These Greek chicken meatballs are packed with fresh herbs and pair perfectly with zesty lemon orzo. Light and simple to make, they’re a great weeknight dinner or crowd-pleaser when served with toppings like feta, parsley, and lemon wedges.
Author:lina
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Total Time:40 minutes
Yield:4 people 1x
Category:Brunch, Dinner, Lunch
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Meatballs:
1 lb ground chicken (white meat is leaner; dark meat is juicier and more flavorful)
⅓ cup almond flour or ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
2 tsp fresh dill chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
¼ cup feta cheese crumbled
½ tbsp onion powder scallion, finely chopped or red onion
2 tsp dried oregano fresh oregano
1 tsp ground cumin
½ tsp salt
½ tsp freshly cracked pepper
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
For the Lemon Orzo:
1 cup orzo pasta
2 cups chicken broth
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Salt to taste
Instructions
In a bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients (use a rubber spatula or hands). Then form into 1½-2-inch meatballs. Salt the meatballs with a pinch of salt before searing.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear meatballs for 3-4 minutes until browned, then cover and cook 5-6 minutes until cooked through. Do not overcook, as they can become dry. Remove meatballs and set aside.
In the same skillet, bring chicken broth to a boil. Add orzo and cook for 8-10 minutes until tender.
Stir lemon juice and olive oil into the orzo.
Serve the orzo with meatballs and crumbled feta on top, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
Zest the Lemon Before Juicing: Zesting the lemon first makes it easier to get all the zest without dealing with the juice.
Adjust Lemon Flavor to Taste: If you prefer more lemon flavor, add extra lemon juice to the orzo right before serving.
Serve with Tzatziki: A side of tzatziki sauce pairs perfectly with the Greek flavors and adds a creamy, refreshing element.
Equipment: mixing bowl, large skillet with lid, small pot (optional), tongs or spatula, scoop or spoon, zester or grater, knife and cutting board.