Published 9/4/2023 Made primarily in one pot, these Italian chicken meatballs cooked in a creamy Tuscan sauce are something special the whole family will love. We’ve all heard of (and hopefully tried) Tuscan chicken, but what about Tuscan chicken meatballs? This great recipe is a delicious spin on the Italian classic, allowing you to enjoy your favorite flavors but in meatball form! And guess what? It’s made conveniently all in one Dutch oven (+ a pot of water to boil pasta) for efficient cooking and easy cleanup. How is it made? Start by cooking your pasta until al dente. Then it’s time to prep and cook your Tuscan meatballs before making the tasty tomato sauce. Let everything get friendly with each other for a while, and your one-pot meal is complete!
What You Need to Make Tuscan Chicken Meatballs
Pasta: we used Orecchiette pasta for this recipe, but feel free to use your favorite pasta. Italian-style breadcrumbs: this is what gets the meatballs nice and crispy on the outside. Spinach: spinach adds color and flavor to the dish. Dry white wine: any dry white wine will do. Use your favorite go-to. Veggies: white onion and bell pepper are the veggies we used to make this meal more substantial. Tomato paste: this gives this dish the signature tomato taste in Tuscan chicken. Starchy pasta water: it’s very important that the water used is starchy pasta water. The starch will help thicken the sauce. Dutch oven: using a Dutch oven will decrease the cooking time and ensure it comes out super flavorful.
Variations and Substitutions
Pasta: We recommend using a smaller pasta noodle like farfalle, macaroni, or cavatappi.
Meatball Recipes
Turkey Meatballs Italian Meatballs Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Meatball Appetizer
Chicken: You’re welcome to swap out the lean ground chicken with ground turkey to make turkey meatballs. Breadcrumbs: Other great breadcrumb options are plain or panko. You might want to add Italian seasoning to these. Bell Pepper: Replace the bell pepper with other veggies like carrots or mushrooms.
Storage + Freezer Directions
Store any leftover Tuscan chicken meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days. One-Pot Za’atar Meatballs and Quinoa
To freez
We recommend freezing the meatballs on their own without the sauce or noodles. Here’s how: To thaw & serve: let the meatballs thaw in the freezer overnight. Reheat them on the stovetop over medium heat in a little olive oil until hot.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy Tuscan chicken recipe is one of those dishes that’ll taste delicious with just about anything. We love how the sauce tastes dipped with our Skillet Cornbread or paired with a side salad like this Apple Burrata Salad, Herby Cucumber Tomato Salad, and Arugula Salad. Dutch Oven Feeling parched for something boozy and blissful? Try our Hibiscus Arnold Palmer Drink, White Wine Spritzer, or Blackberry Moscow Mule.
