Description
Hearty one pan chicken meatballs with orzo deliver Mediterranean comfort on a single skillet. Savory herbs, tomatoes, and creamy orzo blend perfectly for you to enjoy a simple, satisfying meal that celebrates rustic Italian-inspired cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lbs (454 g) ground chicken
- 1 egg
- 1 cup (55 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup milk
- ⅔ cup cream (heavy cream or light cream)
- ½ cup (35 g) dry breadcrumbs
- 2 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups (278 g) dry orzo pasta
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Mixture Preparation: Combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, milk, egg, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic, onion powder, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Fold ingredients gently until well-distributed, then let rest to allow breadcrumbs to absorb moisture and improve texture.
- Meatball Formation and Searing: Roll chicken mixture into compact spheres roughly 1-1¼ inches wide. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with oil, then sear meatballs until golden and caramelized, rotating to ensure even browning. Transfer to a warm plate.
- Flavor Foundation: In the same skillet, toast minced garlic to release its aromatic essence. Deglaze pan with chicken broth, scraping caramelized bits from the bottom to capture concentrated flavors.
- Orzo and Sauce Creation: Add orzo, cream, Parmesan, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir thoroughly to create a creamy base. Gently nestle seared meatballs into the orzo mixture.
- Finishing and Serving: Cover and simmer, allowing ingredients to meld and orzo to reach al dente perfection while sauce thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately, showcasing the harmonious blend of tender meatballs and creamy orzo.
Notes
- Prevent Overworking Mixture: Gently mix ingredients to maintain a light, tender texture in meatballs. Overmixing can lead to dense, tough results.
- Uniform Meatball Size: Use a small ice cream scoop or consistent hand-rolling technique to ensure even cooking and professional presentation.
- Maximize Flavor Depth: Deglazing the pan captures caramelized bits, intensifying the dish’s overall taste profile and creating a rich, complex sauce.
- Rest and Absorb: Allow mixture to rest for 10-15 minutes before forming meatballs, enabling breadcrumbs to absorb moisture and improve meatball structure.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg