Jar-Cooked Lemon Chicken Meatballs with Leeks

Chicken Meatballs in Jar Cooking
Category: Main Dishes
Serves: 4

A delightful and unique way to prepare chicken meatballs, this recipe uses jar cooking to preserve flavors and moisture while creating a savory, perfectly tender meal. The chicken is seasoned with fragrant herbs and cheese, and the meatballs cook directly in jars for an effortless, one-pot experience that’s ideal for busy weeknights or impressive dinner gatherings.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Leeks: Begin by washing and prepping the leeks. Cut off the root ends and discard them. Slice the leeks into rounds and rinse them under cold water to remove any dirt or grit.

2. Preheat the Jars: Divide the sliced leeks into four 500ml jars. Drizzle a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil into each jar, spreading it evenly over the leeks. Microwave each jar on high (750 watts) for 1 minute to soften the leeks and lightly sauté them.

3. Prepare the Meatball Mixture: While the leeks cook, place the breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, grated Grana Padano, and the peeled garlic clove into a food processor. Pulse until the ingredients are well combined. Set this mixture aside.

4. Mix the Chicken Meatballs: In a large mixing bowl, add the ground chicken. Crack in the eggs, and add the breadcrumb mixture along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Zest the lemon directly into the bowl for a refreshing citrus note. Use your hands to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.

5. Form the Meatballs: Wet your hands with a little water and roll the chicken mixture into meatballs about the size of a walnut. You should be able to form around 20 meatballs in total.

6. Assemble the Jars: Once the leeks are softened and slightly cooked in the jars, carefully add 4-5 meatballs to each jar, placing them on top of the leeks. Squeeze the juice of the lemon into each jar for a burst of citrus flavor.

7. Seal and Cook the Meatballs: Secure the lids onto the jars with the provided clasps. Place one jar in the microwave at 750 watts and cook for 5 minutes. Let the jar rest for 15 minutes to allow the cooking process to complete and the jar to form a vacuum seal. Repeat the cooking process with the remaining jars.

8. Reheat and Serve: When ready to serve, simply unclip the jar lids and place the jar back into the microwave for 3 minutes at 750 watts to warm the meatballs. Enjoy your tender, flavorful chicken meatballs!

Nutritional Information (per serving):

These chicken meatballs cooked in jars offer a healthy, flavorful, and visually appealing meal that’s sure to impress. The combination of tender chicken, the slight crunch of the leeks, and the hint of lemon creates a harmonious dish, perfect for any occasion. Enjoy with a side of salad or crusty bread for a complete meal!