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Dinner recipe · from the recipe book

Basil-Oregano Chicken Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Tender ground chicken meatballs flecked with fresh basil and parsley simmer in a garlicky tomato sauce, spooned over fluffy white rice.

Basil-Oregano Chicken Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1¼ lb560 gGround chicken
  • ½ cup45 gPlain dry breadcrumbs
  • 1 large50 gEggsbeaten
  • ¼ cup grated25 gGrated Parmesan
  • ¾ cup leaves20 gFresh basilchopped, divided
  • ¼ cup chopped15 gFresh parsleychopped
  • 5 cloves15 gGarlicminced, divided
  • 1 medium110 gYellow onionfinely diced
  • 2 tsp2 gDried oregano
  • 1½ tbsp20 gOlive oildivided
  • 1¾ lb800 gDiced tomatoes, canned
  • 2 tbsp30 gTomato paste
  • 1 medium200 gZucchinidiced
  • ½ tsp1 gCrushed red pepper
  • ½ tsp3 gSaltdivided
  • ½ tsp1 gBlack pepper
  • 1½ cups280 gLong-grain white rice, dryrinsed
  • 2 cups500 gWater

Steps

  1. Put the rice and water in a saucepan, bring to a boil, cover, and simmer on low for 15 minutes; rest off the heat, covered, for 10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in a bowl combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, parsley, half the basil, one third of the garlic, the oregano, half the salt and the black pepper. Mix gently and roll into about 20 balls.
  3. Heat half the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and brown the meatballs on all sides, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate; they finish cooking in the sauce.
  4. Add the remaining half of the olive oil to the skillet, then the onion and zucchini; cook 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the remaining two thirds of the garlic, the tomato paste and the red pepper flakes and cook 1 minute.
  5. Add the canned tomatoes and the remaining half of the salt, bring to a simmer, and return the meatballs to the skillet.
  6. Cover and simmer 12 to 15 minutes, turning the meatballs once, until they reach 165°F (74°C) in the center.
  7. Fluff the rice and divide among plates. Top with the meatballs and sauce and scatter the remaining half of the basil over the top.

Contains: Milk, Egg, Gluten. Some brands contain soy.

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Saved in the Every Helping recipe book on October 24, 2026.

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