Chicken Parmesan Meatballs with melted cheese in a cast iron skillet

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs takes your classic comfort food favorite, gives it a wholesome, low-carb update and is just one of many delicious recipes from the “Atkins: Eat Right, Not Less” guidebook for living a low-carb and low-sugar lifestyle.

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs with melted cheese in a cast iron skillet
Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs takes your classic comfort food favorite, gives it a wholesome, low-carb update and is just one of many delicious recipes from the “Atkins: Eat Right, Not Less” guidebook for living a low-carb and low-sugar lifestyle. This post is sponsored by Atkins.

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs in a cast iron skillet next to a copy of Atkins: Eat Right, Not Less guidebook

In just a few hours, the clock will chime midnight, and after kisses, hugs, celebratory toasts and well-deserved sleeps, many of us will wake up to greet the new year motivated to make 2018 our best year yet.

What does that mean for you?

I’m not one for resolutions, but having a blank slate ahead is inspiring, and a wonderful time to begin new endeavors. If you’re like me, after months of celebratory eating, this is the time of year I want to pare back and re-work favorite recipes into something wholesome yet still very delicious and familiar.

Atkins: Eat Right, Not Less guidebook surrounded by ingredients on a wooden board

When I recently had the opportunity to partner with Atkins to cook from their new “Atkins: Eat Right, Not Less” guidebook, I was excited to see that each recipe in the book does just that, with classics that make it easy to live a low-carb and low-sugar lifestyle. After all the holiday eating, I especially welcome this kind of cooking — it’s not about restriction but about finding that balance our bodies crave this time of year.

A recipe photo inside Atkins: Eat Right: Not Less guidebook

A peek inside Atkins: Eat Right, Not Less

Whether it’s a 15-minute meal or one pot wonders, “Atkins: Eat Right, Not Less” has so many recipes the whole family will love. And it’s not just savory dishes! The book also features a guide to the “Hidden Sugar Effect” – foods that you think are healthy that actually turn into sugar when digested. You don’t see the sugars, but your body does. The book teaches you how to identify Hidden Sugars, so you can avoid them. The book also teaches you how to eat the right balance of proteins, healthy fats and nutrient-dense carbohydrates, even when it comes to desserts.

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs in a cast iron skillet next to a copy of Atkins: Eat Right, Not Less guidebook

Now there’s nothing more comforting than meatballs, am I right? I’m always trying to find ways to improve meatballs — whether it’s by swapping out meats, adding beans or pulses, or simply finding ways to make meatballs lighter and less dense. I was really curious about this recipe, since it starts with grinding your own chicken breast — to be honest, I am always quick to buy pre-ground chicken, but I do think that grinding it yourself, which took just mere seconds in my food processor, really makes a huge difference. There is less water content and a cleaner texture, perfect for the add-ins in these Chicken Parmesan Meatballs.

Ingredients for Chicken Parmesan Meatballs in a glass bowl

Flour blend from Atkins: Eat Right, Not Less for Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Speaking of add-ins, the other part of the recipe I was intrigued about is the flour blend that the Atkins book uses in so many of the recipes. With a wholesome mix of flours, including wheat germ and protein powder, I couldn’t wait to see how it worked in place of breadcrumbs.

And there’s one more thing that I was excited about. Cheese! This meatball is cheesy, just as I like it, and perhaps the biggest surprise was that there was cream cheese, too!

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs in a cast iron skillet on a white board background

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs with melted cheese being served from a cast iron skillet

I have to say, comfort food never tasted so good, and my family loved the Chicken Parmesan Meatballs! It strikes the perfect balance of flavor, doesn’t sacrifice comfort, and is a recipe I will be happy to turn to time and again, resolution season and beyond.

Learn more about “Atkins: Eat Right, Not Less” at www.AtkinsEatRightNotLess.com

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs with melted cheese in a cast iron skillet

Can’t get enough meatballs?  Enjoy these other delicious meatball recipes!

Thai-style Meatballs with Rice Noodles
Albóndigas with Olives
Filipino Meatball Noodle Soup:  Misua Bola-bola
Filipino Pork Barbecue Bowl and Spicy Korean-style Meatball Bowl

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Atkins. The opinions and text are all mine.

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Chicken Parmesan Meatballs takes your classic comfort food favorite, gives it a wholesome, low-carb update and is just one of many delicious recipes from the “Atkins: Eat Right, Not Less” guidebook for living a low-carb and low-sugar lifestyle.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 628kcal

Ingredients

For the Atkins Flour Mix:

  • 1/4 cup wheat bran
  • 1 1/8 cups whole grain soy flour
  • 2/3 cup vanilla whey protein powder
  • 1/4 cup golden flaxseed meal
  • 2/3 cup vital wheat gluten flour

For the Chicken Parmesan Meatballs:

  • 3 skinless boneless chicken breasts (18 oz total), cubed (see notes below)
  • 1/2 cup Atkins Flour Mix
  • 1/2 cup full-fat cream cheese room temperature
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • olive oil spray
  • 1 cup low-sugar marinara sauce from a jar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted chicken broth
  • 1 oz mozzarella cheese sliced
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

For the Atkins Flour Mix:

  • Combine all the ingredients and mix thoroughly. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

For the Chicken Parmesan Meatballs:

  • Place the chicken in the food processor, pulsing to chop until ground.
  • Combine the chicken, Atkins Flour Mix, cream cheese, egg, garlic, oregano and salt in a large bowl. Mix well with your hand until well incorporated. Roll into 2-inch balls. You should have about a dozen meatballs.
  • Coat a large skillet with olive oil spray, and place over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are browned on all sides. Reduce the heat to low, and add the marinara sauce and broth. Cover and cook 4 to 5 minutes more, until the meatballs are cooked through.
  • Top with the sliced mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Cover and cook for another minute or so to melt the cheese.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Since the size of chicken breast can vary greatly, take the time to weigh the chicken and go by the total weight versus quantity.
Recipe courtesy the “Atkins: Eat Right, Not Less” guidebook for living a low-carb and low-sugar lifestyle.

Nutrition

Calories: 628kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 61g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 167mg | Sodium: 1012mg | Potassium: 1622mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1300IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 373mg | Iron: 7.4mg
Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see! Tag @kitchconfidante on Instagram and hashtag it #kitchenconfidante

Comments

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. SusanFord

    I’m new to low carb and am pleased with my loss so far. The problem is insecurity and not wanting to regain so am VERY careful about net carbs. Could I ask if you could post ingredient values so I can determine net carbs? Thank you for you consideration

    Reply
    • Liren Baker

      Hi Susan, I understand your concern understanding the net carbs in the recipe! Adding nutritional values is something I am working on adding to all the recipes on my site. For this recipe, here is the nutrition information per serving (this serves 4):
      Net Carbs: 5.1g
      Calories: 359 cal
      Total Carbs: 6.7g
      Fiber: 1.6g
      Protein: 37.7g
      Fat: 21.3g
      FV= 1.8

      Reply
  2. Kat

    It sounds very good but i cant eat wheat or gluten or soy lol or dairy.

    Reply
    • Liren Baker

      I’m so sorry that this recipe won’t work out for you as written, as there are so many ingredients to substitute! However, you could try to substitute vegan cheeses, and perhaps ground oats in place of the Atkins Flour mix. If you try it out, do let me know how it works for you.

      Reply
  3. Paula D

    I am intrigued by this recipe and will definitely check-out the cookbook. But vanilla-flavored protein powder in meatballs? Ugh! Wouldn’t plain be much better?

    Reply
    • Liren Baker

      Hi Paula, Like you I was a little concerned when I saw the vanilla-flavored protein powder, but the truth is, you don’t taste any vanilla at all. If you substituted with plain protein powder I imagine it would work just as well. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  4. Liz

    I feel SO much better when I eliminate the simple carbs. This cookbook looks wonderful as do these meatballs which I need on our menu ASAP!

    Reply
    • Liren Baker

      I know you will love this cookbook, Liz! There are so many creative ways to eat well without sacrificing flavor!

      Reply
Kitchen Confidante®
871