Ingredients
– 1 lb ground chicken
– ½ cup breadcrumbs
– 1 egg
– ¼ cup grated Parmesan
– 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
– 2 minced garlic cloves
– ½ tsp salt
– ¼ tsp black pepper
– 2 tbsp milk
– 1 cup orzo pasta
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 small onion, diced (about ½ cup)
– 2 garlic cloves, minced
– 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved (about 2 cups)
– 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
– ½ tsp dried oregano
– ¼ tsp salt
– ¼ tsp black pepper
– Fresh basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
1-First Step: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even browning without added fats.
2-Second Step: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground chicken, ½ cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, ¼ cup grated Parmesan, 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, 2 minced garlic cloves, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp milk. Mix gently with hands or fork until just combined overmixing makes dense meatballs.
3-Third Step: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll into 1-inch balls, about 20-24 total. Place on prepared sheet, spacing 1 inch apart for air circulation.
4-Fourth Step: Bake for 20-25 minutes, until internal temperature hits 165°F and exteriors turn golden. Flip halfway for uniform color if you like. Let rest 5 minutes to lock in juices.
5-Fifth Step: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent.
6-Sixth Step: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute until fragrant. Add halved cherry tomatoes, stirring to release juices, about 2 minutes.
7-Seventh Step: Pour in 1 cup orzo, 2 cups chicken broth, ½ tsp oregano, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper. Bring to simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 10-12 minutes until orzo absorbs liquid and is al dente. Stir occasionally.
8-Eighth Step: Remove from heat, stir in chopped fresh basil. Taste and adjust seasoning. Fluff for perfect texture.
9-Final Step: Spoon tomato orzo onto plates, top with 4-5 baked rosemary chicken meatballs per serving. Drizzle with extra olive oil or marinara if desired. Garnish with rosemary sprigs for a restaurant touch. This easy baked chicken meatballs meal pairs earthy herbs with bright tomatoes, ready in 35 minutes total. Store leftovers as noted later. Pro tip: Use an ice cream scoop for uniform sizes.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
💡 Finely chop rosemary fresh for maximum aroma and flavor infusion.
🔥 Use a cookie scoop for uniform meatball sizes that bake evenly.
🍝 Reserve some pasta water to loosen orzo if it gets too thick!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: High-Protein
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-5 meatballs with ¾ cup orzo
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
