Recipe: Marinara Chicken Meatballs With Spinach Orzo

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound ground chicken
• teaspoon sea salt
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
• 24 ounces marinara sauce
• 8 ounces orzo
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups baby spinach, chopped
• ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
• ¼ cup grated parmesan
   

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat air fryer (or oven) to 400 degrees F.
2. Using your hands, gently but evenly mix the ground chicken, salt, egg, parmesan cheese, garlic, Italian seasoning and breadcrumbs.
3. Shape into 2 tablespoon sized balls and add to preheated air fryer or oven.
4. Cook, turning half-way until cooked through – about 10 minutes in the air fryer and about 25 minutes in the oven.
5. Heat marinara sauce in a wide pan until simmering and add cooked meatballs to sauce while you prepare the orzo.
6. Cook orzo according to package directions, drain and return to pot.
7. Add olive oil, spinach, salt and pepper to the orzo and toss until spinach has wilted.
8. Serve orzo topped with meatballs and sauce, garnish with fresh basil and a bit more parmesan cheese.
    

SERVES: 4