Anyone with an Italian Grandmother knows, meatballs are expected, coveted, and endlessly enjoyed at every family gathering. it is sacrilege to tweak Grandma’s recipe, and even worse to not come back for seconds. That being said, I will not be sharing Grandma’s recipe, instead a twist on the Italian classic. Chicken Spinach meatballs give you all the comfort of an Italian dinner and all the health benefits to keep your new year’s resolutions! Pair with a spicy red sauce and some whole wheat pasta to complete the meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound of ground chicken

• 6 Tablespoons of whole wheat Italian bread crumbs

• 6 oz of spinach leaves

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 egg, lightly beaten

• Fresh basil, finely chopped

• Ground pepper

Recipe

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

• Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook spinach for 3 minutes.

• Wrap spinach in clean towels (cloth or paper) and squeeze until dry.

• Finely chop the spinach.

• Place ground chicken in a large bowl.

• Add egg, bread crumbs, basil, garlic, spinach to the bowl.

• Add black pepper to taste

• Mix with hands until ingredients are well blended

• Form into 1-2 inch balls and place on a non-stick baking sheet (use nonstick spray or foil)

• Back for 12-15 until minutes, until cooked all the way through.

• Serve with your favorite sauce and paste, and Enjoy!

Tips:

1.     Refrigerate or freeze to store!

2.     A spicy tomato sauce pairs nicely with the light meatballs!