Greek Chicken Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe
These Greek Chicken Meatballs are a flavorful and healthy twist on a classic favorite, featuring fragrant herbs like parsley and dill, lemon zest, and a tender ground chicken base. Baked to perfection and served with a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce made from Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and fresh dill, this dish offers a delicious and easy-to-make meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (about 16 meatballs) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and drained
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp chopped dill
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, chopped red onion, parsley, dill, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until all ingredients are just incorporated to avoid overworking the meat.
- Form the meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs by rolling portions of the mixture between your palms. Place them evenly spaced on a parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Bake the meatballs: Drizzle the meatballs with olive oil to encourage browning. Then bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are golden brown and cooked through with no pink remaining inside.
- Make the tzatziki sauce: While the meatballs are baking, prepare the sauce by mixing Greek yogurt, grated and well-drained cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, chopped dill, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Chill the tzatziki in the refrigerator until ready to serve to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve: Present the meatballs warm alongside the chilled tzatziki sauce for dipping, or drizzle the tzatziki over the meatballs for a creamy, tangy complement.
Notes
- Make sure to drain the grated cucumber well to avoid watery tzatziki.
- Ground chicken can be substituted with ground turkey if preferred.
- Breadcrumbs help bind the meatballs but can be replaced with gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option.
- Let the meatballs rest a few minutes after baking for juicier texture.
- Fresh herbs like parsley and dill are key to authentic Greek flavor; dried herbs can be used in a pinch but fresh is recommended.
Keywords: Greek chicken meatballs, tzatziki sauce, baked meatballs, healthy chicken recipes, Mediterranean food, Greek appetizers, easy dinner recipes
