Herby Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Lemon Orzo & Tenderstem Broccoli

Boil a kettle

Peel and finely dice your brown onion[s]

Strip your mint leaves from their stems and finely chop them, discard the stems

Chop your parsley finely, including the stalks

Zest your lemon[s] (try to grate lightly with a micro-plane or sharp box grater and avoid grating the white pith, as this is very bitter)

Combine your chicken mince, lemon zest and half the chopped parsley & mint with a pinch of salt and pepper in a bowl

Give everything a good mix up until thoroughly combined (clean hands are the best way!)

Divide and shape into meatballs (5 per person!) – these are your herby meatballs

Tip: Use wet hands to make it easier!

Heat a large, wide-based pan (preferably non-stick, with a matching lid) over a high heat with a drizzle of olive oil

Once hot, add the meatballs to the pan and cook for 2 min on each side or until lightly browned

Tip: Cooking for 3 or more? Use 2 pans!

Once browned, set aside on a plate, reserve the pan

Peel and finely chop (or grate) your garlic

Wash your spinach then add to a colander and pour boiled water all over it so that it starts to wilt

Rinse the wilted spinach under cold running water until it's cool

Once cool, squeeze as much water out of the spinach as you can

Return the reserved pan to a medium-high heat

Once hot, add the diced onion and chopped garlic and cook for 2 min or until starting to soften

Once slightly softened, add your orzo, 500ml [650ml] [1L] boiled water, your chicken stock mix and the browned meatballs with a pinch of salt and bring to the boil over a high heat

Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, covered, for 12-15 min or until the orzo is tender and the meatballs are cooked through (no pink meat!)

Tip: Stir the orzo occasionally to stop it from sticking

Once the orzo is tender and the meatballs are cooked, add the your soft cheese with the wilted spinach

Give everything a good mix up – this is your one pan herby meatballs with creamy lemon orzo