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Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach

Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach
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These Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach combine lean ground chicken, creamy ricotta, and fresh spinach for a healthy, protein-packed dish that’s juicy, tender, and full of flavor. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, meal prep, or versatile serving options, these meatballs are easy to make and keep well refrigerated or frozen.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground chicken
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup fresh spinach, sautéed and drained
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/3 cup bread crumbs (use gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Spinach: Lightly sauté fresh spinach with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt until wilted. Drain thoroughly to remove excess moisture to prevent soggy meatballs.
  2. Combine the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently mix together ground chicken, ricotta cheese, sautéed and drained spinach, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, egg, bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until evenly distributed. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
  3. Form the Meatballs: Scoop and shape the mixture into 1 to 1.5-inch meatballs using your hands or a small ice cream scoop for uniform size to ensure even cooking.
  4. Bake the Meatballs: Place the meatballs evenly spaced on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 18–20 minutes or until cooked through and lightly golden on top.
  5. Serve and Enjoy: Let the meatballs rest a few minutes after baking to allow juices to redistribute, making each bite juicy and tender. Garnish if desired and serve with your favorite sides or in sandwiches.

Notes

  • Don’t overmix the meatball mixture to maintain a tender texture.
  • Drain spinach well after sautéing to avoid soggy meatballs.
  • Use parchment paper on the baking sheet to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
  • Keep meatballs uniform in size for even cooking.
  • Test bake one meatball first to adjust seasoning if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked chicken meatballs, ricotta meatballs, spinach meatballs, healthy chicken recipe, gluten-free meatballs, quick chicken dinner, meal prep meatballs

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/baked-chicken-ricotta-meatballs-with-spinach/