Description
Savor the delightful combination of chicken meatballs, tender orzo, and fresh summer squash in this easy-to-make skillet dish. Ideal for a quick dinner or a healthy meal, this recipe is bursting with flavor and is sure to impress your family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb. ground chicken
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1.5 teaspoons italian seasoning
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ large white onion, diced
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt, separated
- 2 medium zucchinis, halved and sliced
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup orzo
- Zest from 2 large lemons
- 1.25 cups chicken broth
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 4 oz. burrata cheese, for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, egg, sea salt, minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mix until thoroughly combined..
- Shape about 1.5 tablespoons of the mixture into meatballs and set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and brown on two sides, then remove them from the skillet and set aside to finish cooking later.
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion with ¼ teaspoon of salt and sauté for 2-3 minutes over medium heat. Then add the zucchini and cherry tomatoes, cooking for an additional minute.
- Stir in the orzo and toast for 1-2 minutes. Add lemon zest, chicken broth, lemon juice, heavy cream, and the remaining salt. Stir well and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Add the meatballs back to the skillet, cover, and let simmer for 7-10 minutes until the orzo is cooked and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Once done, remove from heat and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider adding your favorite herbs such as basil or parsley as a garnish.
Feel free to substitute the chicken with turkey or a plant-based ground option for a different twist.
This dish pairs well with a fresh salad on the side.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
