Spiced Chicken Meatballs in Split Pea Pilaf

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Spray jelly roll pan with non-stick vegetable spray.

In medium bowl, blend together ground chicken, bread crumbs, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, 2 teaspoons salt and half (one-eighth cup) chopped parsley. Knead mixture with hands until it is smooth. Wet hands and form mixture into meatballs, each about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place meatballs on prepared jelly roll pan; bake in oven for 10 minutes.

In very large soup pot, warm olive oil over medium heat. Stir in onion; cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in split peas, chicken broth, apricots and walnuts. Gently stir in meatballs. Increase heat to high; bring broth to a boil. Cover pan; reduce heat to low.

Simmer for 30 minutes, until split peas are tender. Stir in remaining parsley, chives, mint, salt and pepper.