Description
Juicy chicken ricotta meatballs simmered in a creamy spinach Alfredo sauce – a comforting and flavorful one-pan dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for browning)
- For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce:
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta, panko, Parmesan, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix gently until just combined.
- Shape into 1.5-inch meatballs (about 16-18 meatballs).
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatballs in batches and brown on all sides (about 2-3 minutes per side). Do not cook through. Remove and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt butter. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to deglaze the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Whisk in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add fresh spinach and stir until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
- Return the meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Cover and cook over low heat for 10-12 minutes, or until meatballs are cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
Notes
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. You can also substitute ground turkey for chicken. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Method: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Fat: 36g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Protein: 38g