Creamy Pumpkin Risotto with Parmesan Sage Chicken Meatballs
Ingredients
For the Chicken Meatballs
- Vita Ice Lemon Lime or Orange Mango for serving
- 2 tbsp. Olive Oil divided
- ½ cup Warm Water
- ½ cup Fresh Italian Bread diced
- 1 Egg beaten
- 1 Shallot thinly sliced
- 3 cloves Garlic minced
- 2 tbsp. Fresh Sage chopped
- 1 ½ lbs. Ground Chicken
- ½ cup Parmesan freshly grated
- ½ tsp. EACH Salt, Black Pepper, & Crushed Red Pepper
For the Pumpkin Risotto
- 1 small Yellow Onion finely diced
- 1 tbsp. Olive Oil
- 1 cup Arborio Rice
- 1 cup Pumpkin Puree
- 1 quart Vegetable or Chicken Stock
- ½ cup White Wine optional
- 1 cup Parmesan freshly grated
- 2 tbsp. Fresh Basil chopped, or 1 tbsp. thyme leaves
Instructions
To Make the Chicken Meatballs
- Preheat the oven to 450F.
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water and diced bread. Let soak for 5 minutes, then drain.
- In an oven-safe skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil to heat up for 1 minute.
- Add the chopped shallot, garlic, and sage to sauté for 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Add the remaining ingredients, including the bread, and mix just until combined.
- With wet hands, form into 12-15 meatballs, packing them tightly.
- In the same skillet over medium heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to heat up for 1 minute.
- Add the meatballs to sear 1-2 minutes on each side.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven to finish baking 15-20 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
To Make the Pumpkin Risotto
- Add the finely diced onion and olive oil to a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Sauté for 4-5 minutes.
- Add the arborio rice to cook for 1 minute.
- (Optional) Add the white wine. Stir until absorbed.
- Stir in 1 cup of the vegetable stock, stirring until liquid has been absorbed.
- Stir in the pumpkin puree.
- Continue to add the vegetable stock 1 cup at a time, stirring until absorbed, about 15-20 minutes.
- Add the fresh herbs and parmesan to stir in. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
To Assemble
- Serve the baked meatballs over the pumpkin risotto with more freshly grated parmesan. Enjoy warm with Vita Ice Lemon Lime for a complementary refreshment!