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Spinach Alfredo Chicken Meatballs

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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

Keywords: spinach, chicken meatballs, Alfredo sauce, creamy sauce, healthy meatballs, easy dinner, low carb, gluten free, kid-friendly