Best Italian Chicken Meatballs
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
:
Serves: Serves 4
Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground chicken breast (or ground beef)
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup plain breadcrumbs (gluten-free, use GF breadcrumbs)
  • 1 teaspoons salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1½ teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 1½ teaspoons chopped fresh sage
  • 1½ teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon ground dried porcini mushrooms (buy pre-ground or grind them yourself for optimal flavor)
  • For the Tomato Sauce:
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can imported whole Italian DOP San Marzano tomatoes (see Note), crushed or blended to a thick and slightly chunky puree
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
  1. Combine all the meatball ingredients in a food processor or a large mixing bowl and combine. Form into 1-inch or larger meatballs. Heat the oil in a large skillet and lightly brown on all sides. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  2. Add the garlic to the skillet and saute for one minute. Add the tomato puree and bring to a rapid boil for 2 minutes. Add the salt, parsley and basil and simmer for another 3-5 minutes.
  3. Return the meatballs to the sauce, stir to coat, cover and simmer over medium for about 15 minutes.
  4. Serve with pasta.
  5. *These meatballs freeze well (see Note).
Notes
*There is no substitute for sun-ripened, DOP-certified Italian tomatoes. Using the standard tomatoes from grocery stores will result in a sauce that is bland and flavorless. The DOP San Marzano tomatoes are widely considered the best. You can also find them in specialty stores. If you can't find DOP-certified San Marzano's, use another quality Italian-imported brand.
*Either freeze the meatballs raw and make the sauce the day you're ready to eat them or freeze them cooked in the sauce. Place them single-layer in ziplock freezer bags. Thaw completely and slowly reheat them to retain moistness.
Recipe by The Daring Gourmet at https://www.daringgourmet.com/best-italian-chicken-meatballs/