My Chicken Meatballs.

CHICKEN MEATBALL 

I did this not too long ago and cannot wait to do it again.  I had not used ground chicken before and it was on special ... so I said... now is a good time.  So, I walked around the grocery store and really took everything in ... and came up with this.  And let me just say... I did use a jarred Alfredo sauce.  You can use your own or jarred... just use an Alfredo type for the sauce.  

As usual... no measurements.

Here are the ingredients I used:

Perdue Ground Chicken.

Sun dried tomato strips, not in oil, but if you want to use them, it is okay...

Spinach, fresh (frozen is fine too, just thaw and squeeze the water out).

Garlic.... crushed .. minced.. whatever ... it needs to be FINE.

1 egg.

Italian style bread crumbs.

Parmesan cheese.

1 can petite diced tomatoes (optional)

Mushrooms ... fresh or jarred, it is up to you.  If you use fresh, saute them before you use them in the sauce.

1-2 jars of mushroom Alfredo.

You can use ANY pasta you like... I chose radiatore because it has a lot of ridges to catch the sauce.

Alright... here we go...

Saute your sun dried tomato, spinach and garlic together.  Use olive oil or even butter being a little extra fat in ground chicken is NOT going to hurt.  Set it aside and let it cool.

Once cool, mix half of it with your ground chicken, egg... now... on the bread crumbs and cheese... use enough to not dry out your mix.  You want it to stay sticky and moist.  Add a little at a time.  Now... I covered this and chilled it for about 30 minutes being it was so sticky.  This gives time for the flavors to mingle and for it to rest.

Now, you are going to make it into balls.  You can make them whatever size you want.  I would compare mine to perhaps ping pong ball size!  Once they are rolled... let them rest again.  Use a non stick pan to cook them in.  OR you could put them in a baking dish or on a sheet pan and bake them.  Try 350 until you check temperature... 170 for done.  I would pull them out around 160 because they are going to cook in the sauce for a little while.

So while you are doing all this...  use your pot that the sauce is going to be in... saute your chopped mushrooms until they are lightly browned, butter or olive oil... or both ... up to you.  Season them with salt and pepper.  Once they have got the color you desire... add the rest of the mix to that.  Warm it up with the mushrooms.  Add your sauce.  Pinch of nutmeg ... not in the ingredients but it does make a little bit of difference.  NOW..... add your meatballs...  let them cook for about 10 minutes...  ADD the can of tomatoes... sounds weird... I know... but try it... it really makes this sauce pop.  Now... let this cook... you can check the temp of your meatballs again if you want...  

Get your pasta going... you know what to do... lots of water, lots of salt, lots of boiling... follow the directions of the package... unless you are making your own pasta.  Something I have not attempted yet.... but it is on my to do list....... 

So once your pasta is done... you can either mix it up with your sauce or serve it on top.  

I think everyone has their own preferences... 

But... if anyone has any questions.... please feel free to just ask or even comment.  

Thanks!!!!!

L.

PS:  If you are feeling really creative... instead of turning it into a meatball, make it into a patty.  Grill it.  Top it with your "mix."  Maybe add your fave cheese... perhaps mozzarella, provolone or even a blue cheese.  Really thinking about this for myself... if I do it... I will definitely post it!