Creamy Chicken Meatball Soup Comfort in a Bowl

Ingredients

• 1 lb (454g) ground chicken
• 1/4 cup (25g) breadcrumbs (plain or Italian seasoned)
• 1/4 cup (20g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups (1.4 liters) chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt
• pepper
• 1 cup (100g) small pasta (ditalini, orzo, or elbow macaroni)
• 3/4 cup (180ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
• 2 cups (50g) baby spinach