High Protein Arancini

Elevate your appetizer game with these High Protein Arancini—a delightful twist on the classic Italian favorite. Packed with nutrient-dense quinoa, lean ground chicken, and a gooey mozzarella center, these crispy, golden-brown bites are a guilt-free indulgence perfect for health-conscious foodies. Whole wheat breadcrumbs provide a wholesome crunch while fresh parsley and grated parmesan add a burst of savory flavor. These arancini are not only protein-packed but also irresistibly satisfying, making them the ultimate snack, appetizer, or party dish. Ready in just over an hour, serve them hot with your favorite dipping sauce for a crowd-pleasing treat that hits the trifecta of flavor, texture, and nutrition.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 0.5 pound lean ground chicken
• 0.5 cup onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.5 cup mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
• 1 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups canola oil for frying

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add the quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed.

Step 3

Remove the quinoa from the heat and let it sit, covered, for another 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and transfer to a large mixing bowl to cool slightly.

Step 4

While the quinoa is cooking, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the lean ground chicken, onion, and garlic. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the chicken is no longer pink and the onion is soft, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 5

Add the cooked chicken mixture to the cooked quinoa. Mix in the parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese, eggs, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Place a small amount of the quinoa mixture in your hand, form a well in the center, and stuff with a cube of mozzarella cheese. Mold the quinoa mixture around the cheese to form a ball. Repeat with remaining mixture and cheese.

Step 7

Spread the breadcrumbs on a plate. Roll each quinoa ball in the breadcrumbs to coat evenly.

Step 8

In a deep skillet or saucepan, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking (about 350°F).

Step 9

Carefully drop the balls into the oil, a few at a time, and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 10

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the arancini to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Serve hot, with your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1921 grams (1921.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6267

Total Fat 557.00g	714%
Saturated Fat 68.00g	340%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 699mg	233%
Sodium 6140mg	267%
Total Carbohydrate 193.30g	70%
Dietary Fiber 16.20g	58%
Total Sugars 13.50g
Protein 136.60g	273%

Vitamin D 80IU	400%
Calcium 1435mg	110%
Iron 20mg	112%
Potassium 1903mg	40%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 79.2%

Protein: 8.6%

Carbs: 12.2%