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Rachel Orban

Lemon Calamansi Chicken Meatball Pasta

A Filipino twist on a citrus pasta dish. A mix of lemon and calamansi in a chicken meatball pasta recipe.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Filipino, Italian
Calories: 502
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Citrus Chicken Meatballs
  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • ½ lemon juice and zest
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 finely chopped green onion
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp chopped parsley
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • oil for searing
Lemon Calamansi Pasta
  • 12 oz pasta of choice
  • ½ lemon juice and zest
  • 1 tsp calamansi concentrate mixed with 2 tbsp of water can also use 3 tbsp of fresh calamansi juice
  • 1 tsbp minced garlic
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • ¼ cup half and half or heavy cream
  • 1 finely chopped green onion or chives
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

Citrus Chicken Meatballs
  1. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, bread crumbs, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, green onion, parsley, salt, and pepper.
  2. Mix until just combined, then shape into meatballs using a cookie scooper or your hands.
  3. Heat oil in a skillet and pan-sear the meatballs until golden brown and cooked through (about 4–5 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
Lemon Calamansi Pasta
  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large pan, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant. Stir in cornstarch.
  3. Slowly whisk in parmesan cheese, chicken broth, lemon juice, calamansi concentrate, lemon zest, and green onions. Simmer gently.
  4. Add parsley, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted.
  5. For creaminess, add half-and-half or heavy cream and let simmer until slightly thickened.
  6. Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Gently fold in the citrus chicken meatballs, and garnish with extra parsley and parmesan cheese. serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

  1. For meal prep, store meatballs and pasta separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
  2. For a lighter option, skip the cream and keep it as a citrus-broth-based sauce.