Vibrant Spring Minestrone with Savory Chicken Meatballs
Delight in the fresh flavors of spring with this hearty minestrone featuring tender chicken meatballs. This flexible recipe encourages creativity by allowing you to incorporate a variety of seasonal vegetables from your pantry or garden, such as zucchini or even eggplant, alongside the classic combination of carrots and baby spinach. The addition of aromatic herbs and a sprinkle of parmesan elevates this dish to comforting gourmet status. Enjoy a bowl of this nutritious soup that not only nourishes the body but also warms the soul.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground chicken
6 ounces (about 3/4 cup)
fresh bread crumbs
1/2 cup
parmesan cheese
6 tablespoons, finely grated (divided, plus more for garnish)
garlic cloves
4 (2 minced, 2 thinly sliced)
fresh chives
2 tablespoons (chopped)
large egg
1 (whisked)
kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (freshly ground)
extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons
leek
1 (white and pale-green parts only, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds)
low sodium chicken broth
5 cups
water
2 cups
ditalini
3/4 cup
carrot
1 cup (peeled and cut into 1/2 inch rounds)
baby spinach
1 cup (packed)
fresh basil
(chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a medium bowl, combine ground chicken, fresh breadcrumbs, 3 tablespoons of finely grated Parmesan, 2 minced garlic cloves, chopped chives, whisked egg, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
2
Form the mixture into meatballs approximately 1/2 inch in diameter, yielding about 28 meatballs.
3
In a small pot, heat 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown all over, about 3 minutes. Once cooked, transfer the meatballs to a plate and set aside.
4
In a large pot, add the sliced leek and sauté over medium heat, stirring frequently, until softened, about 3 minutes. Incorporate the 2 thinly sliced garlic cloves and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
5
Pour in 5 cups of low-sodium chicken broth and 2 cups of water; bring the mixture to a boil. Add 3/4 cup of ditalini and 1 cup of carrot rounds, reducing heat to a simmer. Cook until the pasta is almost al dente, roughly 8 minutes.
6
Carefully add the prepared chicken meatballs to the pot and let simmer until the pasta reaches al dente and the carrots are tender, about 3 minutes.
7
Stir in 1 cup of packed baby spinach and 3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. Cook until the spinach is wilted and the cheese has melted into the soup. Season the minestrone with additional kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
8
Ladle the soup into bowls, garnishing each serving with chopped fresh basil and more parmesan, if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vibrant Spring Minestrone with Savory Chicken Meatballs?
It is a fresh, hearty soup featuring tender homemade chicken meatballs, seasonal vegetables like leeks and spinach, and ditalini pasta in a savory broth.
What ingredients are needed for the chicken meatballs?
The meatballs require ground chicken, fresh breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, chopped chives, a whisked egg, kosher salt, and black pepper.
How many meatballs does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately 28 meatballs, each about 1/2 inch in diameter.
How do I cook the meatballs?
Brown the meatballs in a small pot with extra-virgin olive oil for about 3 minutes, turning occasionally until golden, then set aside to finish in the soup later.
What vegetables can I add to this minestrone?
While the recipe uses leeks, carrots, and spinach, you can creatively add other seasonal vegetables like zucchini or eggplant.
How should I prepare the leek for the soup?
Use only the white and pale-green parts of the leek, slicing them into 1/4 inch rounds before sauteing.
What type of pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of ditalini pasta.
How much chicken broth is required?
You will need 5 cups of low-sodium chicken broth plus 2 cups of water.
When do I add the baby spinach?
Stir in the packed baby spinach at the end of the cooking process until it is just wilted.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to provide 4 servings.
What is the best way to garnish this soup?
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese.
How do I prepare the garlic for this dish?
You need 4 cloves total: 2 minced for the meatballs and 2 thinly sliced for the soup base.
How long does the pasta take to cook?
The pasta should simmer for about 8 minutes until almost al dente before adding the meatballs back in.
Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
Yes, ground turkey can be used as a substitute for ground chicken in the meatball mixture.
What binding agents are used for the meatballs?
Fresh breadcrumbs and one large whisked egg act as the binders for the chicken meatballs.
How thick should the carrot rounds be?
The carrots should be peeled and cut into 1/2 inch rounds.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is described as a nutritious and nourishing soup filled with vegetables and lean protein.
How do I incorporate the Parmesan cheese?
Use 3 tablespoons in the meatball mixture and another 3 tablespoons stirred directly into the soup at the end.
What should I do if I don't have ditalini?
You can substitute other small pasta shapes like orecchiette or small shells.
How long do the meatballs simmer in the soup?
Once added back to the pot, the meatballs should simmer for about 3 minutes until the pasta is fully al dente.
Do I need to use low-sodium broth?
Using low-sodium broth is recommended so you can better control the salt levels of the final dish.
What parts of the leek are used?
Only the white and pale-green parts are used; the dark green tops should be discarded or saved for stock.
Can I add fresh herbs other than chives and basil?
Yes, the recipe encourages creativity with aromatic herbs to elevate the gourmet flavor.
How do I know when the meatballs are done?
They are initially browned for 3 minutes and then simmered in the hot broth for an additional 3 minutes to ensure they are cooked through.
Should the breadcrumbs be dry or fresh?
The recipe specifically calls for 1/2 cup of fresh breadcrumbs for a better meatball texture.
Can I make this soup in one pot?
The recipe uses a small pot for the meatballs and a large pot for the soup to ensure the meatballs are properly browned.
What provides the primary savory flavor in the meatballs?
A combination of Parmesan cheese, fresh chives, and garlic provides the savory profile.
Is the soup seasoned with anything else at the end?
Yes, you should season the finished minestrone with additional kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
How much water is added to the broth?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of water to be added to the 5 cups of chicken broth.
What is the first step in making the soup base?
The first step is sauteing the sliced leek in the large pot until softened, which takes about 3 minutes.