Description
These Greek Chicken Meatballs with Homemade Tzatziki combine tender, flavorful ground chicken meatballs seasoned with fresh herbs and lemon zest, served alongside a creamy, refreshing tzatziki sauce made from Greek yogurt and cucumber. Perfect as a healthy and easy Mediterranean-inspired main dish, these meatballs can be cooked on the stovetop or baked, delivering juicy, aromatic bites every time.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, red onion, garlic, chopped dill, parsley, oregano, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough meatballs. Form the mixture into 16 small, evenly sized meatballs.
- Cook the meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs carefully and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown on all sides and reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Alternatively, arrange the meatballs on a lined baking sheet and bake them at 400°F (200°C) for 15 to 18 minutes until cooked through.
- Prepare the tzatziki sauce: In a small bowl, mix the Greek yogurt with grated cucumber (squeezed dry), minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, chopped dill, and salt. Stir well, then taste and adjust the seasoning to preference. Chill the sauce until ready to serve.
- Serve: Plate the warm meatballs with a side of homemade tzatziki sauce. These meatballs are delicious served over rice or tucked into pita bread with fresh veggies for a complete Mediterranean meal.
Notes
- These meatballs freeze well before cooking or after cooking, making them great for meal prep.
- You can substitute ground turkey or beef if preferred, but keep seasoning quantities the same.
- For a spicy twist, add a pinch of chili flakes to the tzatziki sauce.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
