Chicken Meatballs in Smoky Cheese Sauce

Ingredients

• Meatballs:
• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• 1 onion, grated
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated and divided
• 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 tablespoon parsley, chopped
• Sauce:
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup smoked gouda cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup gruyere cheese, grated
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne

Preparation

1. Place ground chicken, Italian bread crumbs, egg, onion, garlic powder, 1/2 parmesan cheese (1 tablespoon), and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Use your hands to mix everything until just combined. Roll into 1 1/2 inch thick balls, (roughly the size of a golf ball).
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully add the meatballs and cook until brown on all sides. Test for doneness by breaking one in half with a spatula or wooden spoon.
3. When meat is cooked all the way through (no longer pink), transfer to a large serving bowl, cover with foil and set aside.
4. Melt butter in a medium saucepan on medium-low heat. Stir in flour to make a roux. Continue stirring until it turns a pale brown color and remove from heat. Stir in milk, a little at a time, until smooth.
5. Place the saucepan on low heat and add smoked gouda, gruyere, nutmeg and cayenne. Stir constantly until cheese is fully melted, then remove from heat.
6. Remove foil from meatballs and pour cheese sauce over them. Use a large serving spoon to gently coat each meatball with sauce.
7. Sprinkle in remaining parmesan cheese (1 tablespoon), garnish with chopped parsley and serve!