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Plate of Lemony Chicken Ricotta Meatballs served over Garlic Spinach Orzo

Lemony Chicken Ricotta Meatballs Over Garlic Spinach Orzo

These light and flavorful Lemony Chicken Ricotta Meatballs are simmered in a bright lemon sauce and served atop a bed of tender garlic spinach orzo, creating a satisfying and fresh meal.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatballs
  • 1 lb Ground chicken
  • 1/2 cup Ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 cup Breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 tsp Lemon zest
  • 2 tbsp Fresh parsley chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Sauce
  • 1.5 cups Chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup Lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
Garlic Spinach Orzo
  • 1 cup Orzo pasta
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 5 oz Fresh spinach
  • 2 cups Vegetable broth or water
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Large skillet
  • Large pot
  • Whisk
  • Spatula

Method
 

Meatball Preparation
  1. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, lemon zest, parsley, minced garlic, salt, and pepper; mix until just combined.
  2. Roll the mixture into small meatballs, then heat olive oil in a large skillet to brown them on all sides; remove and set aside.
Sauce and Simmer
  1. Add chicken broth and lemon juice to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the pan, and bring the mixture to a simmer.
  2. Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, cover, and cook for 10-15 minutes until they are cooked through.
Garlic Spinach Orzo
  1. While the meatballs simmer, cook the orzo pasta according to package directions in a large pot with broth or water, salt, and pepper until al dente.
  2. In a separate skillet, heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, then add spinach and cook until wilted.
  3. Drain the cooked orzo and stir in the sautéed garlic spinach mixture.
Assemble and Serve
  1. Serve the Lemony Chicken Ricotta Meatballs directly over the prepared garlic spinach orzo, adding extra sauce as desired.

Notes

For a richer sauce, stir in a tablespoon of butter at the end. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meatballs for a little heat.