Chicken Pesto Meatballs and Orzo - lighter chicken meatballs are flavored with prepared pesto and served atop a creamy Greek yogurt and pesto orzo pasta.
Do you guys love orzo? I do. I swear, I do. It's so versatile and easy to prepare, but sadly, I almost always forget about it. I'm sorry orzo. I really am. Poor lonely orzo, hangs out in my cabinet until one of those nights I start dinner and go to reach for a box of short pasta and realize that I have 8 boxes of different shaped pastas, all with only about ¼ of a box left. Instead of combining (which I totally have done before and am not ashamed) the different pastas, I grab for the long forgotten orzo.
Yep, that's pretty much how orzo came to be in this dinner. And that's okay. What am I always telling you guys? It's all about versatility. Big deal if you're missing an ingredient, figure out a new one and make it work, right? Right.
So, that being said, if you still aren't into Greek yogurt, go ahead and use sour cream instead. No biggie. Don't have ground chicken? Don't fret, grab some ground turkey. Or pork. Whatever. I'm not going to turn you into the cooking police. I promise.
If you make your own pesto, great! I do too! Okay, I don't. I think about it. Every year, when I have a ridiculous amount of basil growing, I think to myself, I'm going to use all this basil for pesto. Yes. I can't wait. I get psyched..... I get distracted. My plants eventually die. I buy jarred pesto. Whatever. Next year, yes, I'll do it next year.
When you make the meatballs, you'll have to do it in batches. You don't want to overcrowd the pan or they won't brown up good. I know I tell you that all the time about browning, but it's important enough to repeat. When you place them in the hot oil, leave them alone for a few minutes, otherwise, you're likely to smoosh them. Give them a few minutes to form a nice browned crust and then start flipping them around. If you roll them small enough, they should only take a few minutes each batch.
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Printable Recipe Card
Chicken Pesto Meatballs and Orzo
Ingredients
For Meatballs
For Orzo
Optional for garnish:
Instructions
This meal was inspired by Pesto Meatballs and Orzo on About Food.
Amy @Very Culinary says
Orzo does seem like the forgotten pasta. Probably because everyone thinks it's a grain? I so love it...and love how you used it here!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
Pesto in meatballs?! Yum. I definitely need to get on that! And um, I didn't actually know what orzo was until I read this post. Scary, huh?
foodyschmoody says
I'm sorry, I did giggle a little hearing you never heard of orzo. I grew up on it. My mom used to put it in soups for us when we were kids. Now you HAVE to try it!
Sarah says
This looks like pure comfort food! I love pesto and orzo. I'll be trying this asap!
Stephanie @ Back For Seconds says
Oh this looks like the ultimate comfort food!
Bea says
Oh yes, dear over looked orzo is being overlooked in my pantry as well way too many times but then when I make it is such comfort food. There is no other way to describe it orzo = comfort food 🙂
Love this recipe even so it's not greek yoghurt in this house by vegan sour "cream" 🙂
foodyschmoody says
Comfort, indeed Bea!
Caroline @ Shrinking Single says
I had no idea about orzo either until recently - mainly because at the supermarkets here in Australia they call it Risoni. so confusing!
Amanda @ The Kitcheneer says
Pesto in my meatballs sounds like a winning combo! I also love incorporating greek yogurt in most of my recipes too!
Dedy@Dentist Chef says
Damn delicious and comforting orzo pasta!!!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
What a great flavor combo! This looks delish!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
HaHa! I can so relate to the 3 or 4 1/4 filled boxes of pasta in the pantry. I hear you on that one. Orzo happens to be one of my favorites. I love the short grain and the mouth feel it provides. Nice recipe with the meatballs!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
Pinned...we are definitely going to be trying this dish! It looks awesome! I think I have everything I need! 🙂
Linda (Meal Planning Maven) says
I love finding new meatball recipes and yours looks yummy! I think the orzo would be a delicious accompaniment!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I seriously do not cook with enough orzo. Definitely need to make this recipe asap.. it looks delicious and so creamy.
Melissa from HungryFoodLove.com says
Oh those meatballs are making me drool!
Julie says
I always forget about orzo, too. Thanks for the reminder!!
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious says
Those meatballs look perfect!!! And great idea to pair them with orzo... I love it but always forget about it, too.
Kim Beaulieu says
I'll take two bowls. I'll be over in 5 minutes.
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
I do LOVE orzo! I have some in the pantry that I've been meaning to use too!
Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox says
I love pesto in my meatballs....and orzo looks like the perfect pairing!
Fina Zarzar says
Can you bake the meatballs. If so what temperature and for how long to bake them?
foodyschmoody says
I have not tried to bake these meatballs so I can't say for certain but my best guess would be 400 F for about 20-25 minutes.