If you’re looking for a delicious and healthy way to enjoy a beloved classic, these Spinach Chicken Meatballs are a delightful twist on traditional meatballs, packed with flavor and nutrients that will make your taste buds dance with joy!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Packed with Nutrition: The spinach provides an excellent source of vitamins while keeping the meatballs light and juicy.
- Versatile Delight: Whether you serve them with pasta, as a sub, or in salads, these meatballs fit in perfectly.
- Quick and Easy: With just a few simple ingredients and steps, these meatballs come together in no time at all.
- Kid-Friendly: The mild flavors and fun bite-sized form make these a hit even with picky eaters.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of these Spinach Chicken Meatballs lies in their simplicity. Each ingredient is chosen for the punch it packs in flavor and nutrition, making the final dish both savory and wholesome.
- Chicken Breasts or Ground Chicken: Opt for lean protein that absorbs the flavors of garlic and feta beautifully.
- Baby Spinach: Adds a vibrant green hue and boosts the nutrient content effortlessly.
- Feta Cheese (Optional): This adds a creamy bite and a subtle tanginess to the meatballs.
- Bread Crumbs: Panko style is ideal for a light, crispy touch.
- Garlic: The aromatic essence that elevates the entire dish.
- Egg: Binds everything together to form perfectly shaped meatballs.
- Onion: Adds depth and sweetness, balancing the flavors delightfully.
- Olive Oil: Keeps the onions from sticking and adds a delicate richness.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance and unify the flavors.
Variations
One of the joys of cooking is tweaking recipes to fit your needs. These Spinach Chicken Meatballs are endlessly adaptable, and here’s how you can make them your own!
- Cheesy Variation: Swap in mozzarella for a milder, melty experience.
- Spicy Kick: Add chili flakes to the mix to turn up the heat!
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour for a celiac-friendly version.
- Herb Lovers: Mix in fresh herbs like parsley or basil for an added burst of freshness.
How to Make Spinach Chicken Meatballs
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Begin by cooking the onion in olive oil over medium-high heat until it’s both soft and golden. This process heightens the sweetness of the onion and forms the flavor base.
Step 2: Wilt the Spinach
With the onions ready, toss in the spinach and sauté until tender. This quick step ensures the spinach retains its vibrant green color while blending seamlessly into the meatballs.
Step 3: Blend the Mixture
Combine the spinach mix with chicken, breadcrumbs, feta, egg, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Blend until a smooth, homogenous mixture forms — this ensures every bite is packed with flavor.
Step 4: Shape and Cook
Roll the mixture into small balls with your hands, then arrange them on a lined tray. Bake for 15 minutes at 200°C (400°F). For an air fryer method, reduce the cooking time to 10 minutes for crispy perfection.
Pro Tips for Making Spinach Chicken Meatballs
- Perfect Blend: Ensure a smooth blend to evenly distribute flavors throughout the meatballs.
- Onion Sweetness: Allow onions to caramelize slightly; this enriches the meatball’s overall taste.
- Customize Cheese: If using feta, remember it can add extra saltiness, so adjust additional seasoning accordingly.
- Efficient Rolling: Moisten your hands to prevent the mixture from sticking while shaping the meatballs.
How to Serve Spinach Chicken Meatballs
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or a dusting of grated parmesan adds an extra touch of elegance and taste as a garnish. These simple additions can brighten the plate and complement the meatballs beautifully.
Side Dishes
These meatballs pair perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes, al dente penne pasta tossed in tomato sauce, or a fresh garden salad. Each side dish option emphasizes the meatballs’ flavor profile.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Spinach Chicken Meatballs as part of a fun family dinner by creating a build-your-own sub station or crafting a colorful, stacked meatball tower for an eye-catching party appetizer.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer any leftover Spinach Chicken Meatballs to an airtight container, where they’ll maintain freshness in the refrigerator for up to four days, making quick meals a breeze.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the cooked meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to three months.
Reheating
Reheat the meatballs gently in the oven at 180°C (350°F) or in a simmering pot of sauce until heated through, ensuring they remain moist and tasty.
FAQs
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Can I make these meatballs without cheese?
Absolutely! The feta is optional. Feel free to leave it out, and you’ll still enjoy flavorful, tender meatballs.
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What’s the best way to blend the meatball mixture?
Using a food processor ensures an even blend, but you can also mix by hand if preferred, just make sure all ingredients are well incorporated.
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How can I prevent the meatballs from drying out?
Ensure an adequate blend of chicken and other ingredients, and avoid overcooking. Moisture from spinach and egg also helps retain moisture.
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Can these be cooked in a skillet instead of baking?
Yes! Fry them in a little olive oil over medium heat until browned and cooked through for a crispier exterior.
Final Thoughts
These Spinach Chicken Meatballs are not just a dish; they’re an experience waiting to be shared with loved ones. Give them a try, and they might just become your new go-to dinner favorite!
Print
Spinach Chicken Meatballs Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 40 meatballs 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
These delicious spinach chicken meatballs are a healthy and flavorful dish, packed with protein, spinach, and feta cheese. Perfect for a quick appetizer, a main course served over pasta or rice, or in wraps and salads, they are easy to prepare and cook using an air fryer or oven.
Ingredients
Meatball Base
- 2 chicken breasts or 300g (10 ounces) ground chicken
Vegetables and Feta
- 70 g baby spinach
- 60 g feta cheese (optional)
Breading and Binding
- 50 g breadcrumbs (panko style preferred)
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 egg
- 1/2 onion minced
Seasonings and Oil
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the onion: In a non-stick pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add minced onion and cook until it turns slightly brown and most of its water evaporates, about 5 minutes.
- Cook the spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the pan and cook until wilted and soft, about one minute. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Blend ingredients: In a food processor, combine the cooked spinach and onion mixture, ground chicken, breadcrumbs, feta cheese (if using), egg, salt, and pepper. Blend until the mixture is homogeneous and well combined.
- Form meatballs: Using your hands, shape the mixture into small meatballs. Place them on a tray lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Cook the meatballs: For air frying, preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F). Cook the meatballs for 10 minutes. For oven baking, set the oven to 200°C (400°F) and bake for 15 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
Notes
- Serve these meatballs with tomato sauce pasta, in a sub or wrap, over salad, or with rice for a complete meal.
- You can substitute fresh spinach with frozen spinach (thawed and drained) if needed.
- Feta cheese adds a salty tang but can be omitted for a dairy-free version.
- Make sure not to overmix the ingredients to keep the meatballs tender.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball (approximately 1.5g)
- Calories: 26 kcal
- Sugar: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 42 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.002 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 13 mg
