Date Night Chicken Parmesan Meatballs With Creamy Polenta Food

DATE NIGHT CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS WITH CREAMY POLENTA

Steps:

• In a medium mixing bowl, mix together all ingredients except the ground chicken until it resembles a coarse breading. Add the ground chicken and mix until *just* combined. Do not overwork the meat. Roll into desired size balls. Mine were about 1 ½ tablespoons each.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs to the skillet but do not overcrowd the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes flipping as needed to brown all sides. Remember you want to just brown the outside, not cook all the way through. Remove meatballs to a plate.
• To the remaining oil, add the minced garlic and continuously stir to cook for 30 seconds. Add the onions and let them sweat, about 2 minutes. Add the crushed tomato, red pepper flakes, water, pesto, and fennel seeds along with ½ teaspoon salt. Allow the sauce to come to a simmer, add the meatballs back in, cover with sauce. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce heat to low. Allow sauce to simmer for 10-12 minutes or until the meatballs cook all the way through.
• While the meatballs are braising in the sauce, heat the cooking liquids in a large pot until boiling. Reduce the heat to medium low, continuously whisk as you add in the polenta. Cover and let cook on low for 20-25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. When the polenta is done, turn the heat off, stir in the parmesan and butter. Keep in mind the polenta will continue to thicken as it sits, you may need additional broth/milk to thin it back to your desired consistency. Serve topped with chicken parmesan meatballs. Top with fresh basil, parsley, and parmesan cheese if desired.

CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS WITH SOFT POLENTA

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build hot coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only to medium-high heat.
• For the meatballs: Combine the ground chicken, ricotta, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, parsley, nutmeg, garlic, egg and onion in a medium bowl until just mixed. Do not overwork. Season with salt and pepper. Divide the mixture into 8 portions and roll into balls.
• Heat a cast-iron pan on the hot side of the grill until nice and hot. Brush the pan with enough olive oil to liberally coat the surface, about 3 tablespoons.
• Place the meatballs in the pan and cook, flipping them, until all sides are caramelized, about 3 minutes. Move the pan to the indirect-heat side of the grill and cover the grill. Cook for 5 minutes.
• For the sauce: Add the garlic, oregano and onion to the pan with the meatballs and saute until the onions begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the meatballs, then add the tomato puree and 1/2 cup water. Season with salt and pepper. Cover the grill and continue to cook until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is reduced slightly, 10 to 15 minutes.
• For topping and serving: Top the meatballs with the mozzarella, cover the grill and cook until the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes. Discard the oregano sprig. Spoon the meatballs on top of the Soft Polenta. Spoon any remaining sauce over top and serve topped with the Parmesan and basil if using.
• (Alternatively, you can cook the meatballs and the sauce as directed in a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop over medium heat, then transfer the skillet to a 400 degrees F oven for 10 to 15 minutes before melting the cheese.)
• Add 4 1/2 cups water, 1 tablespoon salt and the olive oil to a medium saucepot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the cornmeal in a steady stream, until it is all incorporated and smooth. Reduce the heat to medium low and continue to cook at a simmer until the polenta is creamy and fully hydrated, 30 to 40 minutes. Take the saucepot off the heat and whisk in the butter and Parmesan. Season with additional salt and pepper. Transfer the polenta to a large serving bowl.

CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, milk, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add chicken and stir until just combined (do not overmix). In a medium straight-sided skillet, heat oil over medium until it registers 350 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer.
• Place remaining 1 1/4 cups breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Divide chicken mixture into 4 portions and flatten each into a disk. Place 4 mozzarella pieces in center of each, then form disk into a ball around cheese. Coat balls in breadcrumbs and fry until golden brown, 5 minutes, turning once. With a slotted spoon, transfer meatballs to a paper-towel-lined rimmed baking sheet and let drain 1 minute.
• Discard paper towels and transfer sheet to oven. Bake meatballs until chicken is cooked through, about 14 minutes. Divide pasta among four bowls and top each with marinara and a meatball. Sprinkle with parsley.