Chicken Meatballs With Parmesan is a comfort meal that can be low carb and keto-friendly ~ or subtly carb-a-Licious ~ with just a few differences and can change out how you like them.

This is my type of meal. I couldn’t stop thinking about it ever since I purchased the ingredients for them. It’s been some time since I’ve created meatballs with ground chicken, and I love how it lightens them up.

Low Carb Chicken Meatballs

Meatballs most frequently contain breadcrumbs within the mixture, which helps to give the meatballs a looser, more appealing texture. I’ve substituted almond flour (you also can use Parmesan cheese) for the crumbs.

Tomato sauce is usually filled with hidden sugars. I’m using a brand that I really like that has no added sugars in it, Rao’s. I also like the Arrabbiata spicy version, which adds spice to my casserole dish.

I serve these meatballs all by themselves, with a green salad on the side, so there are no more added carbs in this meal. Meatballs created in this fashion are an excellent way to get a delicious high-protein meal and are also very satisfying if you’re cutting off carbs.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• 2 pounds ground chicken

• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

• ½ cup almond meal (plus extra for rolling)

• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• ½ cup onion, finely grated

• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced (or more, to taste)

• ½ cup whole milk ricotta cheese

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Olive oil, for brushing

For the Casserole

• 32 oz jar Rao’s Marinara Sauce (or another no-sugar-added tomato sauce)

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Make the Meatball Mixture

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, eggs, almond meal, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, grated onion, garlic, ricotta, and Parmesan.

2. Mix gently until everything is evenly incorporated — don’t overmix or the meatballs can turn dense.

3. Form the Meatballs

1. Scoop out about ½ cup of the mixture for each meatball. The mixture will be moist — that’s normal.

2. Shape into round balls and place in a single layer in a large baking dish.

3. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight if prepping ahead.

   • If refrigerating overnight, reduce oven heat to 350°F (175°C) for baking.

4. Bake the Meatballs

1. Brush the bottom of a baking pan with olive oil.

2. Roll each meatball lightly in almond meal and place them in the pan.

3. Brush the tops generously with olive oil.

4. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until they begin to set and lightly brown.

5. Add Sauce & Finish Baking

1. Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the meatballs.

2. Return to the oven for another 20 minutes.

6. Add Cheese & Broil

1. Top with shredded mozzarella and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling, about 5–7 minutes.

2. For a golden, slightly crispy top, switch to Broil for 1–2 minutes — but keep a close eye to prevent burning.

7. Serve

Let the casserole rest for a few minutes, then serve warm, topped with fresh basil or extra Parmesan if you like.

Tips & Notes

• Moist mixture: Don’t worry if the mixture feels wet — the ricotta keeps the meatballs juicy.

• Meal prep: Form the meatballs a day ahead and refrigerate until ready to bake.

• Serving ideas: Pair with a simple green salad or zucchini noodles for a complete low-carb meal.

Make-Ahead & Storage

• Make-Ahead: Assemble and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

• Freezer-Friendly: Freeze baked and cooled meatballs (without sauce) for up to 2 months. Reheat in sauce until hot.

If you’ve liked this recipe, please check this Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs Best Recipe.

When you make this Popeyes Chicken Sandwich Recipe, you will be instantly teleported to Popeyes but won’t have to be confronted with long lines or sold-out signs!

You eat plenty of chicken sandwiches in your life. However, this one is the one that stops you in your thoughts and stays in your mind long once you ate it. It’s wonderful. It’s good. It makes me really happy, and this version is simply as wonderful if not better than the original.

Also, be sure to check the Popeyes Blackened Ranch Sauce recipe!

Ditch the store-bought hot sauce and make your own Louisiana-style sauce for Popeyes’ spicy recipe. 

Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade

• 2 chicken breasts, pounded and cut in half (for sandwich-sized portions)

• 1 cup buttermilk

• 2 large eggs, beaten

• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon sea salt

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 tablespoon Louisiana hot sauce

For the Chicken Breading & Frying

• Vegetable oil (for frying)

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• ¾ cup cornstarch

• 1½ tablespoons paprika

• 1½ tablespoons garlic powder

• 1½ tablespoons onion powder

• 1½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning

• 1½ tablespoons cayenne pepper

• 2 teaspoons sea salt

• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper

For the Spicy Mayo & Assembly

• ¾ cup mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoons Louisiana hot sauce

• 2 teaspoons paprika

• 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 4 brioche buns

• Kosher dill pickle slices

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, cayenne, paprika, sea salt, black pepper, and hot sauce.

2. Submerge the chicken pieces fully in the marinade. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or up to 24 hours for maximum flavor and tenderness.

2. Make the Spicy Mayo

1. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, hot sauce, paprika, Cajun seasoning, cayenne, and garlic powder.

2. Mix until smooth, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.

3. Bread the Chicken

1. Heat the frying oil in a heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C).

2. Prepare a baking sheet lined with paper towels or paper bags for draining.

3. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Cajun seasoning, cayenne, sea salt, and black pepper.

4. Add about ⅓ cup of the liquid marinade into the flour mixture. Use a fork to mix, creating small clumps for extra-crispy breading.

5. Remove a piece of chicken from the marinade, pat off excess liquid, and dredge in the flour mixture. Press gently to ensure the coating sticks well. Repeat with remaining pieces.

4. Fry the Chicken

1. Fry the breaded chicken in batches for 4–6 minutes, turning as needed, until golden and crisp.

2. Remove to the prepared baking sheet and let rest for 2–3 minutes.

3. Return chicken to the hot oil for 1–2 minutes to double-fry, ensuring a shatteringly crisp crust.

5. Toast the Buns

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.

2. Melt butter, then place the brioche buns cut-side down.

3. Toast until golden and slightly crisp.

6. Assemble the Sandwiches

1. Spread the spicy mayo generously on both halves of the toasted buns.

2. Add 4–5 pickle slices to the bottom bun.

3. Place a piece of crispy chicken on top, then crown with the top bun.

4. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips & Notes

• Crispier coating: Lightly press the breading onto the chicken before frying for extra texture.

• Heat adjustment: Reduce cayenne by half for a milder version, or add extra for more spice.

• Oil temperature: Use a thermometer — maintaining 350°F is key to even cooking and crispiness.

Make-Ahead & Storage

• Make-Ahead: Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance.

• Storage: Store cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 400°F oven for 8–10 minutes to bring back the crunch.

• Freezer-Friendly: Freeze fully cooked chicken pieces for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven until hot and crispy.

Share the image below to your Pinterest board if you like this Copycat Popeyes Chicken Sandwich recipe!

How to make Popeyes Chicken Sandwich

Step 1: Marinate the chicken breasts

First, prepare the chicken breasts by covering them with foil and flattening the thicker size using a meat mallet.

Add the buttermilk, eggs, cayenne, paprika, sea salt, pepper, and Louisiana hot sauce in a medium size bowl. Mix until it’s well combined. Marinate the chicken breasts for at least 4 hours, and for the best results, up to 24 hours.

Make sure it’s completely submerged in the marinade. 

Step 2: Prepare the spicy mayonnaise sauce.

In a separate, smaller dish, combine all of the ingredients for the spicy mayonnaise; mayo, paprika, hot sauce, Cajun, cayenne, and garlic powder. Place the covered bowl in the refrigerator and let the flavors combine for at least a few hours, preferably overnight. 

Step 3: Prepare the breading mix.

Put all the dry breading ingredients into a bowl of about medium size, and mix well; All-purpose flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Cajun seasoning, sea salt, and ground pepper.

Step 4: Fry the chicken

In a heavy-duty pot, heat the oil to 350 degrees.

Take the chicken marinade out of the fridge, and pour in a third of a cup’s worth of the marinade liquid into the flour mixture. Stir the flour mixture with a fork after adding the liquid marinade. Coat chicken with flour mixture, using as much marinade liquid as necessary to get a coating texture right. 

Place the chicken in the hot oil and cook it for four to six minutes. Remove the chicken and put it on a baking sheet that has been prepared.

After a short rest period, return the chicken to the frying oil and cook it for another minute or two.

Step 5: Prepare the buns and assemble them. 

Preheat the pan over medium heat. Then, when the butter has melted, lay the buns, cut side down, in the greased pan. Get the buns nicely browned and toasted until the butter bubbles and the edges crisp.

Add a generous amount of spicy mayo to the buns.

Place the bottom bun with four or five pickle slices on it. Top with the chicken breast.

Popeyes Chicken Sandwich Video Instructions

Let us know what you think of this Crispy, spicy, tangy copycat version of the famous Popeyes Chicken Sandwich Recipe!

If you’ve liked this recipe, check out this Chick-fil-a Chicken minis copycat recipe.

Hello, it’s me, Sarah, from Cooking Frog. Today I’m going to share How to Make Chicken Minis just like Chick-fil-A makes them. Is bigger better? That does not seem to be true anymore. I mean, just look at the hamburger industry. Sliders, popularly referred to as “mini burgers,” have become the hot new item. It is not like there is less food…only smaller sizes and larger portions.

The Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Mini Copycat is really simple to make. They take their bite-sized Chick-fil-A chicken nugget and make it into a tiny chicken yummy sandwich. These small treasures arrive in 3-count or 4-count and may also be arranged in 20 or 40-count platter-sized portions.

If you think that it is odd to have a chicken for breakfast, try these out before you dismiss them. Although I really do prefer Mini’s daily, I will still make an effort to make them at least twice at breakfast time.

They are simple like a great deal of Chick-fil-A menu items is, but they are quality breakfast fast food. These bite-sized beauties are really worth getting up early for.

Now I have decided to make them, and the results were excellent; everyone loved them.

Since I’ve been getting many requests for these chicken minis from Chick Fil A, I’ve also added the recipe for the rolls below. However, the rolls don’t make much difference, except for the honey butter spread; they are pretty standard rolls.

Also, you can check the most recent recipes for this original Chick-Fil-A Cool Wrap, Chick-Fil-A chicken salad, Chick-Fil-A sauce recipe, and the most amazing Chick-Fil-A mac and cheese!

Ingredients

For the Rolls

• 1 tablespoon yeast

• 1 cup warm water

• 3–4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 egg

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ cup sugar

• ¼ cup vegetable or canola oil

• 2 tablespoons melted butter

For the Honey Butter

• ½ cup softened butter

• ⅛ cup honey

For the Milk Wash

• 1 egg

• 1 cup milk

For the Chicken

• 16 oz chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

• 2 teaspoons salt

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon chili powder

• ¼ teaspoon paprika

• Dill pickle juice (for marinating)

• Oil, for frying

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Rolls

1. Activate the yeast: In a medium bowl, mix warm water, 1 tablespoon sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes, until foamy.

2. Mix the dough: Add the egg, salt, remaining sugar, and oil to the yeast mixture. Stir briefly.

3. Knead: In a stand mixer with a dough hook, add 3 cups of flour. Pour in the yeast mixture and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, adding up to 1 extra cup of flour as needed.

4. First rise: Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

5. Shape the rolls: Roll the dough out to ½-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut into 20–24 squares using a pizza cutter.

6. Second rise: Place the squares on a greased baking sheet, cover, and let rise until doubled again, about 30 minutes.

7. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Step 2: Make the Honey Butter

1. In a small bowl, mix softened butter with honey until smooth.

2. Set aside for brushing over the rolls after baking.

Step 3: Prepare the Chicken

1. Marinate: Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and cover with dill pickle juice. Let sit while you prep the coating (15–30 minutes).

2. Make the milk wash: In one bowl, whisk the egg and milk together.

3. Make the seasoned flour: In a separate bowl, mix flour, powdered sugar, salt, black pepper, chili powder, and paprika.

4. Bread the chicken: Remove the chicken from the brine, dip in the milk wash, then coat thoroughly in the seasoned flour. Shake off excess.

Step 4: Fry the Chicken

1. Heat oil in a deep skillet or heavy pot to 350°F (175°C).

2. Fry chicken in batches for 3–4 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.

3. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 5: Assemble the Chicken Minis

1. Warm the rolls: Slice baked rolls almost in half, place them in a baking dish, and brush generously with honey butter. Warm in a 225°F (110°C) oven for 3–5 minutes.

2. Build the minis: Add one crispy chicken piece to each roll.

3. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips & Notes

• Make it sweeter: For an extra Chick-fil-A vibe, drizzle a little extra honey butter right before serving.

• Brining: The pickle juice brine keeps the chicken juicy and adds signature flavor.

• Batch prep: Double the recipe and freeze extra rolls for quick meals later.

Make-Ahead & Storage

• Rolls: Bake and cool the rolls, then freeze for up to 1 month. Warm in the oven before serving.

• Chicken: Fry the chicken ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven for 8–10 minutes to keep it crispy.

Pin the image below If you like this Chick-fil-a Chicken Minis Copycat Recipe

FAQs about Chick-Fil-A Chicken Minis

What are Chick-Fil-A Chicken Minis?

Chicken Minis are one of the most popular items in Chick-Fil-A restaurants. These little chicken biscuits are everyone’s favorites. These delicious chicken nugget sandwiches are served with small yeast rolls and are the best breakfast food for both parents and their kids.

Do Chicken Minis Contain honey?

Chicken Mini nuggets themselves don’t contain honey; however, rolls do. These miniature yeast rolls are brushed just slightly with a butter spread that does contain honey. So in this homemade version of Chicken minis, it is entirely up to you if you want to use honey for the rolls. 

Are Chick-Fil-A Chicken Minis Healthy?

Chick-fil-A Chicken Minis have 360 calories and are a satisfying low-calorie option to Chick-fil-A Cookies.

These delicious chicken nuggets can be served as breakfast on soft yeast buns coated with honey and butter batter. They are half the fat of chicken biscuits.

Is it okay to use honey butter from the store?

Totally! Since the shop was completely out of the pre-made type when I decided to make these, I did something I wouldn’t typically do: I chose to create my own. It couldn’t have been simpler!

Can I make Chick-fil-A chicken minis in advance?

Of course! They offer a terrific breakfast choice to prepare ahead of time. For simple mornings, make a few batches early in the week. You can even freeze some and reheat them later.

What type of biscuits should I use for my chicken minis?

Use a yeast roll if you want a taste that is truly genuine. I’ve included the recipe for the original rolls below.  Also, you may get it from the market’s frozen area. 

Chicken Minis Video Recipe

Nutritional value for Chick-Fil-A chicken minis

360 Calories. 13g of Fat. 41g Carbs and 19g Protein

If you’ve liked this Chick-Fil-A recipe, be sure to try these Crispy Chicken Wings (Low-Carb) Keto Recipe