Add a flare of elegance to your summer soiree with these Chicken Meatballs served alongside a Sweet Sesame Gremolata!
Cecil Beaton once advised, “Be daring, be different, be impractical; be anything that will insert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers.”
This is a rule that every self-style artist, and online content creator, likes to imagine that they’re doing their utmost to follow.
To that point, I remember Bob Grant recounting a story of his very first encounter with a then up-and-coming Howard Stern. “Howard asked me for advice,” Mr. Grant explained, “and I was distantly familiar with his act, and I just had no idea what to tell him. So, I told him ‘Just be yourself.’ Because, let’s be honest, that is the best advice you can give anyone – it’s never the wrong thing to say.”
For myself, that means doing what I must to keep up with the ever-changing world of culinary entertainment, while also being as true to my roots as possible.
Take for example the ever-familiar gremolata. It’s a zippy green spread that pairs well with almost anything – especially if that ‘anything’ has even a vague grounding in Mediterranean cuisine, which is likely the reason that almost every culture that borders the Mediterranean has their own version of this green spread, albeit with the expected regional variants to account for local ingredients and customs.
While preparing this post, my son quipped that “You might want to be careful, or gremolata is going to be for you what chipotle was to an early 2000s Bobby Flay,” referencing the aforementioned chefs well-worn love affair with that particular species of pepper once upon a time.
Today’s incarnation of the typically zippy green spread features a base of toasted sesame seeds and chopped dried apricots, to which we add fresh cilantro, a generous helping of honey, garlic, fresh lime juice, and olive oil. Give that a few chops in a food processor. You’re going for the consistency of a coarse paste as pictured.
Now, to “lift the veil” ever so slightly, I admit that I prepared today’s chicken balls for a previous wine post, but decided against including them in the feature. The idea behind the wine post was a relaxed summer luncheon or light dinner party, as you can see from the pictures and plating, or perhaps as appetizers – for which purposes they are absolutely perfect.
Chicken Meatballs with Sweet Sesame Gremolata
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chicken Meatballs:
- 1 cup Italian style bread crumbs
- 2 1/2 lb. ground chicken
- 2 eggs
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 1 cup loose cilantro leaves - large stems removed
- 4 sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 2 tbs. fresh lime juice
- 2 tbs. olive oil
For the Gremolata:
- 1/4 cup sesame seed - gently toasted
- 1/2 cup dried apricots
- 1 bunch cilantro - stems removed
- 4 tbs. honey
- 3 cloves garlic
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- 2 tbs. olive oil
Instructions
For the Chicken Meatballs:
- Combine the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, cilantro, olive oil, lime juice and red pepper flakes in a food processor and give a few good chops.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the ground chicken, eggs, bread crumbs and the mixture from the food processor and mix together with your clean hands.
- Form into desired size chicken balls.
- Heat a large cast iron frying pan with 2 tbs. of olive oil.
- Add a few of the chicken balls, but Do Not overcrowd the pan. Cook the chicken balls turning as necessary to get a beautiful golden color on all sides.
- The cooking time depends on the size of the chicken balls, but they should be firm when gently pressed and the juices should run clear.
For the Gremolata:
- Heat a small cast iron frying pan and place the sesame seeds in the dry pan to gently toast. They should achieve a light golden color. This process should only take a minute or two. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In a food processor place the dried apricots, cilantro, honey, garlic cloves, lime juice and olive oil.
- Process until a desired consistency is achieved.
- Remove from the food processor and stir in the toasted sesame seeds.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
As for wine pairings, think something light and even a little sweet if you prefer. A crisp Chardonnay or fruity Rosé will complete the profile.
And that’s a wrap. Let me know down in the comments what you’re favorite summer-themed starters are, or if you prepared either of today’s recipes and how it turned out. We would absolutely love to hear from you.
Enjoy with Love!
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angiesrecipes says
I have to try that Gremolata with sesame! These meatballs look droolworthy.
DAVID J MYERS says
Hi Catherine, Those chicken meatballs sound and look good. I don't think that I've ever had gremolata of any sort. Intriguing combination... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Joanna says
I have never had gremolata before. It sounds like an interesting combination of flavours, but I don't like cilantro at all so if I was to make it, I would probably replace it with parsley.
Brianne says
I don't think I've ever had gremolata before. It sounds interesting, and I think that with the meatballs and a good wine pairing would make for a great evening.
Yeah Lifestyle says
My kids would certainly love these meatballs. They sound totally delicious. We always make time to try new recipes so I am going to be giving these a try, I think.
Jay says
This looks so good. I will have to make this for my family this week. Thanks for this recipe!
Cristina Petrini says
Meatballs are definitely my guilty plaesure make me happy! Yummy!
Claire Lee says
Sometimes making the food is more fun than eating, for me! Those meatballs looks yummy. I want to try making these at home!
Sonal says
My girls will love it. Thank you for posting
Rosey says
I've never made meatballs with chicken. What a great twist on a traditional dish.
Wren says
Those look delicious and easy enough to prepare. I am a sucker for good tasting easy foods! I will have to try this soon!
Annemarie LeBlanc says
This is a good recipe. I always alternate my meats when I make meatballs - pork, beef, and chicken. Chicken is leaner so it is a healthier choice!
Heather Barber McMechan says
I love the idea of chicken meatballs. Curious if our girls would like it. Worth giving these a try.
Jackline A says
Those meatballs look super tasty. Hoping to make this for dinner next week.
Lola Osinkolu says
This is just so mouth watering! Love the fresh colors of this gremolata!
Colleen D Milne says
We love meatballs for their versatility and that gremolata sounds divine! The chicken meatballs are a perfect vessel for so much flavour.
Kalyan Panja says
Thanks for sharing these helpful tips for those going to prepare meatballs. I would love to prepare them for a summer evening weekend party.
Sara says
What an incredibly interesting combination of flavors! I've attempted chicken meatballs before, but can never make them work for some reason. Definitely going to give them another go using your recipe! Of course the gremolata sounds AMAZING, so I will be making that for the first time, too!
Arya says
These look like the perfect alternative to my plain chicken breast grilled, so simple and tasty! Might definitely try them after my competition prep 😉
Myrah Duque says
O M G Now I'm hungry! This is deliciousness at its best! Interesting recipe, I've never heard of Gremolata.
Lindsey Pine says
I am absolutely loving this! I don't eat a lot of red meat, so really like that you used chicken. That gremolata sounds amazing too!
Jasmine Hewitt says
i havent tried making chicken meatballs. I should test this out!
Elaine Benoit says
Gremolata is new to me and I can't wait to try it! Your chicken meatballs look perfect and delicious and I bet the gremolata is heavenly with them.
Liz Shaw says
I have never made gremolata before but sounds delicious and love all the ingredients. Glad to see your recipe uses chicken instead of the traditional pork or beef. Can't wait to make it. Pinned
Marisa F. Stewart says
We love gremolata but our recipe is different than yours. Like pesto, I guess you can have a variety depending on what you want to put it on. The chicken meatballs look delicious and I bet the gremolata on top will really give them that extra zip. I'm saving the recipe.
Nicoletta De Angelis Nardelli says
What an awesome pair, gremolata and chicken meatballs! They would make a dinner my husband would devour in seconds 🙂 !
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen says
Loving the flavors you have going on in the chicken meatballs and that gremolata sounds so tasty! What an awesome combination!
Heather says
Loving all these flavors in this recipe. I think this would make a great appetizer to bring to girl's night. Can't wait to try!
Saima says
Chicken meatballs, I've had (duh), gremolata not. But I would make these meatballs just to eat them with this awesome gremolata because the two sound so heavenly together!
Anne Lawton says
These meatballs look fantastic and I love the addition of gremolata, a tasty combination!
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
These sound so delicious and your beautiful step-by-step photos and instructions make them look so easy. Can't wait to try them!