You should know that for me, adhering to weekly food quantities is almost a mantra to follow scrupulously, except for extraordinary exceptions! Adding moderate portions of chicken or turkey to the diet is certainly a healthy way to meet everyone’s protein needs, so this week I show you how to enjoy chicken in an absolutely unusual and tasty way! It is a truly appetizing main course, which consists of balls made with chicken breasts, avocado, and a few other ingredients! They are presented in a larger format than usual meatballs, but this is just my quirk, it doesn’t change much the size you decide to give them, except for the cooking times! They are prepared very quickly, by adding all the ingredients in a food processor, after cooking the white meat in vegetable broth. I baked them once prepared, but if you prefer, there’s nothing stopping you from frying them! They will be perfect for a light and healthy lunch or even as a finger food to present on the table accompanied by sauces and dressings that can enhance their flavor and make them even more appealing to your children!
Source: [ from the blog Foodquood with my personal modifications ].
If white meat is your passion, here are some other original and appetizing ideas to enjoy it at its best:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Affordable
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 4 servings
- Cooking methods: Electric oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Winter, Spring
Ingredients:
- 1.1 lbs chicken breasts
- 1 avocado
- 1/4 cup cream cheese
- 1 carrot
- 1 stalk celery
- 1 onion
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup fine cornmeal
- as needed all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 lemon zest (untreated)
- 1/2 lemon juice
- 1 bunch parsley
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- as needed salt
- as needed pepper
- 1 cup cup Greek yogurt
- 1 cucumber
- A few drops lemon juice
- 1 tbsp mustard (or 1 tsp of mustard powder)
- as needed salt
- as needed pepper
Tools
⚠ THIS RECIPE CONTAINS ONE OR MORE AFFILIATE LINKS. The products I recommend are the same ones I use in my recipes; purchasing them through my blog helps support me and my work, while costing you nothing extra!
- 1 Pot
- 1 Food processor
- 1 Baking tray
- 1 Parchment paper
- 3 Bowls
- 1 Knife
- 1 Spoon
- 1 Fork
Steps
Start by preparing your vegetable broth in a saucepan, with celery, onion, and carrot. Add the chicken breasts and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 8-10 minutes.
Once cooked, transfer them to a food processor along with the avocado, previously peeled and pitted, the lemon juice and zest.
Also add the salt, pepper, cream cheese, and olive oil.
Finally, add the paprika and parsley.
Blend the mixture until you get a soft but rather compact consistency. If the mixture is not firm enough, you can add a spoonful of breadcrumbs, but don’t overdo it as they will firm up in the next stage.
In a separate bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the fine cornmeal.
In a second bowl, with the help of a fork, prepare a beaten egg mixture with Parmesan and a pinch of salt.
In a third bowl, pour some flour and, after taking portions of the mixture with slightly damp hands and forming balls slightly larger than a walnut, dip them in the flour and coat them on all sides, shaking off the excess.
Then pass them in the egg mixture.
Finally, in the bread coating and roll them to adhere on every part.
Transfer the balls onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper, drizzle the tops with a little oil, and cook at 375°F for 25 minutes, then turn them over and continue cooking for another 5 minutes or until golden
I served them slightly warm with a mixed seasonal salad and a fresh and tasty yogurt and cucumber sauce by blending all the ingredients listed in the recipe.
And voilà… your chicken and avocado balls are ready to be enjoyed!
Bon Appétit from La Cucina di FeFè!
Storage
👉 You can store chicken and avocado balls in the refrigerator in suitable containers for 1-2 days.
Tips and Suggestions
🟣 You can replace, if you prefer, the chicken breasts with turkey and the cream cheese with ricotta, or another fresh cheese like certosa, robiola, or mascarpone as in the original recipe.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
What to do for a gluten-free version?
Simply replace the breadcrumbs with more cornmeal (fioretto) or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
