Chicken Meatballs in Marinara

I've been working on perfecting my chicken meatballs for the last few months. My husband wanted them softer, juicier and with fennel flavor to give them almost a little sausage flavor.

This time... he said, "NAILED IT!"

By George I think I got it!


The Chicken Meatballs

1 lb ground Chicken breast

1 Garlic clove, minced
1 small Onion, minced
1 tsp ground Fennel
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 pinch Oregano
1 tsp Garlic powder
1 tsp Onion powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Pepper


1 loaf Ciabatta bread, (turned into little pieces in the food processor)
1/8 cup Cashew milk (or chicken stock or even water)
1 egg

Combine the garlic through the pepper in a large bowl.

In another bowl, drizzle in the cashew milk and toss. Let sit for about 15 minutes.

Mix in the egg.

Put the ground chicken in the bowl with the spices, add in the moistened breadcrumbs and mix with your hands to combine.

Preheat oven to 425.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with a little olive oil.

Form the meatballs to golf ball size, place on the lined tray and bake for 12 minutes on each side.

Makes 20 meatballs.


The Marinara Sauce

1 TBLSP Olive Oil
1 small Onion, chopped
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 small carrot, finely shredded
1 TBLSP Italian seasoning
1 tsp Garlic powder
1 tsp Onion powder
1 tsp Fennel powder
1 tsp dried Parsley
2 tsp salt (to taste)
1 tsp black pepper
1 TBLSP Tomato Paste
1 28 ounce can crushed Tomatoes
1 Cup Water
Basil leaves

Heat a sauce pot or brazier over medium low heat.

When hot, add the olive oil.

Add the onions, pepper, garlic, grated carrot and stir occasionally until the onion is softened.

Stir in the spices and tomato paste and cook for a couple more minutes.

Stir in the crushed tomatoes and water and raise the heat to a boil.

Lower the heat back down to a low simmer, add the chicken meatballs and let cook for at least an hour, preferably a few hours.

Add in a few torn basil leaves at the very end.

Personally I love to start my sauce in the early afternoon and let it cook until about 6:30ish... Or until I can't take it anymore. It makes the whole house smell FANTASTIC and HOMEY and COZY!