Description
Savory Greek chicken meatballs dance with zesty tzatziki, bringing Mediterranean flavors to your plate. Fresh herbs, tangy yogurt, and perfectly seasoned meat create a delightful culinary journey you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground chicken
- 1/4 cup (60 grams) crumbled feta cheese
- 1 egg
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 cup (15 grams) chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup (15 grams) chopped fresh mint
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Binding and Base Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) finely chopped red onion
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet for even cooking and easy cleanup.
- Combine ground chicken with aromatics including red onion, garlic, and a blend of herbs like oregano, basil, parsley, mint, creating a fragrant and flavorful mixture.
- Incorporate breadcrumbs, feta cheese, and egg to bind the ingredients, ensuring the meatballs hold their shape during baking.
- Gently roll the mixture into uniform meatballs, arranging them on the prepared baking sheet with slight spacing between each one.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating the tray midway to promote even browning and ensure thorough cooking.
- While meatballs bake, craft the tzatziki sauce by grating cucumber and squeezing out excess moisture to prevent watery consistency.
- Blend Greek yogurt with minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, and a drizzle of olive oil to create a creamy, tangy tzatziki base.
- Season the tzatziki with salt and pepper, allowing flavors to meld while meatballs finish cooking.
- Remove meatballs from oven when golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
- Serve hot meatballs alongside the chilled tzatziki, garnishing with additional fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Drain grated cucumber thoroughly to prevent watery tzatziki, using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth to squeeze out excess moisture.
- Add extra herbs like dill or mint to boost the Mediterranean flavor profile and create a more complex taste.
- For gluten-free option, swap breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to maintain meatball texture.
- Enhance protein content by mixing ground chicken with ground turkey or lean ground lamb for a richer flavor variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 227 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg