Baked Chicken Meatballs with Orzo and Parmesan Cream Sauce

Looking for a new pasta night hit? This chicken meatballs with orzo recipe is sure to make the rotation. Served in a buttery cream sauce with your favorite tiny cut of pasta, these herbaceous chicken meatballs are super easy to make, yet BIG on flavor.

INGREDIENTS

• Herby Meatballs:
• 1/3 cup DeLallo Italian Seasoned Breadcrumbs
• 1/3 cup Delallo Imported Italian Pecorino Romano, grated
• 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
• 2 small cloves crushed garlic, or 1 large
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• cooking spray
• 2 tablespoons DeLallo Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Creamy Orzo:
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 shallot, thinly sliced
• 1 cup DeLallo Orzo Pasta
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 ½ cups chicken stock
• ⅓ cup heavy cream
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• freshly cracked black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Prepare a sheet pan with a piece of parchment paper and lightly oil the paper.
2. Add the breadcrumbs, ground chicken, garlic, pecorino, sage, parsley, thyme and salt to a large bowl. Mix until incorporated.
3. Form the mixture into approximately 15-16 (2-ounce) meatballs, packing them tightly. Place them onto the prepared sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and bake on the top rack of the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
4. Meanwhile, heat butter in a large saute pan over medium heat and cook until melted.
5. Add the shallots to the butter and season with a pinch of salt. Cook for about 2 minutes.
6. Stir in the orzo. Pour in the white wine and bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the chicken stock. Bring to a simmer then reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for about 6 more minutes, stirring often.
7. Add in the heavy cream and parmesan. Bring to a simmer to let the cheese melt. Add the spinach and cook until wilted. Season with salt to taste.
8. Add the cooked meatballs, garnish with freshly cracked black pepper, more parmesan, and serve.