Description
Succulent rosemary chicken meatballs dance atop a bed of hearty tomato orzo, creating a Mediterranean-inspired culinary delight. Herbal notes and rich flavors blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each comforting bite of this rustic Italian-style dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Complementary Ingredients:
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, eggs, breadcrumbs, chopped rosemary, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Form the chicken mixture into uniform meatballs, approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes, ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 165°F and develop a golden-brown exterior.
- While meatballs are cooking, heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add orzo to the pan and toast lightly for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
- Pour in diced tomatoes and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Simmer the orzo mixture for 8-10 minutes until pasta is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Remove meatballs from the oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes.
- Plate the orzo and top with the rosemary chicken meatballs.
- Garnish with grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Substitute ground chicken with turkey or plant-based alternatives for dietary flexibility.
- Toast orzo carefully to enhance nutty flavor and prevent burning by constantly stirring and watching heat level.
- Ensure meatballs reach exact internal temperature of 165°F using meat thermometer to guarantee food safety and prevent dryness.
- Add extra herbs like thyme or oregano to meatball mixture for deeper flavor complexity and aromatic profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg