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+ servings

Chicken Meatballs and Orzo

A delicious and hearty dish featuring tender chicken meatballs served over a bed of fluffy orzo pasta, perfect for a family dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs preferably Italian seasoned
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
For the Orzo
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 4 cups chicken broth or water
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup spinach fresh, chopped
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 tsp lemon juice freshly squeezed

Method
 

Prepare the Meatballs
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix until well combined.
  3. Form the mixture into meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Cook the Orzo
  1. In a pot, bring chicken broth to a boil. Add the orzo and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add spinach and cherry tomatoes, sautéing until spinach is wilted.
  3. Drain the orzo and add it to the skillet. Stir in lemon juice and mix well.
Serve
  1. Plate the orzo and top with the baked chicken meatballs. Garnish with additional parsley if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 30gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1500IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Feel free to add your favorite vegetables to the orzo for extra nutrition.

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