Ginger lemongrass chicken meatballs and bok choy in miso broth make for a light, healthy and seriously satisfying soup. Bursting with flavor, this soup is the perfect way to cozy up and stay warm!
Make the Meatballs: In a large bowl combine the chicken, panko, minced garlic, soy sauce, grated ginger, half the scallions, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, lemon grass, cilantro and 2 tablespoons of broth. Use your hands or a rubber spatula to gently mix, just until combined. Use your hands to scoop out about a tablespoon and form mixture into (1’’-diameter) meatballs. Transfer to a plate or clean work surface lined with parchment paper. Repeat until all meatballs are formed.
Make the Miso: In a medium pot over medium heat, combine remaining broth, water, Thai chili, smashed garlic, shallot, sliced ginger, 1 tablespoon fish sauce and remaining scallions. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove solids and discard. In a small bowl combine miso with 2 tablespoons of the broth and whisk to combine. Add the miso mixture to the pot of broth. Stir to combine.
While the broth mixture simmers, brown the meatballs: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add meatballs to skillet (in batches if necessary to not overcrowd the pan) and cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Remove and transfer to a clean plate. (NOTE: Don't worry about cooking the meatballs through, you are just browning the outsides!)
Add to the broth mixture: Add the bok choy and crushed red pepper flakes to the broth. Simmer until bok choy is almost tender, about 3 minutes.
Add the meatballs & cook: Add the browned meatballs to the broth mixture and bring the broth back to a simmer. Simmer until meatballs are cooked through, about 5-8 minutes. Taste broth and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper.
Serve: Garnish the soup with scallions, soy sauce and/or crushed red pepper to taste. Enjoy!
Notes
Do NOT use ground ALL chicken breast. Use ground chicken (with both white and dark meat) for a more flavorful, juicy meatball.
You can use either red or white miso. I used red.
You can let the broth gently simmer for longer than 15 minutes if needed while you cook the meatballs. The longer it simmers the more flavorful it will be.
Yield: about 22 meatballs
Nutritional information is an approximation based upon 4 servings. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.