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Home » Blog » how to make flavorful + moist chicken with zucchini meatballs in the air fryer

how to make flavorful + moist chicken with zucchini meatballs in the air fryer

30-minute meals

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They may be small in size, but these chicken with zucchini meatballs are PACKED with loads of flavor and perfect for meal prep!

You all know I love a good make-ahead meal – esp for the days when I have to work in the office versus at home. A few weeks ago I made a batch of  Turkey Burgers with Zucchini  from Skinnytaste, modified. The only problem was that I didn’t bring a knife, and after eating lunch with a coworker, I didn’t know how to graciously eat a burger patty without looking like a crazy woman. I actually find myself in silly situations like that quite often; forgetting a prominent utensil, napkin, or the like. I am one heck of a meal-planner but in the morning, I just forget the other necessities. Mornings, aren’t really my fave – which is why I love meal prep.

So I decided to make meatballs! I actually prefer ground chicken over beef for meatballs at lunch. They’re lighter in taste, and calories. I omit breadcrumbs; a common ingredient used for binding in these recipes. I have learned that egg works just as well at not only holding my balls (I couldn’t help it. I’m sorry), but keeping the chicken moist, which is super important when you’re cooking with a lean meat. If you have kiddos going back to school, this recipe is perfect for them, as well! I like to think this recipe is perfect for “kids” of all ages, really. It’s a good way to also hide a bit of veggie without truly detecting it, if you have picky eaters at home.

These Whole 30 Chicken and Zucchini Meatballs can be made ahead of time; they’re paleo and low-carb, and light in calories!  I think they may be the perfect food, really. You can add these meatballs to Feel free to pasta, zoodz, wraps, or simply by themselves! Currently, I gave them a comforting side of mashed cauliflower and pistachio pesto, and they did not disappoint.

A note when making a batch of these Whole 30 Chicken and Zucchini Meatballs: because ground chicken is so lean and delicate, the heat from your hands could make it difficult to form into balls you may need to pop your mixing bowl into the freezer for 10-ish minutes half-way through forming into balls. It just depends.

other meatball recipes:

chicken zucchini meatballs

chicken and zucchini meatballs

They may be small in size, but these chicken with zucchini meatballs are PACKED with loads of flavor and perfect for meal prep!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 20
Calories: 34kcal
Author: Nichole Crews

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1 medium-sized zucchini, grated
  • 2 teaspoons salt, divided
  • 1 egg, whisked
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, minced fine
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon oregano

Instructions

air fryer method:

  • Preheat your air fryer to 390℉. Spray air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Grate the zucchini: Set a box grater over a paper towel and grate zucchini into fine pieces. Toss with 1 TSP salt and roll the towel up; let sit for 10-15 minutes in a bowl, and then squeeze as much of the excess liquid from the zucchini as possible. Transfer the grated zucchini to a large mixing bowl.
  • To the same bowl add the remaining ingredients: ground chicken, 1 TSP salt, whisked egg, minced garlic, red onion, pepper and oregano. Gently combine mixture using your hands.
  • Form mixture into approx 1-inch balls. Arrange meatballs in air fryer basket and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Cook meatballs for 10 minutes, until browned, flipping halfway. Or you can use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is 165F.

oven method:

  • Preheat oven to 400℉. Line baking sheet with parchment paper (or foil, and non-stick spray.
  • Grate the zucchini: Set a box grater over a paper towel and grate zucchini into fine pieces. Toss with 1 TSP salt and roll the towel up; let sit for 10-15 minutes in a bowl, and then squeeze as much of the excess liquid from the zucchini as possible. Transfer the grated zucchini to a large mixing bowl.
  • To the same bowl add the remaining ingredients and gently combine mixture using your hands.
  • Form mixture into approx 1-inch balls. Arrange meatballs in air fryer basket and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Bake 20 minutes, until browned, flipping halfway. Or you can use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is 165F.

Notes

makes 20-25 meatballs. nutrition info is based on 20 meatballs/one meatball is 34 calories

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 34kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.5g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Fiber: 0.2g
Did you make this recipe?We want to see! Tag @casadecrews on instagram or use the hashtag #casadecrewseats so we can find you!

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Comments

  5. Meg says

    yum these look delish!! nothing wrong with quick and easy meal, start now and when kids come along you will have a repetoire of meals to pick from

    Reply

  9. Katie Elizabeth says

    This looks absolutely amazing! The meatballs pretty much have me drooling over here. And thank you for the round up of so many recipes!! Off to sort through them!

    Reply

      • David @ CookingChat says

        Nice! I was curious in part b/c we just recently got a new camera in part hoping to upgrade our blog photos and potentially get them accepted at sites like foodgawker.

        Will try the recipe at some point w/o the egg, as my son is allergic. Will let you know how it comes out.

        Reply

  13. Amee says

    Oh, you’re a woman after my own heart!! I’m in love with this recipe! I’m pretty obsessed with my spiralizer and make zoodles all the time…best gadget ever!! I can’t wait to try this dish. Yummo!

    Reply

  15. Xiomeeks says

    This look so yummy. I love making turkey burgers and sneaking some veggies in them, although my family doesn’t like them as much as I do.

    Reply

  20. Soni says

    Ooh love Zoodles and your meatballs look so cute!!Would love to try this!!Great minds think alike don’t they 😉

    Reply

  28. Lisa says

    I’m definitely going to make these! I often make Ottolenghi’s turkey zucchini meatballs but I never thought to serve them over “zoodles.” I love this idea! Looks so delicious and healthy.

    Reply

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