Pioneer Woman Chicken Parm Meatball Subs

Pioneer Woman chicken parm meatball subs take 40 minutes and ground chicken, marinara and fresh mozzarella to make a cheesy, garlic buttered hoagie sandwich. Try this easy chicken meatball sub for game day or weeknight dinner, since it's baked on sheet pans and fully family friendly for everyone.

Toast the buttered rolls on the lower rack before you add the meatballs, because that crisp layer keeps the marinara from soaking through. Skip it and the bread turns soft and soggy by the time the cheese melts.

Mixing parmesan and parsley right into the ground chicken gives the lean meatballs the flavor of a classic chicken parm cutlet. Baking the meatballs on a foil lined sheet pan also saves you from standing over a skillet and frying batches.

Pioneer Woman Chicken Parm Meatball Subs

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Course: DinnerCuisine: American, ItalianDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Calories

656

kcal

Small baked chicken meatballs sit in a toasted garlic butter roll under hot marinara and a blanket of melted mozzarella. The bread stays crisp at the edges and soft in the middle, so each bite is cheesy and saucy.

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
  

• 1 1/2 lb. ground chicken
  

• 1/2 c. seasoned breadcrumbs
  

• 1/3 c. plus 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  

• 1/4 c. chopped fresh parsley
  

• 1 tsp. kosher salt
  

• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
  

• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  

• 1 large egg
  

• 3 tbsp. salted butter, at room temperature
  

• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  

• 6 soft hoagie rolls
  

• 1 1/2 c. prepared marinara sauce
  

• 8 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
  

• Small basil leaves, for topping
  

• Potato chips, for serving
  

Directions

• Heat the oven: Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 425°F. Then line 2 baking sheets with foil and lightly coat one with cooking spray.
• Mix the meatballs: Combine 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken, 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs, 1/3 cup parmesan, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a large bowl. Add 1 large egg, then mix well with your hands until everything is evenly combined.
• Shape and bake: Form the meat into 24 small meatballs, about 2 tablespoons of meat each, and arrange them on the oiled baking sheet. Bake on the upper rack until cooked through, 15 to 18 minutes.
• Make garlic butter: While the meatballs bake, mash 3 tablespoons room temperature salted butter, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and the remaining 1/4 cup parmesan in a small bowl. Put 6 hoagie rolls on the second baking sheet, open them without fully separating the halves, and spread the insides with the butter.
• Toast the rolls: Bake the rolls on the lower rack until lightly toasted, 8 to 10 minutes. This gives the bread a crisp base for the saucy meatballs.
• Fill the subs: Divide the meatballs evenly between the rolls. Then top with 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce and 8 ounces sliced fresh mozzarella.
• Melt and serve: Bake the subs until the sauce is hot and the mozzarella is melted, 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with small basil leaves and serve with potato chips on the side.

Tools for this recipe

• Nordic Ware half sheet pan, Pyrex 3-piece glass mixing bowl set, OXO medium cookie scoop, Parmigiano Reggiano wedges, aged 24 months. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground chicken?

Ground turkey works as a straight swap, since it has a similar lean texture and mild flavor. Bake the meatballs until they're cooked through, and keep the seasonings the same.

How long do leftover meatball subs keep?

Store the meatballs and rolls separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Assembled subs get soggy, so reheat the meatballs with sauce and build the sandwiches fresh.

Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can shape the meatballs and keep them covered in the fridge for a day before baking. You can also bake them early and reheat them in the marinara, which makes assembly quick.

Can I cook these in an air fryer?

An air fryer can cook the meatballs in a single layer, though you'll need to work in batches for 24. Check that they're cooked through before they go into the rolls, since air fryers vary in power.

What's the most common mistake with these subs?

Skipping the toasting step is the biggest one, because untoasted rolls soak up the marinara and fall apart. Toast the buttered rolls first so they hold up under the sauce and cheese.