Spinach Alfredo Chicken Meatballs
Spinach Alfredo Chicken Meatballs are a comforting and nutritious dish featuring tender ground chicken mixed with fresh spinach, baked or pan-fried to golden perfection, and simmered in a creamy homemade Alfredo sauce. Ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, or as a versatile appetizer, these meatballs combine simple, wholesome ingredients for a deliciously satisfying meal with mild flavors that even kids love.
- Author: Sarah
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (about 16 meatballs) 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking and Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free bread crumbs or almond flour)
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped and sautéed
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs (or almond flour for low-carb / gluten-free option)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian herbs (dried basil, oregano, thyme blend)
Alfredo Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Prepare the Spinach: Finely chop fresh spinach leaves and sauté briefly in a pan with a touch of olive oil to soften and remove excess moisture, ensuring juicy meatballs.
- Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, sautéed spinach, bread crumbs (or almond flour), egg, mozzarella (if using), Parmesan, garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Mix gently until incorporated without overworking.
- Form the Meatballs: Shape the mixture into evenly sized meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter to allow for even cooking and perfect meat-to-sauce ratio.
- Brown the Meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a light coating of oil. Brown the meatballs on all sides until golden, about 6-8 minutes. They do not need to be fully cooked at this point.
- Prepare the Alfredo Sauce: In the same pan or separate saucepan, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan, whisking constantly until thickened and creamy.
- Simmer Meatballs in Sauce: Gently add browned meatballs to the Alfredo sauce, cover, and let simmer for 10-12 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and flavors melded.
- Serve and Enjoy: Plate the Spinach Alfredo Chicken Meatballs with extra sauce spooned over the top. Garnish with chopped parsley or basil if desired and serve with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Remove as much liquid as possible from cooked spinach to prevent soggy meatballs.
- Mix ingredients gently to keep meatballs tender and avoid toughness.
- Make meatballs uniform in size for even cooking.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best melting and flavor.
- Allow meatballs to rest a few minutes after cooking to seal in juices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs with sauce
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
Keywords: spinach, chicken meatballs, Alfredo sauce, creamy sauce, healthy meatballs, easy dinner, low carb, gluten free, kid-friendly