Description
This Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo recipe offers a flavorful Mediterranean-inspired dish, combining tender baked chicken meatballs infused with fresh herbs and lemon zest, paired with a bright and creamy lemon orzo enriched with feta cheese and fresh parsley. It’s a wholesome and easy-to-make meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Meatballs
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Zest of 1 lemon
Lemon Orzo
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Prepare Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, finely chopped red onion, minced garlic, egg, chopped fresh parsley, dried oregano, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Form Meatballs: Using clean hands, shape the mixture into 1-inch diameter meatballs. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet to ensure even cooking.
- Bake Meatballs: Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), indicating they are fully cooked.
- Cook Orzo: While the meatballs bake, bring the vegetable or chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan. Add the orzo pasta and cook for about 8–10 minutes, until al dente according to package instructions.
- Combine Orzo: Drain any excess broth from the cooked orzo and return it to the saucepan. Drizzle with olive oil, then stir in the crumbled feta cheese, chopped parsley, fresh lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
- Serve: Remove the baked meatballs from the oven and serve them alongside the lemon orzo. Garnish with extra fresh parsley and lemon wedges if desired. Enjoy your fresh and flavorful Greek-inspired meal!
Notes
- You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey if preferred.
- For gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour.
- Make sure not to overmix the meatball mixture to keep them tender.
- Leftover meatballs and orzo can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Adding a side of steamed vegetables or a Greek salad complements this dish nicely.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Keywords: Greek chicken meatballs, lemon orzo, baked meatballs, Mediterranean recipe, healthy chicken meatballs, easy dinner recipe
