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Baked Lemon Rosemary Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Orzo

Juicy Baked Lemon Rosemary Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Orzo

Enjoy Baked Lemon Rosemary Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Orzo, a comforting dish that combines tender meatballs and creamy orzo for a delightful family dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 lb Ground Chicken or ground turkey/pork
  • 2 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1 medium Chopped Shallot or onion
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder or fresh garlic
  • 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Rosemary or fresh rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika or regular paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
  • ¼ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese or Pecorino Romano
For the Orzo
  • 1 cup Orzo Pasta or couscous
  • 2 cups Water
  • ½ cup Dry White Wine or broth
  • 2 cups Fresh Baby Spinach or kale
  • ½ cup Heavy Cream or coconut milk
For the Topping
  • 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese or Provolone cheese

Equipment

  • baking dish
  • mixing bowl

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) and lightly grease your baking dish with olive oil.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, Dijon mustard, chopped shallot, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, dried rosemary, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese until fully combined.
  3. Roll the mixture into tablespoon-sized meatballs (about 15-16 total) and place them in the prepared baking dish.
  4. Drizzle olive oil over the meatballs, sprinkle with lemon peel, fresh dill, and chili flakes, and bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden.
  5. Reduce the oven temperature to 400°F (204°C). Carefully pour the orzo over the meatballs, add water and wine, and stir gently. Top with fresh spinach and season with salt and pepper.
  6. Bake the dish for an additional 12-15 minutes, allowing the orzo to absorb most of the liquid.
  7. Stir in heavy cream (or coconut milk) and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella. Bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese melts and is bubbly.
  8. Let the dish cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1plateCalories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 35gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 3mg

Notes

This dish can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat gently to maintain creaminess.

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