Broccoli Risotto with Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Creamy and flavorful risotto with savory parmesan meatballs. A fantastic and quick dinner!

Baking risotto is a lifesaver.

We get all the deliciousness but in half the time and then it gets finished up on the stovetop. My favorite part is just tossing the broccoli in with the arborio rice, broth, and moving on to the meatballs. These meatballs are super easy too. They are pan fried and set aside.

After the risotto is done baking, we move to the stove and add more broth, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and truffle oil. (optional) I like to add a bit of wine to the mix but it’s not necessarily a must do part of the recipe.

Okay let’s get started!

INGREDIENTS:

Meatballs 

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp dried or fresh basil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated (fresh is best)
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Risotto 

• 1 cup chopped broccoli
• 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
• 5 1/2 cups chicken broth, warmed by microwave or stovetop
• 1 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated (fresh is best) plus more for garnish
• 1/4 cup white wine (optional)
• 1 tbsp white truffle oil
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a Dutch oven or large pot add the rice, broccoli, and 4 cups of warm broth.
3. Cover and bake for 45 minutes.

Meatballs

1. In a medium sized bowl add all of the ingredients except the olive oil.
2. Mix with a spoon until well combined.
3. Roll into 1 inch balls.
4. Heat a pan on medium. Drizzle in the 1 tbsp olive oil.
5. Add the meatballs and cook unitl light golden brown and the internal temperature reads 165 degrees. (You can always cut 1 open and make sure its cooked all the way)
6. Set the meatballs aside. Cover to keep warm.

Finishing up

1. When the 45 minutes is up for the risotto, take it out of the oven and move to the stovetop. 
2. Add the remaining broth, parmesan cheese, butter, truffle oil, salt, pepper, and wine (if using)
3. Stir for 2 minutes. This will get that creamy consistency we need for good risotto. 
4. Taste and see if it need any more salt or pepper.
5. Serve with some meatballs on top.
6. Garnish with extra parmesan cheese.
7. ENJOY!