Lemon Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Garlic Orzo

Best Lemon Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Garlic Orzo

Looking for a delicious and easy dinner recipe? Look no further! The Best Lemon Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Garlic Orzo is a perfect dish that combines juicy meatballs with bright lemon flavors and creamy orzo. This recipe is simple enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough for company.

Why Make This Recipe

This recipe is a winner for several reasons. First, it’s packed with flavor thanks to the fresh lemon and garlic. Second, the meatballs are made with ground chicken and ricotta, making them light yet filling. Finally, the orzo adds a hearty touch, and cooking everything together means less cleanup. You get a complete meal in one dish, making it perfect for busy nights.

How to Make Best Lemon Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Garlic Orzo

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the ground chicken, ricotta cheese, egg, breadcrumbs, lemon zest, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently until just combined.
3. Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake the meatballs in the oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through.
5. While the meatballs are baking, cook the orzo. In a large skillet, melt the butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the remaining minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds.
6. Add the orzo to the skillet and toast it for 1 minute.
7. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until the orzo is tender.
8. Stir in the lemon juice and chopped parsley. Once the meatballs are done, add them to the skillet with the orzo to warm them through and coat with the sauce.
9. Serve warm, garnished with extra lemon zest or parsley if desired.

How to Serve Best Lemon Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Garlic Orzo

Serve the meatballs over a bed of garlic orzo for a comforting meal. You can also add a simple side salad or steamed vegetables for some extra nutrition. Enjoy your meal with a slice of crusty bread to soak up all the flavorful juices!

How to Store Best Lemon Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Garlic Orzo

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should keep well for up to three days. To reheat, simply warm them in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through.

Tips to Make Best Lemon Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Garlic Orzo

• Be gentle when mixing the meatball ingredients to keep them tender.
• Make sure not to overcook the orzo; it should be al dente.
• If you want more flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like basil or thyme.

Variation

If you want a little heat, you can add red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture! Also, you can substitute the ground chicken with turkey for a different taste.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen ground chicken?
   Yes, you can use frozen ground chicken. Just make sure to properly thaw it before starting the recipe.

2. What can I serve with meatballs and orzo?
   This dish pairs nicely with a simple green salad, steamed broccoli, or even garlic bread.

3. Can I prepare these meatballs in advance?
   Absolutely! You can prepare the meatballs ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze them before baking. Just add a few minutes to the baking time if baked from frozen.

Enjoy your cooking! This recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household.

Lemon Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Garlic Orzo

A delicious and easy dinner recipe that combines juicy meatballs with bright lemon flavors and creamy orzo, perfect for busy nights or impressing guests.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Meatballs

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 piece egg
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 piece lemon (zested and juiced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

For the Garlic Orzo

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, mix together the ground chicken, ricotta cheese, egg, breadcrumbs, lemon zest, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently until just combined.
• Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Cooking the Meatballs

• Bake the meatballs in the oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through.

Cooking the Orzo

• While the meatballs are baking, cook the orzo. In a large skillet, melt the butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the remaining minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds.
• Add the orzo to the skillet and toast it for 1 minute.
• Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until the orzo is tender.

Combining and Serving

• Stir in the lemon juice and chopped parsley. Once the meatballs are done, add them to the skillet with the orzo to warm them through and coat with the sauce.
• Serve warm, garnished with extra lemon zest or parsley if desired.

Notes

Be gentle when mixing the meatball ingredients to keep them tender. Make sure not to overcook the orzo; it should be al dente. Consider adding fresh herbs like basil or thyme for more flavor.

Keyword Easy Dinner Recipe, Garlic Orzo, Lemon Chicken Meatballs, One Dish Meal, Ricotta Meatballs