Description
Quick weeknight dinner!
Crowd-pleasing chicken meatballs in a simple tomato sauce.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lbs (454 g) ground organic chicken
- 1 tbsp sour cream
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
- 4 tbsp whole milk (or water)
- 1 tsp basil
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp parsley flakes
- 1 pinch salt
- ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp grated Parmesan
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 ripe medium sized tomatoes
- 1 can organic chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp basil
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/3 cups (80 ml) chicken stock (or 1 tsp dry chicken bouillon and 1/3 cup water)
- salt and black pepper
Instructions
FOR THE MEATBALLS
- Soak breadcrumbs in milk or water for 5 minutes, then add all other meatball ingredients, mix thoroughly, and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Shape meatballs using your hands to roughly 2-inch diameter. Keep water nearby to wet your hands between meatballs to prevent sticking.
- Pour 1 tbsp olive oil into a skillet over medium heat. Gently cook meatballs, moving them every 45 seconds, for about 7 minutes. Set aside.
FOR THE SAUCE
- In another skillet over medium heat, heat about half the olive oil.
- Add chopped garlic and cook for about 30 seconds (do not brown).
- Add chopped tomatoes, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, herbs, and chicken stock. Stir and simmer for 10 minutes over low heat. Add remaining olive oil.
- Remove from heat and pour into a blender. Blend on medium speed for 45–60 seconds until smooth.
- Return sauce to the pan; add parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to taste.
TO ASSEMBLE
- Pour tomato sauce over meatballs and simmer over low heat for 3 minutes.
- Serve over al dente cooked spaghetti. Optional: Drizzle with extra olive oil, sprinkle with extra parmesan, and serve with fresh herbs.
Notes
- To prevent dry meatballs, ensure the chicken is not overcooked. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).
- For a richer flavor, sauté the garlic in butter instead of olive oil.
- Leftover sauce freezes well; store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 100