Monday, March 9, 2015

Chicken Meatballs with Orzo Salad

Baked chicken meatballs provide a healthy alternative to traditional meatballs. Served with whole wheat orzo, this dish is a leaner version of spaghetti and meatballs.

1          pound ground chicken
2          cloves garlic, crushed with press
1          teaspoon dried oregano
2-1/2    tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3/4       cup whole wheat orzo
1          can (15-ounce) no-salt-added garbanzo beans (chickpeas), rinsed and drained
1          container (5 to 6 ounces) baby spinach
1/3       cup crumbled feta cheese
3          tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1          small seedless English cucumber, chopped
1          small ripe tomato, chopped

1 .       Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In covered 3- to 4-quart saucepan, heat 4 cups water to boiling on high. In medium bowl, mix chicken, garlic, oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; shape into twelve 2-inch meatballs. Divide meatballs among cups of 12-cup muffin tin (1 per cup) or place on small jelly-roll pan. Brush meatballs with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until cooked through (165 degrees F).

2 .       Meanwhile, prepare orzo as label directs. Drain well. Place in large bowl; toss with garbanzo beans, spinach, and feta cheese.

3 .       Whisk together lemon juice and remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil. Drizzle over orzo; toss to combine.

4 .       Divide orzo salad among 4 plates. Top each with 3 meatballs. Sprinkle with chopped cucumber and tomato.Spring  is  on the  way ,  getting  ready  for  some lighter  food .
~~Nee~~
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18 comments:

  1. PamMarch 9, 2015 at 9:02 AM

    Oh, everything here looks scrumptious, Nee! Perfect meatballs and salad for any time, thanks!

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    1. ~ Nee ~March 9, 2015 at 2:55 PM

      Hi Pam , I get a lot of ideas from my kids , (6-13) have to keep it interesting . Thanks for stopping by :) Nee

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  2. NellieMarch 9, 2015 at 11:51 AM

    Sounds wonderful, Nee! Gives me a dinner idea.:-)

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    1. ~ Nee ~March 9, 2015 at 2:57 PM

      Hi Nellie , I am glad to help , I get so many ideas from fellow foodies , I do so love visiting your blog , not only for food ideas , but the books also . Thanks for stopping by :) Nee

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  3. AlidaMarch 9, 2015 at 2:58 PM

    What a lovely fresh salad . I love your chicken meatballs and orzo is so refreshing and healthy. In northern Italy is very popular and we make many soups with it too. Beautiful!

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    1. ~ Nee ~March 9, 2015 at 3:07 PM

      Hi Alida , spring is in the air , have a lot of relatives in northern Italy , great Italian food and a beautiful country , I think it's been 3 or four years since we visit last , have to take the kids back soon .
      Thanks so much for stopping by :) Nee

      Delete
  4. ~~louise~~March 9, 2015 at 7:18 PM

    Chicken Meat-A-Balls for National Meatball Day Nee, aren't you the clever one, lol...They sure do look good especially with that Orzo Salad!

    Thanks for sharing, Nee and thank you so much for joining us for Meatball Day!!!

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    1. ~ Nee ~March 9, 2015 at 10:05 PM

      Hi Louise ,
      Spring is in the air and what better way to prepare for the warmer weather . Soon , we can put away the heavy clothes and slow cookers and get the grills ready . Happy day is here again .

      Thank you for stopping by and I think you for inviting me and making it all possible . I had a ball , after I learn what I was doing (giggling) . Have a great week . Nee :)

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  5. DottieMarch 9, 2015 at 9:44 PM

    Good evening Nee,
    Here I go trying to catch up again...Your recipe looks so yummy right now...would love to taste some right now. A perfect dish for Meatball Day! I liked that you used the ground chicken. I use the chicken and ground turkey meat as well. It is so much better for you. That is when I do not have company or the family over..otherwise they know the difference and I would hear about it. Like the orzo as well and like you I have started thinking about light salads, I guess the weather is making me think of Spring and warmer weather. Great job and thanks for sharing. Have a lovely week.
    Dottie :)

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    1. ~ Nee ~March 9, 2015 at 10:12 PM

      Good evening Dottie ,
      With the time change , catching is is what we will be doing until our body clocks catch up , is it not so .
      I use a lot of ground chicken , turkey and the other white meat (pork) trying to not eat as much red meat . I use lots of spices and herbs and the taste is deliciously good .
      My guests will eat the ground meats and enjoy it when they are seasoned good . They are all about taste and as long as the taste is good they are not picky eaters .
      Thanks for stopping by and have a great week .
      ~~Nee~~ :)

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  6. Karen LuvswesavoryMarch 9, 2015 at 11:33 PM

    Hello Nee,
    These lovely baked chicken meatballs looked so tempting ^-^ ! Definitely tasted refreshingly good with salads! Yummy!

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    1. ~ Nee ~March 10, 2015 at 12:02 AM

      Hi Karen,
      They are worth a try and you will like them . Spring time is in the air .
      Thanks for stopping by :)

      Delete
  7. Medeja- CranberryJamMarch 10, 2015 at 4:06 AM

    Baked meatballs healthy and delicious meal! :)

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    1. ~ Nee ~March 10, 2015 at 4:09 PM

      Hi Medeja , so easy and the taste is unbelievable . Thanks for stopping by :)

      Delete
  8. ZoeMarch 10, 2015 at 9:07 PM

    Hi Nee,

    Your healthier meatballs sound extremely wholesome :D

    Zoe

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    1. ~ Nee ~March 11, 2015 at 9:00 AM

      Hi Zoe, They are healthy and has great taste . Thanks for stopping by :)

      Delete
  9. Sokehah cheahMarch 11, 2015 at 1:24 AM

    This certainly looks delicious, yet healthy!

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    1. ~ Nee ~March 11, 2015 at 9:01 AM

      Hi Cheah , try them you will like them , thanks for stopping by :)

      Delete

Hi friends, thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to say hello. The welcome mat is always out and the coffee is always hot .I really appreciate your sweet gesture!

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