cottage cheese after the meatballs have been cooked rather than stirring it into the marinara. This gives you that creamy topping that makes the recipe so unique.
You can also add extra Parmesan before serving. More cheese is always a good idea!
Storage
Store leftover meatballs and marinara in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For the best texture, store the cottage cheese separately and add it after reheating.
You can also freeze the cooked meatballs. Let them cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in marinara sauce.
Serving Suggestions
These chicken meatballs are filling enough to enjoy on their own, especially if you are looking for a lower-carb meal. Serve them with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, zucchini noodles, or steamed vegetables.
If you prefer a traditional Italian-style dinner, serve them over spaghetti, your favorite pasta, or spaghetti squash. They are also delicious with crusty bread for soaking up the marinara sauce.
For my favorite serving method, I like putting several meatballs in a bowl with extra marinara, cottage cheese, and Parmesan. It is simple, high in protein, and incredibly satisfying.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Ground turkey can be substituted for ground chicken in the same amount.
Yes. Air fry the meatballs at 375°F for about 12 to 15 minutes, depending on their size. Always check that the center reaches 165°F.
No, but it is highly recommended. The creamy cottage cheese is one of the best parts of this recipe and adds extra protein.
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Hailey Bieber Chicken Meatballs with Cottage Cheese
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 22 min
- Total Time: 32 min
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low-Carb
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp Better Than Bouillon chicken base
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 30 oz marinara sauce
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Add ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, chicken base, salt, and pepper to a bowl. Mix until just combined.
- Shape into approximately 16 meatballs.
- Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Warm marinara sauce in a skillet or saucepan.
- Add cooked meatballs to the marinara and gently toss to coat.
- Serve topped with cottage cheese and Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Add ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, chicken base, salt, and pepper to a bowl. Mix until just combined.
- Shape into approximately 16 meatballs.
- Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Warm marinara sauce in a skillet or saucepan.
- Add cooked meatballs to the marinara and gently toss to coat.
- Serve topped with cottage cheese and Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
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