One Pan Chicken Meatballs with Orzo

One Pan Chicken Meatballs with Orzo: A Quick and Delicious Dinner Solution

If you’re looking for a comforting, flavorful meal that’s easy to prepare and requires minimal cleanup, this One Pan Chicken Meatballs with Orzo is the perfect recipe for you. With tender chicken meatballs, creamy garlic Parmesan orzo, and a burst of Italian-inspired flavors, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.

🍽️ Ingredients

For the Chicken Meatballs:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground chicken 🍗
• ½ cup (55 grams) dry breadcrumbs 🍞
• ½ cup (35 grams) Parmesan cheese, grated 🧀
• ¼ cup milk 🥛
• 1 egg 🥚
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional) 🌿
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 🌿
• 1 teaspoon salt 🧂
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic 🧄
• ½ teaspoon onion powder 🧅
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper 🌶️

For the Garlic Parmesan Orzo:

• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced 🧄
• 2½ cups low sodium chicken broth 🍲
• 1½ cups (about 278 grams) dry orzo pasta 🍝
• ⅔ cup cream (heavy cream for richer flavor, light cream for a thinner consistency) 🥛
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded 🧀
• ½ teaspoon salt 🧂
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper 🌶️

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Meatballs:

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix well, ensuring that the ingredients are evenly distributed but avoid overmixing to prevent tough meatballs. Let the mixture rest for 10-20 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to absorb excess moisture. 🥣

2️⃣ Form the Meatballs:

Using your hands, roll the chicken mixture into 1 to 1¼-inch balls. 🧆

3️⃣ Cook the Meatballs:

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of oil and sear the meatballs on all sides until they turn golden brown. Once cooked, remove the meatballs from the skillet and place them on a plate. Cover with foil to keep warm. 🍳

4️⃣ Prepare the Orzo:

In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. 🧄

5️⃣ Add Broth and Deglaze:

Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This step adds depth of flavor to the dish. Bring the mixture to a low boil. 🍲

6️⃣ Cook the Orzo:

Add the orzo, cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine. 🍝

7️⃣ Combine and Simmer:

Place the seared meatballs back into the skillet on top of the orzo mixture. Cover the skillet and simmer over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente and the mixture has thickened. ⏳

8️⃣ Serve:

Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious, comforting meal! 🍽️

⏲️ Time and Serving Information

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Calories: 320 Kcal per serving
• Servings: 4 servings

This One Pan Chicken Meatballs with Orzo recipe is a perfect solution for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and delicious without spending hours in the kitchen. The tender chicken meatballs paired with the creamy garlic Parmesan orzo create a satisfying meal that everyone will love. Plus, with only one pan required, cleanup is a breeze!

Enjoy this dish with a side of steamed vegetables or a crisp salad for a well-rounded meal. Don’t forget to share your experience and any tweaks you made to the recipe in the comments below!

One Pan Chicken Meatballs with Orzo

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• Author: Dulcia
• Total Time: 45 min
• Yield: 4 1x

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Meatballs:

1 pound ground chicken (454 grams) 🍗
½ cup dry breadcrumbs (55 grams) 🍞
½ cup Parmesan cheese (35 grams) 🧀
¼ cup milk 🥛
1 egg 🥚
¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional) 🌿
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 🌿
1 teaspoon salt 🧂
1 teaspoon minced garlic 🧄
½ teaspoon onion powder 🧅
¼ teaspoon black pepper 🌶️
Garlic Parmesan Orzo:

2 cloves garlic, finely minced 🧄
2½ cups low sodium chicken broth 🍲
1½ cups dry orzo pasta (about 278 grams) 🍝
⅔ cup cream (any kind – heavy cream will give a richer flavor, light cream will be a bit thinner) 🥛
¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese 🧀
½ teaspoon salt 🧂
¼ teaspoon black pepper 🌶️

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Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Meatballs:

In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk, egg, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix well but avoid overmixing to ensure there are no clumps of breadcrumbs. Let the mixture sit for 10-20 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to absorb excess moisture. 🥣
2️⃣ Form the Meatballs:

Roll the mixture into 1-1¼” balls. 🧆
3️⃣ Cook the Meatballs:

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of oil and sear the meatballs on all sides until golden brown. Remove to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm. 🍳
4️⃣ Prepare the Orzo:

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute. 🧄
5️⃣ Add Broth and Deglaze:

Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to deglaze. Bring it to a low boil. 🍲
6️⃣ Cook the Orzo:

Add the orzo, cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Stir well. 🍝
7️⃣ Combine and Simmer:

Place the meatballs on top of the orzo mixture, cover the skillet, and simmer over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, or until the orzo is al dente. The mixture may look liquidy at first, but it will thicken quickly. ⏳
8️⃣ Serve:

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve. Enjoy! 🍽️

• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 30 min

Nutrition

• Calories: 320 Kcal