What Is Chicken Meatballs With Orzo?
Meatballs seem to have originated with the Persians, who passed it to the Arabs. Orzo is a form of short-cut pasta shaped like a large grain of rice. Chicken meatballs with orzo is a pleasing pasta dish to have, the divinely small but mighty orzo pasta. This hearty pasta dinner is under an hour—start to finish. These creamy chicken meatballs are super easy to make. We’re using white wine, creamy Dijon mustard, garlic, herbs, Parmesan cheese, and orzo. Then, add in some vibrant spinach and sun-dried tomatoes for veggies, flavour, and a pop of colour.
The Ingredients You Will Need To Make Chicken Meatballs With Orzo
- 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken, pork, or turkey
- 3 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and black pepper
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 head garlic, minced
- 1 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Origin or Sauvignon Blanc
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 twig rosemary
- 2 cups dry orzo pasta
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or canned full fat coconut milk.
How To Make Chicken Meatballs With Orzo
Step 1:
Add the chicken, Italian seasoning, Dijon, and 1/2 cup Parmesan to a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Mix to combine.
Step 2:
Coat your hands with oil, and roll the meat into tablespoon-size balls (will make 15-16 meatballs).
Step 3:
Put a large frying-pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil, then add the meatballs and sear (to cook food using relatively high heat)until browned, around 5 minutes.
Step 4:
Add sliced onion. Cook for 5 minutes, then add the butter, garlic, and rosemary. Let the butter for another 2–3 minutes.
Step 5:
Lower the heat to medium. Pour in the wine. Mix in the orzo and 1 1/2 cups water. Cook, stirring frequently, another 6–8 minutes until the orzo is firmed. Mix in the spinach, tomatoes, and cream. Serve the chicken meatballs over the orzo. Enjoy.
Chicken Meatballs With Orzo / Top Tips
1. Use a scoop or spoon to measure out chicken meatballs so that you get equal sized meatballs. This way, they will all cook up at the same speed.
2. Don’t overdo the handling of the meatballs. Too much time taken to form them will result in tough meatballs.
3. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over a low heat. Add a splash of water or milk to prevent it from drying out.
Chicken Meatballs With Orzo: FAQ
1. Are chicken meatballs healthy?
Ground chicken is high in protein but low in saturated fat. In some cases, you can choose the percentage of fat content. We recommend no higher than 93% lean.
2. Can I use ground Turkey or Ground Beef Instead?
Yes, you can change up the recipe to use ground turkey or minced beef, but we prefer chicken for this recipe.
3. Can I Use Another Pasta Cut Instead of Orzo?
Yes, you can use any cut of pasta you like as long as it is high-quality pasta. Try it with a long cut of pasta like fettuccine or spaghetti. Or go for a shortcut like penne rig ate or fusilli.
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