Skillet Turkey Meatballs with Lemon Rice
User Reviews
4.6
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Skillet Turkey Meatballs with Lemon Rice
Description
The recipe forms meatballs from a mixture of ground turkey, milk, bread crumbs, fresh lemon zest, salt, black pepper, and chopped parsley. These meatballs are browned in olive oil to develop a golden crust while remaining undercooked inside. The skillet is then used to toast the rice, garlic, and salt briefly to enhance flavor and texture, before adding chicken broth, lemon juice, and additional lemon zest to create a fragrant cooking liquid. Meatballs are gently nestled into the simmering rice mixture to finish cooking through as the rice absorbs the lemony broth.
The Parmesan cheese folded into the cooked rice adds creaminess and umami depth, complementing the bright lemon notes. The resultant dish offers a pleasing contrast between the flavorful, moist turkey meatballs and the zesty, tender rice base. Fresh lemon in both meatballs and rice ties the flavors together distinctly.
This skillet meal can be served as a complete main dish, with optional lemon wedges to enhance the citrus aroma further. While the recipe uses white rice, slight adjustments can be made if substituting brown rice, such as increasing liquid and cooking time. Ground turkey quality impacts the meatball texture, with lean, fresh ground meat preferred for best results.
Depending on the salt level of your chicken broth, adjust seasoning accordingly to balance flavor. Leftovers reheat well, retaining moisture and lemon brightness.
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 ½ pounds ground turkey
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ¼ cup bread crumbs panko, regular storebought or homemade
- 1 ½ teaspoons lemon zest fresh
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped, fresh
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Rice:
- 1 ½ cups long grain white rice or basmati white rice
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced or pressed through a garlic press
- ¾ teaspoon salt plus more to taste if needed
- 3 ¼ cups chicken broth low-sodium
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 ½ teaspoons lemon zest fresh
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
Instructions
- For the meatballs, in a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, milk, bread crumbs, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and parsley until well-combined. Roll into about 16 meatballs (about 1-2 inches in diameter).
- Heat the tablespoon olive oil in a large 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot and rippling. Add the meatballs in a single layer and brown on each side. No need to cook through here as they will finish cooking with the rice - just get them nice and golden.
- Carefully scoop the meatballs out of the skillet onto a paper towel-lined plate and return the skillet to medium heat (wiping out any excess grease - leaving just a tiny bit for the rice).
- Add the rice to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the edges of the rice start to turn translucent. Add the garlic and salt and cook for another minute. Stir in the broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Gently nestle the meatballs back into the rice mixture and cover the skillet. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the rice is tender and the meatballs are cooked through, about 18-20 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 or so minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with Parmesan and additional fresh parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh lemons for zest and juice, about two medium lemons, for noticeable citrus flavor.
- Brown rice can be substituted with an increase in liquid and longer cooking time, though this recipe uses white rice.
- Choose quality lean ground turkey packaged in trays to avoid a mushy texture in meatballs.
- Serve lemon wedges alongside for extra citrus punch.
- Adjust salt if your chicken broth already contains sodium, to taste.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 Serving | |
| Calories | 393kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 43g | 14% |
| Protein | 36g | 72% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 68mg | 23% |
| Sodium | 753mg | 31% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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