Southern Style Baked Chicken Ricotta (Printable Format)
Tender chicken ricotta meatballs blend with creamy spinach Alfredo for a comforting southern-style meal.
# Needed Ingredients:
→ Meatballs
01 -
1 pound ground chicken
02 -
1 cup ricotta cheese
03 -
1 cup chopped spinach, fresh or frozen
04 -
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
05 -
1 large egg
→ Spinach Alfredo Sauce
06 -
1 cup heavy cream
07 -
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
08 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
09 -
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
→ Cooking and Garnish
10 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
11 -
2 tablespoons fresh herbs, chopped parsley or basil
# Preparation Steps:
01 -
Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Lightly coat a baking dish with olive oil.
02 -
In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, breadcrumbs, and egg. Mix gently until fully incorporated but do not overwork.
03 -
Using damp hands, shape the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs and place evenly in the prepared baking dish.
04 -
Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
05 -
While the meatballs bake, heat a saucepan over medium heat. Add heavy cream and bring just to a simmer. Stir in minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Continue stirring until cheese melts and sauce slightly thickens.
06 -
Add additional chopped spinach to the sauce if desired, cooking until wilted.
07 -
Transfer baked meatballs to a serving platter. Spoon spinach Alfredo sauce over the top and garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil.
# Supplementary Details:
01 -
For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey and use part-skim ricotta and half-and-half in the sauce.