Description
This Summer Squash Orzo Skillet with Chicken Meatballs combines tender meatballs with fresh zucchini and orzo in a creamy, delicious sauce. A quick and healthy meal that brings comfort to your table!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb. ground chicken
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1.5 teaspoons italian seasoning
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ large white onion, diced
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt, separated
- 2 medium zucchinis, halved and sliced
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup orzo
- Zest from 2 large lemons
- 1.25 cups chicken broth
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 4 oz. burrata cheese, for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, egg, sea salt, minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon olive oil until well mixed. Form the mixture into small meatballs, about 1.5 tablespoons each, and set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and brown them on two sides, then remove from the skillet, as they will finish cooking later.
- In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion with ¼ teaspoon of sea salt for 2-3 minutes over medium heat. Then, add the sliced zucchini and halved tomatoes, cooking for an additional minute.
- Stir in the orzo and toast for 1-2 minutes, then add lemon zest, chicken broth, lemon juice, heavy cream, and the remaining sea salt. Stir well, bring the mixture to a boil, and reduce heat to low.
- Reintroduce the meatballs to the skillet, cover, and let simmer for 7-10 minutes until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Once cooked, remove from heat, top with grated parmesan cheese, and serve hot.
Notes
Feel free to adjust the vegetables based on your preference, such as adding bell peppers or spinach.
For a lighter option, you can substitute ground turkey for ground chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg