Easy Parmesan Chicken Bites
Juicy oven-baked chicken bites with a crispy Parmesan crust, topped with a creamy cheese sauce and served over mashed potatoes. Perfect for cozy weeknight meals or family dinners.
Equipment
- 1 baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- 1 saucepan
- 1 whisk
- 1 baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups milk or half-and-half
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Mashed potatoes or cauliflower purée for serving
- Fresh parsley or thyme for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, gently mix ground chicken, egg, panko, Parmesan, garlic, parsley, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until just combined.
- Shape the mixture into golf-ball-sized balls and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake chicken bites for 20 to 25 minutes until cooked through and golden on top.
- While chicken bakes, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk until mixture is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Stir in Parmesan, mozzarella, nutmeg, salt, and pepper until sauce is creamy.
- Transfer baked chicken bites to a baking dish and pour the creamy sauce over them.
- Broil for 3 to 5 minutes until sauce is bubbly and lightly golden.
- Serve warm over mashed potatoes or cauliflower purée and garnish with fresh herbs.
Notes
- Avoid overmixing the chicken mixture for tender bites.
- Chill mixture 10 minutes if shaping is sticky.
- Sauce can be made ahead and reheated with milk.
- Substitute ground turkey if preferred.