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Healthy Low Carb Spinach Chicken Meatballs

low carb spinach chicken meatballs - featured image

A quick and easy low carb spinach chicken meatballs recipe that is protein-packed, flavorful, and perfect for snacks or meals. These meatballs are moist, cheesy, and kid-friendly, making them a versatile and healthy choice.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground chicken
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach, packed and finely chopped
  • ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Optional: ¼ tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry 2 cups of fresh baby spinach. Chop finely by hand or pulse in a food processor until small but not pureed. (Approx. 5 minutes)
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, chopped spinach, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, dried Italian herbs, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Mix gently until just combined. (Approx. 5 minutes)
  3. Shape the mixture into 1.5-inch diameter meatballs, about 18 meatballs total. (Approx. 5 minutes)
  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in a single layer without crowding. Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until bottoms are golden brown.
  5. Flip meatballs carefully, reduce heat to medium-low, cover with a lid, and cook for another 6-8 minutes, turning once halfway through, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  6. Transfer cooked meatballs to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Let rest for a few minutes before serving. (Approx. 2 minutes)
  7. Optional baking method: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place meatballs on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check doneness with a meat thermometer.

Notes

Do not overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender. Use fresh spinach for best results; if using frozen, thaw and squeeze out excess water. Medium heat is key to avoid burning. Let meatballs rest after cooking to lock in juices. Wet your hands slightly when shaping to prevent sticking. For binding, almond flour or crushed pork rinds can be added if mixture is too wet. Test cook one meatball first to adjust seasoning or texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: low carb, chicken meatballs, spinach, healthy snack, keto, protein-packed, easy recipe, homemade meatballs