Chicken And Ricotta Meatballs Recipe

Light, fluffy meatballs made with creamy, full-fat ricotta are simple to love. Mix whole milk ricotta cheese, Italian seasonings, and ground chicken, turkey, or beef in minutes.

Yield: about 30 meatball – ▢2 pounds (907 g) ground chicken thigh, turkey or lean beef – ▢8 ounces (225 g) whole milk ricotta cheese, excess liquid drained – ▢½ cup panko, or coarse breadcrumbs – ▢2 large eggs, lightly beaten – ▢¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese – ▢½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped, or substitute 2 teaspoons dried basil or chopped fresh parsley – ▢2 teaspoons grated or finely chopped garlic – ▢¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or crushed red pepper – ▢Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper – ▢Extra virgin olive oil

INGREDIENTS

Mix ground chicken, ricotta, panko, eggs, Parmesan, basil, garlic, cayenne, 2 teaspoons salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. 

INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1

Mix ground chicken, ricotta, panko, eggs, Parmesan, basil, garlic, cayenne, 2 teaspoons salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. 

STEP 2

Baked meatballs Turn on the oven to 450. Line a rimmed baking sheet with paper. Place meatballs on sheet and drizzle with olive oil. 

STEP 3

The meatballs should be golden brown and cooked through (160-165F on a meat thermometer) after 20 minutes of baking, flipping halfway

STEP 4

Pan-fried meatballs Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high. If the meatballs don't sizzle, the pan isn't hot enough. 

STEP 5

Cook meatballs 3-5 minutes till one side is golden brown. Turn them over and cook until firm and cooked through. 

STEP 6

Tip: Cover the pan after flipping the meatballs and lower the heat to medium to finish cooking them with residual steam.

STEP 7

Serving Cook or bake the meatballs halfway done to serve with marinara or your preferred pasta sauce. Cook them for 10 minutes in your boiling sauce.

STEP 8

With robust toothpicks and a dish of tangy tomato sauce for dipping, the meatballs are delightful.

STEP 9

30-minute Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs Recipe

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