Description
These Greek Chicken Meatballs are a flavorful and easy-to-make dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Packed with aromatic herbs like dill and mint, and spices such as cumin and oregano, these juicy meatballs are pan-fried to a golden brown and served with refreshing tzatziki sauce, fresh vegetables, and feta cheese for a wholesome Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 2 pounds ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for frying
For Serving
- Chopped romaine lettuce
- Feta cheese, for serving
- Cucumber
- Tomato
- White rice
- Tzatziki sauce
Instructions
- Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, salt, black pepper, ground cumin, ground oregano, red pepper flakes, chopped fresh dill, chopped fresh mint, finely diced red onion, minced garlic, and lemon zest. Use your hands to gently but thoroughly mix all ingredients together until well combined.
- Form the Meatballs: Using a cookie dough scoop or a tablespoon, portion out the chicken mixture and roll each portion into a meatball shape with your hands. Set the formed meatballs aside on a plate or tray.
- Heat the Skillet: Place a large skillet over medium heat and add one tablespoon of olive oil. Allow the oil to heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Cook the Meatballs: Add the meatballs to the hot skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan—cook in batches if necessary. Fry the meatballs for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, turning carefully to brown all sides evenly. Continue cooking until the meatballs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Arrange the cooked meatballs over a bed of chopped romaine lettuce. Accompany with crumbled feta cheese, sliced cucumber, chopped tomato, a scoop of white rice, and a generous serving of tzatziki sauce. Enjoy your delicious Greek-inspired chicken meatballs!
Notes
- You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or lean ground beef if preferred.
- For a lighter option, bake the meatballs at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes until fully cooked, turning halfway through.
- Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee the meatballs are safely cooked.
- Fresh herbs make a big difference in flavor; avoid dried substitutes if possible.
- Serve leftovers within 3 days and store refrigerated in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Greek
