Vodka Sauce Chicken Meatballs

Ingredients 

Meatballs

• 1 lb ground chicken

• 1/2 cup cottage cheese

• 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

• Olive oil, for cooking

  Vodka Sauce

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tbsp butter

• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

• 1/2 cup vodka

• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

  For serving

• Grated Parmesan

• Red pepper flakes

• Fresh basil

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Directions

1. Add the ground chicken, cottage cheese, panko, Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper to a bowl. Mix gently until just combined.

2. Roll into meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches each.

3. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until golden on all sides and completely cooked through to 165°F, about 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer the meatballs to a serving plate.

4. In the same skillet, add the olive oil, butter and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30 seconds.

5. Add the vodka and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.

6. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and simmer for about 5 minutes.

7. Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan until the sauce is creamy and smooth.

8. Spoon the warm vodka sauce generously over the cooked meatballs.

9. Finish with more grated Parmesan, red pepper flakes and fresh basil.

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