By 8:15 this morning, I was pulling off forty-nine mini chicken meatballs (yes, I counted) from a hot skillet and putting them in the refrigerator for dinner tonight. Some days, things just align and I start the day ahead of the game. Not very often, but every once in awhile.
When I spied this recipe in the June issue of Redbook magazine, I ripped it right out. It was from Food Network celeb chef Giada De Laurentiis. There are several chefs that I know I can always count on getting a good recipe from. Giada is one, the Barefoot Contessa is another. Emeril too. I just know their recipes work. Every time. And these days, that’s huge. When I saw that this recipe makes between fifty and sixty mini meatballs, I knew it was perfect to make today because I was heading down to visit my sister and the new baby at lunchtime, so I could make, halve and share this one easily.
When I removed them from the skillet, I tried one to make sure that they were worthy for sharing. And then another. Total yum. Moist, juicy and just downright delicious. Just a few simple ingredients mix together to make these mini little meaty treasures. Brown on each side for two minutes and then cook in chicken broth for 5 minutes. For about 15 minutes of your time, you’re rewarded with a nice, easy, healthy dinner that you can feel good about putting on the table. And the mini little size made these perfect for the kids, although truth be told, Nick took one look at them and made a series of disgusted faces. No matter, Madeline ate his share and then some.
But how to serve them? In the article, they were shown plated in a large bowl with fresh cheese sprinkled on top. That is wonderful as an appetizer or for a party, but not so much for dinner. I needed more. And I found it, another new recipe, in the most recent issue of Food Network magazine. But that recipe is a story for another day.
Mini Chicken Meatballs
Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis, Redbook June 2009
- 1/4 cup(s) plain breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup(s) chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon(s) whole milk
- 1 tablespoon(s) ketchup
- 3/4 cup(s) freshly grated Romano cheese
- 3/4 teaspoon(s) salt
- 3/4 teaspoon(s) freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound(s) ground chicken
- 1/4 cup(s) olive oil
- 1-1/2 cup(s) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup(s) chopped fresh basil, for garnish
- 1/2 cup(s) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
In a medium bowl, stir together breadcrumbs, parsley, eggs, milk, ketchup, Romano cheese, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and combine well. Use a melon baller (or a teaspoon measure) to scoop the mixture; roll the seasoned chicken into 3/4-inch mini meatballs.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the meatballs and cook without moving until brown on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Turn the meatballs and brown the tops, about 2 minutes longer. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until the meatballs are cooked through, about 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh basil and Parmesan cheese.
Yum!!! I’m not usually a meatball fan but these look great. Glad you got to share.
Claires last blog post..Get This Outa My House!
oh my gosh! that looks so good. i love turkey meatballs!!
Heathers last blog post..One More Week…
Thanks so much for visiting my blog! Which in turn brought me to your wonderful site! I just subscribed!
Oooh, those look awesome. I love a good chicken meatball (and find chicken to be so much moister than turkey). Mmmm.
Sarah Carons last blog post..Fresh From the Garden: Broccoli Rice with Lemon Herb Dressing
Wow, your blog is beautiful and very infomative. You are a great writer as well. I am going to try this recipe. I have yet to find a recipe that makes ground turkey sound good. This one look delicious.
The Delightful Gourmets last blog post..Cooking With Kids
woops, I meant ground chicken. :)
The Delightful Gourmets last blog post..Cooking With Kids
I like that you used chicken for the meat and orzo for the pasta. An interesting and light twist on spaghetti and meatballs. Love it! Looks delicious.
Looks like a healthy, nutritious and delicious meal. I’m all for that.
ciaochowlindas last blog post..Five-Star Almond Cake
Chicken meatballs are good things and giada is one of my trusted chefs as well. Tyler Florence is another.
Joannes last blog post..My First Risotto
Looks so good. I like to try recipes people recommend. I hate wasting ingredients because something sounds good then turns out yucky.
I like to watch Giada on Food Network. Thanks for posting the recipe. This looks like something my hubby will actually eat.
Ramonas last blog post..Horse Sucker
wow thats getting a head start on dinner – they look great!
doggybloggys last blog post..bouncing back
I’m so trying these! I bet they would be fabulous on top of a pizza.
Cathys last blog post..almost done…..
They look great Cate! I think my son would like these. I will try these sometime over the summer. Looks like these go a long way if you make a bunch!
Debbies last blog post..Pizza Pasta Toss
Promptly printing this one out to try very soon!
As soon as I get through a batch of cakeballs for my daughter’s class on Friday.
Cate- I laugh at some of my accidents more than others! ;)
Beautiful site, by the way. I’m drooling.
Emily @ The Pilot’s Wifes last blog post..10 on the 10th: Accidents
um….49 meatballs by 8:15 am? what else is there to say? you are officially my hero.
seriously.
kiss my spatulas last blog post..Fresh Pineapple Sorbet
If I had made these at 8:15 AM they would have wound up as breakfast, not dinner!
I like Giada too. Her recipes are realistic, they don’t take 4 hours to make and all use relatively simple ingredients.
Mariss last blog post..Alton Brown’s Onion Dip From Scratch
YUM! I wish the stars would align better for me so that I could be so well prepared for dinner that early in the day!
Patsys last blog post..Greek Yogurt with Berries, Honey & Granola
That looks like a delicious dinner. I rarely buy ground chicken, so it might be nice to do something new. And hey, my SIL just had a baby, so perhaps I’ll do the same!
Lori @ RecipeGirls last blog post..Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Yum, these mini chicken meatballs look scrumptious, so yummy with orzo!
Natasha Р5 Star Foodies last blog post..Frozen Coffee Liqueur Souffl̩
sounds like a winner!
ttfn300s last blog post..Mexican Slaw
This does sound delicious, and it looks wonderful. I rely on all those chefs you mentioned also. I love to find someone whose recipes “work”, I tend to stick with them:)
donnas last blog post..Special Fried Rice and Enjoli(huh?)
Lovely & apart meat balls! Yummie indeed!
Sophies last blog post..Minted , lime & ginger syrup fruit salad
Those look so good, I can’t wait to make them. I love Giada!
Saras last blog post..Chewy Chunky Blondies Recipe
These have been on my list of recipes to make since I first saw your post…nearly a year ago! I finally made them this weekend. Yum! I’m sorry I waited so long. I did have a really hard time keeping the meatballs together…this mixture was really wet. So my meatballs were somewhere between a ball and a patty – but delicious nevertheless. I made them with your orzo pasta recipe as well. I added peas for a one-dish meal (plus a salad!).