Creamy Chicken And Spinach Meatballs🐥

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These chicken and spinach meatballs are super juicy meatballs made with ground chicken. They are then finished in a creamy spinach sauce with hints of garlic. This super easy meatball recipe is perfect for any occasion but quick enough to serve a weeknight meal.

Recipe Highlights

How it taste: Chicken and spinach meatballs basically taste like creamed spinach turned into a full meal rather than a side dish. The sauce has a creamy texture with garlic and a hint of nutmeg creating the main flavors.
Skill level: Although not a complete beginner recipe, chicken and spinach meatballs are easy to make. You will need a little understanding of starting out cooking something hot like searing the meatballs then transferring to something around medium heat to make the roux.
Storage: In the refrigerator the recipe will do great. It’ll keep several days when stored in a container with a lid. I would not recommend freezing the sauce.

Ingredient tips

Chicken: Ground chicken can range in fat percentages but the higher the fat the better. Lean ground chicken will work and there is a little oil added to help with moisture but fat makes the honey lemon chicken meatballs extra juicy. Ground turkey can also work as a swap as well but this isn’t a recipe that pairs well with beef.
Garlic: Actual garlic is used in the recipe but also paired with garlic powder. I would recommend subbing the actual garlic before omitting the garlic powder. They work best together but if separate the garlic powder will leave a more notable flavor.
Spinach: I suggest fresh spinach only. Frozen spinach can be used but I haven’t tested it and I worry about it watering down your sauce with the extra water. Other greens such as kale can be used and it’ll work well in this recipe.
Dairy: Whole milk is used for the base of sauce. Then, heavy cream is added later to make it extra creamy. Half and half can be used in place of both.
Parmesan: It’s not listed in the ingredients but you can see it in the photo and it pairs beautifully with the recipe. It’s best used as a final garnish on top of everything.

Chef’s tips

Allow the meatballs to rest a little after mixing the ingredients. Technically, you can roll the meatballs immediately after mixing but allow the meat to work in with the other flavors makes a difference in flavor.
Prep everything before you start cooking. Have all the ingredients measure out because this recipe goes very fast once you get started.
Try avoiding adding the milk and the heavy cream at the same time unless you’re a very experienced cook. It’s easy to curdle dairy sauces when adding too much heat or high heat for too long. Because there is less fat in whole milk you have a larger window of error and heat.

How To Make Chicken And Spinach Meatballs

Start by making the meatballs. Allow them to rest about 15 minutes to come together after mixing.
In a pan on medium high heat, add a little oil, then sear the meatballs on 1 or 2 sides then remove them.
Lower the heat and add in minced garlic. Cook until browning then add in the butter.
Make the roux then slowly pour in the milk while whisking.Once the sauce has started to thicken, add in the seasonings.
Add the meatballs back in and simmer until the they are fully cooked.
Afterwards, remove the cooked meatballs and add in the cream and spinach. Simmer until the spinach has withered.
Serve the meatballs with the creamy spinach sauce.

Serving suggestions

Serve the garlic chicken and spinach with mashed potatoes. You can’t go wrong with mashed potatoes and the sauce. Rice will also pair well with the recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use frozen spinach instead?

Yes, but add it slowly. If the sauce starts to get too thin stop because you are adding extra water with the frozen spinach.

Can I skip the garlic powder in the sauce?

Of course! The garlic powder is there to reduce error in the recipe. You’ll get a garlic flavor in the sauce no matter what.

Chicken recipes to try next

Sheet Pan Chicken Tacos
Garlic Chicken & Spinach
Parmesan Sheet Pan Chicken
Pan Seared Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs
Chicken And Coconut Lime Rice
Crack Chicken Sliders

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Chicken And Spinach Meatballs

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 20

Total Time 40

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings serving

Calories 517 kcal

Ingredients

Chicken Meatballs

16 ounce ground chicken ()
1 large egg
1/2 cup breadcrumbs ()
1/2 cup grated parmesan
2 tablespoon oil (any cooking oil)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon oregano (dried)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce

1/4 medium yellow onion
3 clove garlic (minced)
2 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 cup spinach (fresh)
salt & pepper to taste
garnish with parmesan cheese

Instructions

Prep the meatballs first. Mix together all the ingredients for the meatballs then cover for about 15 minutes. After, roll the meatballs by hand.
In a pan on medium high heat, add about 2-3 tablespoons of oil then sear the meatballs on 1-2 sides. Just sear them unitil they are golden. They will finish cooking through later. Remove them once they are golden, then sit to the side.
Once the meatballs are removed, add in the garlic and onion. Add a little more oil if needed but you don't want the pan dry. Cook the onion and garlic until browning then add in the butter. Once the butter has melted, sprinkle in the flour and cook the flour with the onions and garlic for 1 minute.
Next, whisk in the chicken broth first. Then, pour in the milk. Sprinkle in the garlic powder and nutmeg and continue whisking until it starts to thicken.
Once thicken, lower the heat to low then add back in the meatballs. Allow the meatballs to cook in the sauce while it simmers. This should take 10 minutes more or less. Once the meatballs are done, remove the them once again.
Add in the heavy cream and spinach. Now, continue to stir as it thickens and spinach withers down. You may need to add the spinach in batches, it'll all fit once withered.
Lastly, season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the meatballs and spinach together with the sauce. Garnish with a helping of parmesan cheese.

Nutrition

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Keyword Chicken And Spinach Meatballs

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