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Easy Creamy Chicken Meatballs with Spinach

Featured in Delicious Main Course Recipes for Every Occasion.

Golden chicken ricotta meatballs baked and paired with a spinach-infused Alfredo sauce. Easily done in about 70 minutes. A satisfying dinner idea.
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Mena
Updated on Mon, 10 Mar 2025 18:25:38 GMT
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Golden Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce | delishdocket.com

These ricotta-enriched chicken meatballs create an irresistible weeknight dinner. The tender meatballs bake while a velvety spinach Alfredo sauce comes together on the stovetop. The combination delivers restaurant-quality flavor while incorporating wholesome ingredients. This recipe emerged during winter menu planning and quickly became a household favorite.

The aroma of these baking meatballs draws everyone to the kitchen. The combination of herbs, garlic, and cheese creates an enticing fragrance that sets the stage for a memorable meal. This dish consistently earns enthusiastic reviews from both family and guests.

Key Ingredients

  • Ground chicken: Provides a lighter base while remaining flavorful. Choose standard ground chicken rather than extra lean.
  • Ricotta cheese: The essential ingredient for achieving tender, juicy meatballs.
  • Breadcrumbs: Acts as a binder while maintaining ideal texture. Either panko or traditional work well.
  • Fresh garlic: Adds essential aromatic flavor to both components.
  • Parmesan cheese: Brings savory depth and helps thicken the sauce.
  • Fresh spinach: Incorporates color and nutrients while balancing richness.
  • Heavy cream: Creates the foundation for a silky sauce.
  • Mozzarella cheese: Provides ideal melting qualities for the sauce.
  • Italian seasonings: A blend of herbs that enhance both meatballs and sauce.
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Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce Recipe | delishdocket.com

Preparation Method

Meatball Assembly

Begin by heating the oven to 400°F and preparing a baking sheet. Combine ground chicken, ricotta, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, Parmesan, herbs, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix gently by hand until ingredients are just incorporated, avoiding overmixing.

Forming and Baking

Using dampened hands, portion the mixture into two-tablespoon meatballs. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet with space between each. The mixture will be softer than traditional meatballs but will set properly during baking.

Starting the Sauce

While meatballs bake for 18-20 minutes, prepare the sauce. Heat olive oil in a large skillet, add minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant. Add spinach and cook until wilted.

Finishing the Sauce

Add heavy cream to the wilted spinach and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Incorporate both cheeses, stirring until completely melted. Season with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper to taste.

Serving Options

Serve these meatballs over pasta varieties like pappardelle or fettuccine. For lighter meals, pair with roasted spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles. Include crusty bread for sauce-gathering and a crisp green salad for contrast.

Recipe Variations

Enhance the sauce with sautéed mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes. Add red pepper flakes for heat or stuff meatballs with mozzarella cubes. Ground turkey works well as an alternative to chicken.

Storage Tips

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to three days. Reheat gently, adding milk if needed to thin the sauce. Meatballs can be made ahead and stored separately from sauce for later assembly.

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Best Baked Chicken Ricotta Meatballs with Spinach Alfredo Sauce | delishdocket.com

Professional Tips

  • Keep hands slightly wet when shaping meatballs
  • Adjust sauce thickness by covering or uncovering the pan
  • Test meatballs with thermometer for 165°F internal temperature

This recipe represents a perfect blend of traditional technique and modern convenience. The ricotta transforms ordinary ground chicken into exceptionally tender meatballs, while the creamy spinach sauce elevates the dish to special-occasion status. It's an ideal choice for both everyday dinners and entertaining.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this with gluten-free ingredients?
Of course! Just swap the breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version.
→ Can I prepare the meatballs in advance?
You sure can! Bake them the day before and warm them up when you're ready to cook the sauce.
→ What’s a good side dish for this?
It’s great with pasta, zucchini noodles, or even some crusty bread on the side.
→ Can ground turkey be used instead?
Absolutely, ground turkey is a great alternative to chicken.
→ How should I store leftovers?
Pop them into a sealed container and refrigerate. They stay good for up to 3 days. Heat gently when eating.

Chicken Ricotta Alfredo

Soft baked chicken ricotta meatballs served with creamy spinach Alfredo sauce - your go-to for a hearty, comforting meal.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
55 Minutes
Total Time
70 Minutes
By: Mena

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Inspired by Italian flavors

Yield: 4 Servings (16 meatballs)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ For the Meatballs

01 1 pound of ground chicken
02 Half a cup of ricotta cheese
03 Half a cup of breadcrumbs
04 1 large egg
05 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
06 A quarter cup of Parmesan cheese, grated
07 1 teaspoon of oregano (dried)
08 1 teaspoon of dried basil
09 A pinch of salt and pepper (adjust as per taste)
10 2 tablespoons olive oil for greasing purposes

→ For the Spinach Alfredo Sauce

11 1 tablespoon olive oil
12 2 garlic cloves, minced
13 3 cups of spinach, fresh and chopped
14 1 cup of heavy cream
15 One-half cup grated Parmesan
16 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
17 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning (dried)
18 Salt and pepper, season to taste
19 Optional: a quarter cup of parsley, freshly chopped for garnish

Instructions

Step 01

Start by getting your oven to 400°F (or 200°C). Then, grease a baking tray lightly with olive oil.

Step 02

In a big mixing bowl, toss in the ground chicken, ricotta, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic, herbs, and a bit of salt and pepper. Stir gently until everything comes together.

Step 03

Roll the mixture into balls that are about 1 1/2 inches big—you should get around 16. Lay them on your greased tray and bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until they’re golden and done.

Step 04

While the meatballs are baking, warm olive oil on a skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic for a minute, then toss in the spinach. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until it wilts down.

Step 05

Pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until it thickens up a bit. Mix in the cheeses and seasoning, stirring well until everything’s melted and smooth. Add salt and pepper to your liking.

Step 06

Once the sauce is ready, add those cooked meatballs into it. Gently coat the meatballs and let everything cook for another 5 to 7 minutes so the flavors mix well. Sprinkle parsley on top if you'd like and serve up!

Notes

  1. If you need gluten-free, swap regular breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version.
  2. Tastes amazing on top of zucchini noodles or pasta!
  3. You can easily prep these meatballs ahead of time and bake them later.

Tools You'll Need

  • A baking tray
  • A big mixing bowl
  • A large skillet

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy is included (ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella, heavy cream).
  • Gluten might be present due to breadcrumbs.
  • Contains eggs.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 425
  • Total Fat: 28 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 10 g
  • Protein: 30 g