The Hailey Bieber Chicken Meatballs Everyone Is Making Have a Topping Most People Swear They Do Not Like

This fall, one simple weeknight dinner kept popping up in feeds, food blogs and family group chats: Hailey Bieber chicken meatballs. The model and Rhode founder shared the meatballs she makes at home on her Instagram Stories, and home cooks quickly started making their own batches. The best part is not the celebrity name. It is one topping that most people say they do not even like, and it is the reason these meatballs taste so creamy and comforting..

According to PureWow, which tested the recipe in August, Hailey posted a rough list of ingredients rather than exact amounts. Her one big instruction was to cook the meatballs until crispy on the outside, then cover them with tomato sauce. That loose, cook-by-feel style is part of the charm. It feels like a recipe a friend texts you, not one from a fancy cookbook.

So we took the ingredient list for Hailey Bieber chicken meatballs, tested the amounts and turned it into one clear recipe you can make tonight. It takes about 40 minutes, it uses one pan, and it feeds four hungry people.

What Goes in Hailey Bieber Chicken Meatballs

The ingredient list is short and easy to find at any grocery store. As reported by PureWow and HOLA! USA, the meatball mix uses ground chicken, ricotta, an egg, gluten-free Italian breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper. The meatballs are browned, then simmered in tomato sauce.

Then comes the twist. Each bowl gets a spoonful of cottage cheese and a shower of grated Parmesan on top. Yes, cottage cheese. If that makes you wrinkle your nose, you are not alone, and that is exactly why the dish got so much attention. For more ways to use it, see our cottage cheese recipes that will make you fall in love with it again.

Why the Cottage Cheese Topping Works

Cottage cheese is mild, cool and a little salty. When it hits hot tomato sauce, the curds soften and melt into creamy little pockets, a lot like the ricotta in a good lasagna. It cuts the acid of the sauce and makes every bite feel richer without heavy cream.

It also adds protein. Half a cup of cottage cheese has about 12 grams of protein, so a spoonful on top makes an already lean chicken dinner a little more filling. Ricotta inside Hailey Bieber chicken meatballs does a different job: it keeps the lean ground chicken moist and tender, so the meatballs do not turn dry or rubbery. If you love the creamy idea, you can even swap the ricotta for cottage cheese blended until smooth.

Our Family Recipe, Step by Step

Makes about 20 meatballs, enough for 4 servings. Total time: about 40 minutes.

You will need:

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs (gluten-free if you like)
• 1/4 cup whole milk ricotta
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup cottage cheese, for topping
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus fresh basil and red pepper flakes if you like

How to make it:

1. In a large bowl, mix the ricotta, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper until smooth.
2. Add the ground chicken and breadcrumbs. Mix gently with your hands just until combined. Overmixing makes meatballs tough.
3. With damp hands, roll the mix into balls about 1 and a half inches wide. Chill them for 10 minutes if they feel soft.
4. Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, turning them, for 6 to 8 minutes until golden and crispy outside.
5. Pour in the marinara, nestle the meatballs back in, cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, until a thermometer in the center reads 165F.
6. Spoon into bowls, add a dollop of cottage cheese, a sprinkle of Parmesan, and fresh basil or chili flakes.

Tips for Picky Eaters and Busy Nights

Kids who say they hate cottage cheese can still enjoy Hailey Bieber chicken meatballs. They can skip the topping and get extra Parmesan instead. Once they see grown-ups loving it, many end up trying a bite. Small, bite-size meatballs also win over little eaters, and they cook a few minutes faster.

To make dinner ahead, roll the meatballs in the morning and keep them covered in the fridge. You can also brown them, cool them and freeze them on a tray, then move them to a freezer bag. On a busy night, drop the frozen meatballs straight into simmering sauce and cook about 25 minutes, until they reach 165F in the center.

How to Serve Hailey Bieber Chicken Meatballs

Hailey kept it simple, but these meatballs go with almost anything. Serve them over spaghetti or zucchini noodles, spoon them over rice, or pile them into toasted sub rolls with melted mozzarella for meatball subs. A crisp green salad and some garlic bread make it a full family dinner. Want more meatball ideas for the week? Our meatball recipes the whole family will ask for have plenty.

Quick Questions, Answered

Can I bake Hailey Bieber chicken meatballs instead of frying them? Yes. Bake on a lined sheet pan at 400F for 15 to 18 minutes until browned, then simmer in the warm sauce for 5 minutes.

Can I use an air fryer? Yes. Air fry at 380F for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket once, then add them to hot sauce.

Can I use ground turkey? Absolutely. Ground turkey works the same way. Pick one that is not extra lean so the meatballs stay juicy.

Do I have to use cottage cheese? No, but try it once before you decide. A small spoonful is all it takes. So tell us honestly: would you top your meatballs with cottage cheese, or are you staying team Parmesan only?