Chicken Meatballs and Orzo in Red Pepper Sauce
These chicken meatballs and orzo in red pepper sauce are the perfect dinner. The chicken meatballs are tasty and tender, and much lighter than traditional beef meatballs. There are walnuts in the red pepper sauce, which adds nuttiness and depth to a sauce that is already fresh and bursting with flavor. The melty mozzarella on top and fresh basil tie the whole dish together.
Chicken Meatballs and Orzo in Red Pepper Sauce
Orzo can be used in so many ways. It’s a tiny pasta that looks more like rice than pasta. There is still gluten in the orzo, which is great because we will save some of the pasta water for the roasted red pepper sauce. The chicken meatballs are really easy to make; they are seared and then simmered in the roasted red pepper sauce, making them super tender. The fresh sauce ingredients will go into a blender or food processor, then into the pan with the meatballs to simmer.
Ingredients needed to make chicken meatballs and orzo in red pepper sauce
Chicken meatballs~
- Ground chicken
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Dried oregano
- Mustard (Dijon or yellow)
Roasted red pepper sauce~
- Roasted Red Peppers (here’s a link to make them at home: Homemade Roasted Red Peppers
- Basil
- Walnuts
- Garlic
- Honey
pasta~
- Orzo
- Fresh or Pre-Shredded Mozzarella
- Onions
- Garlic
- Fresh Basil
Notes for Success
- Start with ½ cup of pasta water; you can always add more if you need to thin the sauce out.
- You can substitute your favorite cheese.
- You can store the chicken meatballs and orzo in red pepper sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Are you looking for more recipes with roasted red peppers?
- Homemade Roasted Red Peppers
- Roasted Garlic and Red Pepper Hummus
- Turkey and Brie Sandwich with Red Pepper Aioli
- Sun-Dried Tomato and Whipped Goat Cheese Gnocchi
If you make my chicken meatballs and orzo in red pepper sauce recipe, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or TikTok! I love seeing the recipes you make!
Chicken Meatballs and Orzo in Red Pepper Sauce
Ingredients
Chicken Meatballs
- 1 LB Ground Chicken
- ¼ cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1 tsp Mustard (yellow or Dijon)
- ½ tsp Salt
- Black Pepper
Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
- 2 whole Roasted Red Peppers
- ¼ cup Walnuts
- ¼ cup Fresh Basil
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1 tbsp Honey
- ½ tsp Salt
Pasta
- 1 cup Orzo Pasta
- ½ medium Onion
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 6 oz Mozzarella Cheese
Instructions
- Start by making the sauce. Add the roasted red peppers, walnuts, basil, garlic, salt/ pepper and honey to a blender or food processor. Mix on high for a minute until a smooth sauce forms. Dice the onion and garlic and set aside.
- Prepare the chicken meatballs. Add ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, dried oregano, mustard, salt, and pepper to a medium sized bowl. Mix the ingredients until well combined. You may have to use your hands to mix well. Roll the chicken mixture into 11 or 12 meatballs.
- Bring a pot of water with a generous pinch of salt to a boil. Once the water is boiling add the orzo pasta and cook as instructed on the package. Cook until al dente. Before you drain the pasta, carefully reserve some pasta water, about a cup of water.
- Pre heat a large pan to medium heat. Add olive oil to the pan along with the chicken meatballs. Sear the chicken meatballs for about 4 minutes on each side.
- After meatballs are browned on both sides add in onion and garlic saute on medium heat for 1 minute. Add the roasted red pepper sauce and ½ cup pasta water. Give the meatballs a stir and turn the temperature to low. Cover with a lid and let the meatballs simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add in cooked orzo and mix, if the sauce is too thick add more pasta water. Top the dish with mozzarella cheese, cover with a lid to melt the cheese. This should only take a few minutes. If desired, top with more basil and serve immediately. Enjoy!
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