Slow Cooker Chicken Meatballs Recipe
The weather is getting chilly, fall is here and winter is on the way which makes it a perfect time to pull out the crockpot/slow cooker. So how about this tasty slow cooker chicken meatballs recipe?
Make Slow Cooker Chicken Meatballs Recipe as a wonderful healthy and versatile option for your meal plan. Serve alone or with pasta or you can make a meatball sandwich!
Psst, there’s also a fabulous giveaway happening, check it out after the recipe!
Slow Cooker Chicken Meatballs Recipe
I don’t know about you but we love meatballs and they’re more versatile than you might think. You can easily have this become a pasta bake type of meal by adding pasta. We give you a few meal options for this tasty chicken meatballs recipe. 
Slow Cooker Meatball Recipe Tips & Options
We’ve already mentioned adding pasta (don’t worry we give the details below and in the recipe) but how about a meatball sandwich. I know some people love meatball sandwiches and these chicken meatballs are moist and tasty. Yes, really they are not dry at all I promise. 
- You can use regular breadcrumbs or Italian seasoned ones instead of Panko if you prefer.
- If you want the base to be less tomato sauce like you can substitute the marinara for chicken broth
- We prefer to cook the pasta in water instead of in the slow cooker. However, if you prefer you can cook the pasta (if adding) in the slow cooker, if you wish to do that add them in alternating layers with the meatballs and sauce.
- Whether you add the pasta or not we personally like the ricotta topping but it is optional
These meatballs make for a great meatball sandwich. If you want to do sandwiches you of course don’t have to add the pasta, it’s completely optional.
Hmmm, doesn’t this slow cooker chicken meatball recipe in a sandwich look tasty? It’s so filling so it’s not always for me but my hubby loves them. Just think of all the time you can save with this chicken meatball recipe, especially on a weeknight. You’re pretty much-throwing everything in the crockpot and walking away for hours. You can make it into different meals, another reason I love it for the tastiness and versatility.
Why we only buy chicken with the raised by a Canadian Chicken Farmer logo
I’m sure you’ve seen me say it before but it bears repeating, my family and I only buy chicken with the raised by a Canadian Chicken Farmer logo (see below). Why?
Canadian chicken is a healthy choice is that it’s grain-fed, free of added hormones and steroids, and raised right here in Canada according to nationally-set, high food safety and animal care standards.
- There is a mandatory, robust, third- party-audited Animal Care Program that is administered across all Canadian chicken farms.
- Canadian chicken farmers adhere to a strict mandatory On-Farm Food Safety Program.
There are many more reasons but those are just a few them!
Let’s get on to this chicken meatballs recipe shall we and then we can tell you about the awesome giveaway!
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Slow Cooker Chicken Meatballs Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 7 hours
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: dinner
- Method: slow cooker
Description
Make this Slow Cooker Chicken Meatballs Recipe as a wonderful healthy and versatile option for your meal plan. Serve alone, with pasta or even as a meatball sandwich.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 2lbs (907g) of ground chicken
- 2 cloves of garlic crushed
- Fresh Italian parsley, chopped (you can use regular parsley)
- Pinch of salt
- Ground Pepper
- 1/2 cup (60g) of Panko breadcrumbs (you can also use regular or Italian seasoned breadcrumbs)
- 2 eggs
Sauce
- 2 cups (475ml) of crushed tomatoes
- 3 tbsp of tomato paste
- 1/2 cup (120ml) of marinara sauce (add more if you want it to be more “saucy”)*
- 2 tbsp of Italian Herb Mix (I did my own with Basil, Oregano & Rosemary)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Toppings
- 1/3 cup (35g) grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese (to top the meatballs and sauce at the end)
- 1 tbsp Italian Herb Mix
**Optional Add Pasta
- 270g (9.5oz) of ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- Penne pasta
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients for the sauce into the slow cooker and stir to combine.
- In a bowl combine ground chicken, Italian herb mix, garlic, salt, pepper, Italian parsley, egg and Panko breadcrumbs, mix to combine and then form into meatballs (amount will depend on the size you make them). **if you prefer you can cook the pasta (if adding) in the slow cooker, if you wish to do that add them in alternating layers with the meatballs and sauce at this step.
- Place the meatballs into the sauce
- Set slow cooker on low for 6 hours
- **If adding pasta do this step, otherwise go to step 7.** when the meatballs are close to being cooked, boil your pasta. I don’t “cooking” pasta in the slow cooker but you can try if you prefer.
- Stir the cooked pasta in with the meatballs and sauce.
- *Optional* Mix the ricotta with the egg and spoon this on to the top of the meatballs and sauce in the crockpot.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella and grated parmesan on top and season to taste with Italian herb mix, salt & pepper.
- Set the slow cooker to high and cook until the cheese is melted the grill/broil until cheese is melted and golden on top.
- Serve topped with chopped fresh Italian parsley.
Notes
You can use regular breadcrumbs or Italian seasoned ones instead of Panko if you prefer.
* If you want the base to be less tomato sauce like you can substitute the marinara for chicken broth
** We prefer to cook the pasta in water instead of in the slow cooker. However, if you prefer you can cook the pasta (if adding) in the slow cooker, if you wish to do that add them in alternating layers with the meatballs and sauce.
*** Whether you add the pasta or not we personally like the ricotta topping but it is optional
These meatballs make for a great meatball sandwich. If you want to do sandwiches you of course don’t have to add the pasta, it’s completely optional.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 47g
Keywords: slow cooker chicken meatballs recipe, chicken meatballs, crockpot, meatball sandwich
What do you think? It may look complicated at first but I promise this chicken meatballs recipe is not and it can give you several meals! Now I have to admit, I made mine extra cheesy. The recipe has less cheese than what my photo above shows as I went a bit crazy on the mozzarella, you’re free to add more but I put the amounts in the recipe that gives it a nice covering of cheese, not quite as thick as mine above. Feel free to add more though!
I didn’t have any bread with my chicken meatballs as I had it with the pasta and it was very filling. The meatballs are filling by themselves so you may want to make the portions smaller to start with, you can always go back for seconds.
Don’t forget to PIN this recipe for later!
Do you have to brown meatballs before putting in slow cooker?
You don’t have to brown the meatballs. As the recipe says just add everything to the slow cooker, easy peasy. So wonderful for a busy weeknight.
Can I put uncooked past in slow cooker?
As mentioned, yes you can we just prefer the texture when they’ve been cooked separately but you can do it either way. The advantage is less pots to clean after!
Can I freeze the meatballs?
Yes you can but I recommend not putting any cheese on top if you plan to freeze them in an airtight container.
Now let’s get on to that exciting contest we mentioned!
It’s a #CrocktoberChicken/ #PouletCrocktober Social Giveaway total prize/s value of $500! CANADA ONLY.
Prize List
- Crock-Pot® 7-Quart Oval Cast Iron Dutch Oven in Grey
- FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System
- Instant Pot 9-in-1 Duo Plus 6 qt.
ONE winner – Must be a CANADIAN resident 18+ years of age. Enter on the widget below and GOOD LUCK!
Make sure to follow Chicken Farmers of Canada:
Facebook: Canadian Chicken, Twitter: @ChickenFarmers, Instagram: @ChickenDotCA; Pinterest:ChickenDotCA.
Leaving you with one last recipe photo. If you try the recipe let us know how you liked it!
Disclosure: I am participating in the Chicken Farmers of Canada campaign managed by SJ Consulting. I received compensation in exchange for my participation in this campaign. The opinions on this blog are my own.
Susan Christy says
Always looking for a good chicken recipe and it’s even better that it’s made in a slow cooker!
★★★★★
Vickie says
I missed the giveaway. LOL.
In any event these chicken meatballs sound great and pretty easy to make.
I might make these for our NYE party this year.
Thanks
James Robert says
Thanks for sharing this recipe, sounds so good!
monique s says
I bet in a slow cooker the meatballs are so tender. And as you have shown so many ways to use the meatballs from pasta to sandwiches and more.
Christy Caldwell says
Love a good slow cooker recipe. My boys love meatballs and anything with parm cheese has my vote!
★★★★★
Antoinette M says
Delicious! I love using my slow cooker and this recipe is great!
AuntySuzany says
Chicken meatball sandwiches looks good but I would like to try a cream sauce and herb stuffing.
kimrk56 says
I have never made chicken meatballs. This recipe looks really good and worth trying!
April v Monty says
My God these look delicious and super easy!!
★★★★★
Peggy Nunn says
I want to try these. I would rather eat chicken than beef.
Amy D says
I’m always looking for ground chicken recipes, and this looks great. I love how you used the meatballs for both subs and pasta. I use my slow cooker several times a week during the winter. It really helps on school nights too.
Peggy Nunn says
This sounds great meal with little work. I love slow cooker meals.
nidhi c says
Oh WOW! This recipe looks super delicious. I cam’t wait to try this chicken meatballs.
★★★★★
Peggy Nunn says
I want to try this version. I would rather eat ground chicken than beef. It just seems healthier too. Thank you for the recipe.
Leah Shumack says
These look really tasty! I would love to give them a try!
Polly Hall says
I’ve never had chicken meat balls they sound really good and easy.
Leela says
That looks so delicious! I can’t wait to make it.
★★★★★
Francine Anchondo says
My husband would love to try this recipe.
kathy pease says
This looks so yummy and I will have to try out the recipe 🙂
Cynthia C says
This is a nice recipe for all of us who try not to eat a lot of red meat. Looks yummy!
Michelle S says
I love this idea for chicken meatball subs! It would be a great family meal for us.
Dorothy Boucher says
This recipe looks very tasty! I love that you can just add everything in the pot . I also like that
you can use this for different meal planning.
@tisonlyme143
Diana McDonald says
Slow cooker is the way to go.
BETHANY KREITER says
I just made a beef stroganoff recipe in the slow cooker. This would be a great one to try next! Thanks!
DEBIJOT says
I love a good recipe for the slow cooker.
Victoria Barbour says
Omg this looks amazing. I’m going to try it this week.
Christy Maurer says
Being able to cook things in the slow cooker is so convenient! It is really such a time saver for busy days. This sounds like it would be a good one to make this fall.
Christina Gould says
I’ve never seen this type of dish done in a slow cooker. I’d love to try it. It looks delicious. Thanks for sharing!
Linda Manns Linneman says
This recipe sounds so good. I love making slow cooker recipes during the week when I work. My family would love this. Thank you so much for sharing
Rochelle Haynes says
Looking good ad tasty love meatball never had chicken
★★★★★
Laurie Nykaza says
My favourite slow cooker recipe is sweet and sour chicken i made it gf so my son can eat the kids love it
★★★★★
Mia E. says
My favorite recipe is slow cooker 8 ingredient chicken chili.
Kelly Kimmell says
This recipe sounds amazing, thanks for sharing with us.
Carol M says
My favourite slow cooker recipe is tortilla soup.
Jen L says
I have a great recipe for Pickle Barrell Chicken that uses the slow cooker. deee-licious!
Heather Kaufman says
I like chicken with salsa, for fajitas.
Nicole Bonomo says
My favorite crock pot chicken recipe, is coq au vin! So delicious, and so easy to make!
Ron Friesen says
Love making chicken stew in the slow cooker
Julie Barrett says
I love to make Swedish meatballs or roast beef in my crock pot. I’ve heard you can make lasagna in a crock pot or one pot so I’d love to try that too. Thanks so much for the chance to win!
Nicole Jubleew says
Our favourite is the Slow Cooker Chicken Al Pastor Tacos.
MaryG says
My favourite is the Hot Spinach & Chicken Dip.
Cherie Whisenhunt says
I do not have a favorite so am looking for receipes
Donna S says
My fave is chicken stew.
Kimmy Ng says
Great recipes!!!
myrna johnson says
Tried your Chicken Meatballs recipe – was great.
Powered by Mom says
Great to hear, thanks for sharing and so glad you liked it 🙂
Ivy Pluchinsky says
I love the Hot Spinach & Chicken Dip recipe!
Lisa O. says
chicken tacos
3 chicken boneless/skinless breasts frozen
1/4 cup taco seasoning
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup olive oil
small / medium jar any salsa
layer –
taco seasoning, chicken breasts, salsa, water, oil – slow cook for 6 hours (depending on your cooker – mine cooks fast) remove chicken, shred then place back in/stir and cook for another 30 minutes
recipe credit goes to – country singer/song writer Sara Darling
Maritess S says
My favourite is the Chicken Vegetable Lasagna.
Kal says
chicken and dumplings.
Le. P says
Hot Spinach & Chicken Dip (Slow Cooker).
Debbie P says
These slow cooker chicken meatballs look and sounds amazing. I can’t wait to make them!
★★★★★
Kai says
Crockpot chicken is always welcome.
Kath P says
Hot Spinach & Chicken Dip (Slow Cooker)
Tracy Hall says
My favourite slow cooker chicken recipe is a ground chicken chilli! Amazing flavour and so healthy!
Dawn Logterman says
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Linda Stewart says
Mexican Cream Cheese Chicken
TERESA DAWSON says
Chicken Meatballs
★★★★★
Kcf says
Savoury Chicken Crostata
Kari P says
Caramelized Onion, Tomato & Chicken Pie
Toby says
Citrus Ginger Chicken! ????
★★★★★
l p says
Romani Chicken Stew. thanks