Description
A savory and comforting dish featuring tender chicken meatballs cooked to perfection and paired with creamy risoni (orzo) infused with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. This recipe offers versatile cooking methods for the meatballs including baking, pan-frying, or air frying, all combining for a rich, flavorful meal that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Meatballs
- 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) minced (ground) chicken
- 1½ cups (90 g) panko breadcrumbs
- 1 small brown onion, finely diced
- 1 tbsp freshly minced garlic
- 1 egg
- ½ cup (50 g) freshly grated parmesan
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- Olive oil spray or 1 tbsp olive oil
For Cooking the Meatballs
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for pan-frying if chosen)
For the Risoni and Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 brown onion, diced
- 1 tbsp freshly minced garlic
- 135 g (5 oz) semi-dried (sun-blushed) tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (concentrated puree)
- 2 cups (500 ml) chicken stock
- 1 cup (200 g) risoni (orzo)
- ½ cup (125 ml) thickened (heavy) cream
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp chilli (red pepper) flakes, plus extra to serve (optional)
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- ½ cup (125 ml) water
- 2 cups (100 g) fresh baby spinach
- ½ cup (50 g) freshly grated parmesan, plus extra to serve
Instructions
- Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the minced chicken, panko breadcrumbs, finely diced brown onion, minced garlic, egg, grated parmesan, milk, sweet paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently using your hands until just combined without overmixing.
- Form the meatballs: Take heaped tablespoons of the mixture and roll them into balls slightly smaller than a golf ball. Wet your hands if the mixture sticks. You should get about 12 meatballs.
- Cook the meatballs (choose one method):
• To oven bake: Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F) or 200°C (400°F) fan forced. Line a baking tray with parchment paper, place meatballs spaced apart, spray them with olive oil, bake for 10 minutes, then grill on high for 3–4 minutes until edges brown.
• To pan-fry: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep non-stick frying pan. Cook meatballs for 8–10 minutes until browned and cooked through, then set aside.
• To air fry: Preheat air fryer to 200°C (400°F). Spray basket with olive oil. Place meatballs not touching, spray them with olive oil, cook 6–8 minutes until browned and cooked through. - Prepare the risoni and sauce: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large, deep heavy-based frying pan over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cook stirring for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes and vinegar: Stir in the chopped semi-dried tomatoes and red wine vinegar. Cook stirring for 30 seconds until most liquid evaporates.
- Add tomato paste: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add liquids and risoni: Pour in chicken stock, add risoni, cream, dried oregano, chilli flakes if using, and black pepper. Cook stirring regularly for 5 minutes.
- Add water and cook risoni: Add ½ cup water and continue cooking, stirring regularly, for another 5 minutes or until risoni is tender.
- Finish the sauce: Turn off the heat, add fresh baby spinach and grated parmesan, stirring until spinach wilts.
- Combine meatballs and sauce: Add the cooked meatballs to the sauce and gently stir to coat them well.
- Serve: Serve immediately with extra parmesan and chilli flakes if desired.
Notes
- For perfectly tender risoni, monitor cooking time and liquid level; add a splash more water if the mixture dries out before pasta is cooked.
- You can choose your preferred meatball cooking method: baking, pan-frying, or air frying according to your convenience.
- Chilli flakes are optional and can be adjusted to taste.
- Ensure not to overmix the meatball mixture to keep the meatballs light and tender.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Chicken meatballs, Risoni, Orzo, Creamy tomato sauce, Sun-dried tomatoes, Italian dinner, Easy chicken recipe
