Juicy Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Polenta Recipe Delight

Succulent and hearty, these chicken meatballs nestled in creamy polenta offer a comforting embrace of flavor that warms you from the inside out.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of tender, seasoned chicken perfectly complemented by smooth, rich polenta.

The meatballs bring robust Mediterranean-inspired notes that dance across your palate with remarkable depth.

Herbs and spices infuse the meat with an irresistible aroma that makes dinner feel like a special occasion.

Weeknight cooking becomes an elegant experience with this simple yet sophisticated dish.

This recipe strikes a beautiful balance between rustic comfort and refined elegance.

Let’s find out a meal that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Polenta – What You’ll Need

• Chicken Fillet: Lean protein that forms the base of tender, juicy meatballs, best when fresh and organic for maximum flavor.
• Onion: Adds sweetness and depth, choose firm onions with no soft spots or sprouts.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together, helps create a smooth and cohesive meatball texture.
• Cornstarch: Ensures meatballs remain moist and helps prevent them from falling apart during cooking.
• Breadcrumbs: Provides structure and lightness, opt for fine, dry breadcrumbs for best results.
• Fresh Parsley: Introduces a bright, herbal note and vibrant green color to the meatballs.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall flavor profile.

• Crushed Tomatoes: Creates a rich, smooth base with intense tomato flavor, canned varieties work perfectly.
• Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps blend sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Smoked Paprika: Delivers a deep, smoky undertone that elevates the sauce's complexity.
• Salt and Pepper: Crucial for seasoning and balancing the sauce's taste.
• Fresh Parsley Leaves: Provides a fresh garnish and light herbal finish.

• Instant Polenta, Water/Vegetable Broth, Semi-Skimmed Milk: Combine to create a creamy, smooth base with layered flavors.
• Pecorino or Parmesan Cheese: Introduces a salty, tangy dimension and enhances overall creaminess.

Tools to Shape Chicken Meatballs and Simmer Polenta

• Food processor: Essential for blending chicken and meatball ingredients smoothly.
• Baking tray: Needed to arrange and bake meatballs evenly.
• Parchment paper: Prevents meatballs from sticking to the tray.
• Pan: Used for cooking tomato sauce and simmering meatballs.
• Whisk: Critical for preparing creamy polenta and mixing ingredients.
• Cutting board: Helps chop chicken and parsley precisely.
• Sharp knife: Necessary for fine chopping parsley and chicken.
• Measuring cups/spoons: Useful for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Large pot: Required for boiling water and cooking polenta.

Directions for Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Polenta

• Prep Station Kitchen Setup

Gather all cooking tools and ingredients. Create a clean, organized workspace with cutting board, mixing bowls, baking tray, and cooking utensils ready for action.

• Meatball Magic

Blend ground chicken with herbs, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. Gently form mixture into soft, rounded balls ensuring they’re consistent in size for even cooking.

• Oven Performance

Place meatballs on parchment-lined baking tray. Slide into preheated oven and let them transform into golden, juicy delights with a perfectly crisp exterior.

• Saucy Companion

While meatballs roast, craft a rich tomato sauce. Simmer crushed tomatoes with aromatic spices, creating a vibrant backdrop that’ll complement the chicken’s delicate flavor.

• Polenta Perfection

Whisk polenta into boiling water, stirring consistently. Transform the grains into a smooth, creamy canvas that’ll serve as a luxurious base for your meatballs.

• Final Flourish

Nestle roasted meatballs into warm tomato sauce. Spoon creamy polenta onto plates, crown with saucy meatballs, and sprinkle fresh herbs for a restaurant-worthy presentation.

Creamy Polenta Tips and Meatball Enhancers

• Add a splash of milk or cream to your chicken mixture to ensure ultra-tender, juicy meatballs that won't dry out during baking.
• Experiment with different herb combinations like rosemary, thyme, or oregano to create unique flavor profiles that complement the chicken's mild taste.
• Prepare meatballs and sauce a day in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator. This technique allows flavors to develop and makes weeknight cooking a breeze.
• For extra richness, swap water with chicken broth when cooking polenta. This simple swap adds depth and creates a more luxurious base for your meatballs.
• Replace traditional breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe friendly for those with dietary restrictions without compromising texture or taste.

Plate : Chicken Meatballs with Polenta

• Cozy Family Feast: Serve this hearty dish during chilly evenings when everyone craves warm, comforting meals that bring loved ones together around the dinner table.
• Rustic Italian Presentation: Layer the creamy polenta as a soft base, carefully place meatballs on top, and drizzle extra sauce around the plate for an authentic, restaurant-style visual appeal that looks professionally prepared.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the rich chicken meatballs and tomato sauce with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which will enhance the meal's robust flavors and create a sophisticated dining experience.
• Mediterranean Side Harmony: Add a light Greek salad with crisp cucumbers, feta cheese, and kalamata olives on the side to balance the dish's richness and provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy polenta and savory meatballs.

Meal Planning with Creamy Polenta Chicken Meatballs

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store cooked meatballs and polenta separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of preparation, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Separate storage prevents soggy textures and maintains individual ingredient quality.
• Smart Freezing Technique: Freeze uncooked meatball mixture or fully cooked meatballs in sealed freezer bags for up to 3 months. Label containers with preparation date and contents to track freshness accurately.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated meatballs gently in a covered skillet with additional sauce, stirring occasionally to prevent drying. Microwave polenta with a splash of milk, stirring midway to restore creamy consistency and prevent hardening.
• Batch Preparation Hack: Double the recipe and portion out meals in advance. Pack individual servings in meal prep containers for convenient grab-and-go lunches or quick dinners during busy weekdays, ensuring delicious homemade food is always within reach.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 5

Succulent Chicken Meatballs with Velvety Polenta

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired chicken meatballs with polenta offer a delightful culinary journey through savory flavors and comforting textures. Herbs, spices, and rich polenta create a harmonious dish that will transport you to sun-drenched coastal regions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 200 – 230 g (7 – 8 oz) chicken fillet
• 1 egg
• 1 onion
• 2 tbsps breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper
• 400 g (14 oz) crushed tomatoes (1 can)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (or hot for spicy tomato sauce)
• Drizzle olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Few fresh parsley leaves
• 100 g (3.5 oz) instant polenta
• 600 ml (20 fl oz) water (or vegetable broth)
• 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) semi-skimmed milk
• 40 g (1.4 oz) pecorino or parmesan cheese
• 1 knob of butter

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Instructions

1. Preheat Preparation: Configure oven to 160°C (320°F) with fan circulation for consistent heating.
2. Meatball Mixture: Pulse chicken with seasonings in food processor until uniformly blended, incorporating breadcrumbs to adjust texture if necessary.
3. Meatball Formation: Shape ten symmetrical meatballs, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
4. Initial Baking: Arrange meatballs on parchment-lined tray, positioning in central oven rack for 20 minutes until golden and thoroughly cooked.
5. Sauce Development: Heat olive oil in skillet, add crushed tomatoes with paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer 7-8 minutes until sauce reduces and thickens.
6. Flavor Infusion: Gently transfer baked meatballs into tomato sauce, allowing them to simmer 8-10 minutes and absorb rich flavors.
7. Polenta Preparation: Bring salted water to boil, gradually whisk polenta while stirring continuously to prevent lumps, maintaining medium heat for two minutes.
8. Creamy Refinement: Reduce heat, incorporate milk, butter, and cheese, whisking until smooth and creamy. Adjust liquid for desired consistency.
9. Finishing Touches: Finely chop fresh parsley, plate creamy polenta base with saucy meatballs nestled on top, generously garnish with parsley and season to taste.

Notes

• Precise Meat Processing: Dice chicken fillets uniformly to ensure even texture and consistent cooking throughout the meatballs.
• Moisture Management: Add breadcrumbs gradually if the chicken mixture feels too wet, helping maintain the ideal meatball binding and preventing crumbling.
• Strategic Oven Placement: Position meatballs on the central rack for balanced heat distribution, ensuring golden-brown exterior and thorough internal cooking.
• Flavor Absorption Technique: Allow meatballs to simmer in tomato sauce after baking to enhance taste and create a more complex, rich flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg