Description
Succulent Greek chicken meatballs showcase Mediterranean flavors with herbed ground chicken, garlic, and zesty spices. Served with tzatziki sauce and warm pita, this dish offers a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor to the last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground chicken
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Tzatziki sauce
- Lemon wedges
- Greek salad or pita bread
Instructions
- Preheating: Configure oven to 400F (200C) and line baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease surface.
- Meatball Composition: Merge ground chicken, breadcrumbs, feta, egg, garlic, parsley, dill, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, and lemon zest into a unified mixture. Blend ingredients gently to maintain protein’s delicate texture, avoiding excessive mixing.
- Shaping and Positioning: Craft uniform spherical meatballs using tablespoon or cookie scoop, forming consistent 1 1/2-inch diameter portions. Arrange meatballs compactly on prepared baking surface with minimal spacing between each.
- Roasting: Transfer tray to preheated oven, roasting meatballs for 18-20 minutes until exterior achieves golden-brown hue and internal temperature reaches 165F (74C), guaranteeing thorough protein preparation.
- Serving: Plate Mediterranean-style meatballs alongside cooling tzatziki, zesty lemon wedges, and crisp Greek salad. Optional: Tuck protein spheres into soft pita bread for a portable, authentic Greek culinary experience.
Notes
- Prevent Tough Meatballs: Mix ingredients gently and avoid overworking the chicken mixture to maintain a tender, light texture.
- Moisture Management: Add extra breadcrumbs if the mixture seems too wet, ensuring the meatballs hold their shape during baking.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm the 165F internal temperature, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked chicken.
- Flavor Boost: Let meatballs rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow juices to redistribute, enhancing overall taste and succulence.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg