These Costco Chicken Meatballs are a simple, protein-packed option for any meal. Made with ground chicken, parmesan, fresh basil, and garlic, they have a tender texture and a savory, cheesy flavor. Baked instead of fried, they’re an easy and healthier take on a classic recipe. Whether served on their own, dipped in marinara, or added to salads and wraps, these homemade chicken meatballs are as versatile as they are delicious.
A perfect make-ahead meal or weeknight dinner staple, these meatballs come together with minimal effort and deliver maximum flavor. Plus, they’re easy to customize with different herbs, cheeses, or seasonings to match your preferences.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love These Costco Chicken Meatballs
- Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- How to Make Costco Chicken Meatballs
- More Recipes You Will Love
- How to Store Costco Chicken Meatballs
- What to Serve with these Chicken Meatballs Costco Copycat Recipe
- Top Tip
- Frequently Asked Questions About Costco Chicken Meatballs
- More Recipes You Will Love
- Costco Chicken Meatballs Recipe
We love making different meatball recipes, they are so universal! These were inspired by the Amylu chicken meatballs from Costco; they are a basil and parmesan flavor. If you enjoy meatball recipes, here are some more you will love: Carnivore Meatballs, Cooked Perfect Italian Style Meatballs, Meatball Parmigiana, Meatball Parm Sub, Meatballs and Mashed Potatoes, Sweet and Sour Meatballs, and Meatball Sliders.
Why You Will Love These Costco Chicken Meatballs
- Simple and Delicious: Made with everyday ingredients and packed with savory flavors.
- Lighter Option: A leaner meat than ground beef or pork and naturally has less fat.
- Versatile: Enjoy them on their own, in wraps, over pasta, or in a salad.
- Make-Ahead: Prep a batch and store for easy meals throughout the week.
- Baked, Not Fried: A healthier alternative to traditional pan-fried meatballs.
- Family-Friendly: A great option for kids and adults.
Ingredients
A short trip to the grocery store to grab all you need to make these basil & parmesan chicken meatballs.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Ground Chicken: A lean meat with mild flavor that pairs well with many mix-ins.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds a cheesy, salty profile.
- Breadcrumbs: Helps to hold the meatball's shape and gives them a bit more substance.
- Eggs: Acts as a binder to keep the meatballs together.
- Whole Milk: Adds moisture.
- Fresh Basil: Enhances the flavors and balances the parmesan cheese, while also creating a fresh profile.
- Fresh Garlic: To add depth and complements the lean chicken.
- Sea Salt and Ground Pepper: To provide and enhance the flavors.
For this recipe, you'll want to have on hand a large baking sheet, mixing bowl, measuring cups and spoons, and a 2 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop.
Substitutions and Variations
Love this recipe but want to mix it up? Here are some ideas for you make your own version of these chicken meatballs Costco copycat.
- Ground Chicken: Swap for ground turkey, pork or beef to mix up the flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese: Try pecorino Romano or nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.
- Breadcrumbs: Use panko for extra crunch or almond flour for a low-carb alternative.
- Gluten-Free: Sub for gluten free breadcrumbs or use a gluten free potato chip instead of breadcrumbs.
- Fresh Basil: Substitute with parsley, oregano, or dried basil if needed.
- Whole Milk: Replace with a plant-based milk alternative, half-and-half, or a chicken broth.
How to Make Costco Chicken Meatballs
Check out how easy it is to make these Costco chicken meatballs.
Preheat oven to 400F and lightly spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray.
Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix until fully incorporated, lightly squishing the meat mixture together to infuse the flavors.
Using a 2 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop, roll into uniform meatballs and place on prepared sheet.
Bake for 15 minutes, or until cooked through and reaching an internal temperature of 165F.
Cool slightly and serve warm.
Hint: To make uniform meatballs, that cook evenly, use a cookie scoop to portion them out. Apply light pressure when rolling to a ball.
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How to Store Costco Chicken Meatballs
This recipe is a great recipe to make couple batches and store for later.
- Refrigerator: Once cooled, place in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: For your meatballs, whether they are cooked or uncooked, you can line them on a baking sheet and pop them in the freezer. Once frozen (about 2-4 hours), place them into a freezer-safe bag and store up to 6 months. You can vacuum-seal them as well. I love this FoodSaver, that I got on Amazon.
- Reheating: Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave or stovetop in a sauce until warmed through; or bake according to the recipe card.
- Make Ahead: To make your meatballs ahead, follow steps 1 and 2 and then pop them in the fridge or freezer until you are ready to bake. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, until needed.
What to Serve with these Chicken Meatballs Costco Copycat Recipe
- Marinara Sauce: A classic pairing for dipping or tossing the meatballs in sauce.
- Garlic Bread: Serve with a homemade garlic bread for a satisfying meal.
- Pasta: Pair with spaghetti or zucchini noodles for a complete dish.
- Vegetables: Serve alongside some vegetables for a more rounded meal like our sautéed green beans, Brussels sprouts, roasted carrots or a creamy, mashed potato.
- Wraps or Sandwiches: Add these chicken meatballs to a pita or sub bun with your favorite mix-ins, and a drizzle of dressing.
Top Tip
To ensure you make the best meatballs, here are some of our helpful tips.
- Don’t Overmix: Mixing just until combined keeps the meatballs tender. Apply pressure when mixing the meat mixture through your hands to blend all the ingredients together.
- Chill the Mixture: Letting the mixture rest in the fridge for 10-15 minutes can help make shaping easier.
- Check Internal Temp: Meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 165°F for doneness.
- Double the Batch: These freeze well, so make extras for quick meals later.
Frequently Asked Questions About Costco Chicken Meatballs
Do you have questions about Costco chicken meatballs?
Yes! You can prepare the meatball mixture a day ahead and store it in the fridge before baking. You can also freeze cooked meatballs and reheat when needed.
Yes, you can pan-fry them in a little olive oil over medium heat, turning occasionally until fully cooked.
Yes! Swap the breadcrumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour.
Try adding a teaspoon of Italian seasoning, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or even some finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes for extra depth.
More Recipes You Will Love
Check out some more of our recipes you will want to try!
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Costco Chicken Meatballs Recipe
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- 2 ½ Tablespoon Cookie Scoop
Ingredients
- 2 lb ground chicken
- 1 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 cups breadcrumbs plain
- 2 eggs large
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 6 tablespoon fresh basil
- 2 tablespoon garlic minced
- 2 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F and lightly spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray.
- Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix until fully incorporated, lightly squishing the meat mixture together to infuse the flavors.
- Using a 2 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop, roll into uniform meatballs and place on prepared sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until cooked through and reaching an internal temperature of 165F.
- Cool slightly and serve warm.
Notes
- To make uniform meatballs, that cook evenly, use a cookie scoop to portion them out. Apply light pressure when rolling to a ball.
- Mixing just until combined keeps the meatballs tender. Apply pressure when mixing the meat mixture through your hands to blend all the ingredients together.
- Letting the mixture rest in the fridge for 10-15 minutes can help make shaping easier.
- Meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 165°F for doneness.
- These are perfect to make in bulk as they freeze well, so make extras for quick meals later.
Nutrition
We would be so grateful for you to leave us a rating and review on any recipes you try. If you make any alterations, let us know how they turned out.
Madhu says
These sound so good! Love how tender and cheesy they are, plus baking them makes them so much healthier!
Eva Filer says
Thank you. We really enjoy these ones, and you are right - baking makes them healthier!