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Baked Chicken Meatballs with Orzo

baked chicken meatballs with orzo Serving
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Juicy baked chicken meatballs paired with creamy mushroom tomato orzo for a complete, comforting dinner.

 

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 oz fresh bread, diced
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 1/2 lbs ground chicken thighs
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, drained
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • Olive oil, for drizzling
  • For the Mushroom Tomato Orzo:
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp oil from the sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 8 oz sliced mushrooms
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth + 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 cup orzo
  • 2 1/4 cups chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 oz fresh spinach
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Kosher salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
  2. Soak diced bread in warm water for 5 minutes.
  3. Sauté shallot and garlic in butter, then add garlic powder and red pepper flakes.
  4. Combine soaked bread, chicken, parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, salt, and cooked aromatics.
  5. Shape into 16 meatballs and place on baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and cooked through.
  7. For orzo, melt butter with sun-dried tomato oil in a skillet.
  8. Crisp rosemary sprig briefly, then remove.
  9. Cook shallot, garlic, and mushrooms until browned.
  10. Add tomato paste, red pepper flakes, broth with lemon juice, and orzo.
  11. Pour in remaining broth and simmer 8 minutes, stirring frequently.
  12. Stir in cream, spinach, and parmesan until creamy.
  13. Serve orzo topped with meatballs and crumbled rosemary.

Notes

Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and preparation methods.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken meatballs, baked meatballs, orzo pasta, mushroom orzo, comfort food, dinner recipe

Find it online: https://www.joyliciousrecipes.com/baked-chicken-meatballs-with-orzo/