Baked Sage Chicken Meatballs with Parmesan Orzo

Name: Baked Sage Chicken Meatballs with Parmesan Orzo
Cuisine: European, Italian, Mediterranean
Ingredients: 2 oz fresh italian bread, diced; ½ cup warm water; 2 tbsp butter; 1 shallot, minced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tsp granulated garlic; ¼ tsp crushed red pepper; 1 ½ lbs ground chicken thigh; ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese; 2 tbsp chopped fresh sage; 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley; ½ tsp kosher salt; 8 sage leaves; 1 shallot, thinly sliced; 1 cup orzo; ½ cup dry white wine; 1 small handful fresh thyme sprigs, tied in kitchen twine; 2 cups chicken stock; ⅓ cup heavy cream; 2 oz fresh spinach (approximately 2 cups); ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving; freshly cracked black pepper