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Healthy Crispy Air Fryer Spinach Chicken Balls

Healthy Crispy Air Fryer Spinach Chicken Balls - featured image
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These Healthy Crispy Air Fryer Spinach Chicken Balls are quick, easy, and deliver a crispy exterior with a tender, flavorful spinach chicken center. Perfect for family meals, potlucks, or snacks with a healthy twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground chicken (lean or regular)
  • 2 cups fresh spinach (60 g), finely chopped and squeezed dry
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely diced (optional)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
  • ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs (75 g)
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • Olive oil spray

Instructions

  1. Rinse 2 cups (60 g) of fresh spinach thoroughly. Finely chop it, then place in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much water as possible to prevent soggy chicken balls. (5 minutes)
  2. Optional: In a small pan over medium heat, add a touch of olive oil and cook 1 small finely diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Let cool slightly. (5 minutes)
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 lb (450 g) ground chicken, chopped spinach, sautéed onion and garlic (if using), ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan, ¾ cup (75 g) panko breadcrumbs, 1 beaten large egg, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper. Mix gently until well combined but avoid overmixing. (5 minutes)
  4. Using your hands, form about 16 evenly sized balls, roughly 1.5 inches (4 cm) in diameter. Place them on a baking sheet or plate. (5 minutes)
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
  6. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Arrange the chicken balls in a single layer, leaving space between each one. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping halfway through to brown evenly. Ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). (15 minutes)
  7. Let the chicken balls rest for 3-5 minutes before serving to keep them juicy inside.

Notes

Squeeze out excess moisture from spinach to avoid soggy chicken balls. Use panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch. Preheat the air fryer for best results. Flip halfway through cooking for even browning. Avoid overmixing the meat to keep texture tender. Adjust cooking time based on ball size. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or substitute with nutritional yeast. For vegetarian/vegan, use plant-based ground meat and flaxseed egg substitute.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken balls, spinach chicken balls, healthy chicken recipe, crispy chicken balls, easy chicken snacks, gluten-free chicken balls, low carb chicken balls

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/healthy-crispy-air-fryer-spinach-chicken-balls-recipe-easy-and-perfect/