Quick Smoky Cottage Cheese BBQ Chicken Bowl Recipe

Whipping up a mouthwatering BBQ chicken bowl with cottage cheese promises a flavor explosion that’ll revolutionize your weeknight dinner routine.

Succulent chicken pieces marry perfectly with tangy barbecue sauce and creamy dairy goodness.

Protein-packed ingredients create a balanced meal in minutes.

Incredibly simple techniques make this recipe achievable for home cooks of all skill levels.

Each bite delivers a delightful mix of savory and zesty notes that dance across your palate.

Nutritious and satisfying, this bowl turns ordinary ingredients into something spectacular.

You’ll want to savor every single delectable spoonful of this quick and delicious creation.

What Makes BBQ Chicken Cottage Bowl So Easy

Quick Preparation Magic: Whip up this delicious meal in just 30 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without spending hours in the kitchen.

Protein-Packed Flavor Burst: Greek-style chicken meatballs loaded with feta and herbs deliver a protein-rich punch while keeping the dish light and nutritious, satisfying hunger without feeling heavy.

Mediterranean Mood Maker: Transform your ordinary dinner into a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired experience with bright ingredients like lemon, fresh herbs, and classic Greek components that transport your taste buds to sunny coastal regions.

Customizable Comfort: Easily adapt the bowl by swapping ingredients or adding personal favorites – vegetarians can substitute chicken with plant-based alternatives, making this recipe wonderfully flexible for different dietary preferences.

Cottage Cheese BBQ Chicken Bowl Components

• Ground Chicken: Lean protein base for creating flavorful meatballs, choose fresh and not too fatty.
• Egg: Binding agent that helps hold the meatballs together, ensures a perfect texture.
• Feta Cheese: Adds tangy Mediterranean flavor and creamy texture to meatballs and orzo.

• Parsley, Fresh Herbs: Provides fresh, bright flavor and green color to the dish.
• Oregano: Classic Greek herb that adds earthy and slightly peppery taste.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Delivers subtle, balanced background flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall taste.

• Breadcrumbs: Helps bind meatballs and provides light, crispy texture.
• Olive Oil: Used for cooking meatballs and sautéing garlic, adds rich Mediterranean touch.
• Chicken Broth: Provides liquid and flavor for cooking orzo.
• Orzo: Pasta that serves as a light, quick-cooking base for the bowl.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Adds bright, citrusy freshness to the dish.
• Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber, Olives: Fresh ingredients that provide color, texture, and Mediterranean character.

Cottage Cheese BBQ Chicken Bowl Assembly Guide

Step 1: Craft Greek Chicken Meatballs

• Breadcrumbs
• Egg
• Feta cheese
• Parsley
• Oregano
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Pepper

Blend everything thoroughly until the mixture feels evenly incorporated and cohesive.

Shape the mixture into delightful one-inch round meatballs using gentle rolling motions.

Step 2: Sizzle Meatballs

Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Carefully place meatballs into the pan, rotating occasionally.

Cook for 8-10 minutes until they develop a gorgeous golden-brown exterior and reach a safe internal temperature.

Step 3: Prepare Zesty Lemon Orzo

Bring chicken broth to a rolling boil in a saucepan.

Add orzo and cook following package directions.

Drain excess liquid if needed.

Step 4: Elevate Orzo Flavor

In the same pot, drizzle olive oil over medium-low heat.

Quickly sauté minced garlic for about 30 seconds.

• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Oregano
• Salt
• Pepper

Remove from heat and gently fold in feta cheese and fresh herbs.

Step 5: Create Delicious Bowl

Layer lemon orzo into serving bowls.

Arrange Greek chicken meatballs on top.

• Cherry tomatoes
• Cucumber
• Olives
• Extra feta
• Fresh herbs

Finish with a refreshing squeeze of lemon juice.

BBQ Chicken Bowl with Cottage Cheese Tips

• Wet your hands with water to prevent chicken mixture from sticking and ensure uniform, smooth meatball shapes that cook evenly.
• Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or ground flaxseed for a gluten-free and higher-protein option that keeps meatballs tender and nutritious.
• Toast oregano and garlic powder briefly in the skillet before mixing into the chicken mixture to unlock more intense, aromatic Mediterranean-style flavors.
• Batch cook meatballs ahead and freeze in portion-sized containers for up to 3 months, allowing swift assembly of these delicious bowls on busy weeknights.
• Swap chicken for ground turkey or plant-based alternatives like crumbled tofu for vegetarian and diverse protein preferences without compromising taste profile.

Save BBQ Chicken Bowls Without Soggy Rice

• Store leftover chicken meatballs and orzo separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Let dishes cool completely before sealing to avoid condensation and potential sogginess.
• Keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum flavor and safety.
• Warm meatballs in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of chicken broth to retain moisture. Microwave orzo in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out.

Easy Additions for BBQ Chicken Cottage Bowl

• Flavor-Boosting Wine Pairing: Select a crisp, light white wine like Assyrtiko from Greece or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the zesty lemon and herb-infused chicken meatballs, cutting through the richness of feta and enhancing the Mediterranean flavors.
• Refreshing Beverage Match: Opt for a chilled Greek Mythos beer or a sparkling lemonade with fresh mint to balance the savory meatballs and provide a cool, citrusy contrast to the warm orzo dish.
• Herb-Infused Salad Companion: Create a simple Greek salad with mixed greens, red onions, and a light olive oil vinaigrette to add freshness and provide additional texture that perfectly matches the bowl's bright Mediterranean profile.
• Tangy Tzatziki Accent: Serve a small side of homemade tzatziki sauce with cucumber, dill, and Greek yogurt to add a creamy, cool element that complements the warm meatballs and enhances the overall dining experience.

BBQ Chicken Bowl With Easy Adjustments

• Gluten-Free Greek Meatballs: Replace breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to create a celiac-friendly version of the dish.
• Low-Carb Mediterranean Bowl: Swap orzo with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a keto-friendly alternative that maintains the Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Protein Option: Substitute chicken meatballs with chickpea or lentil meatballs, using similar Greek seasonings to keep the authentic taste intact.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use nutritional yeast instead of feta cheese and replace cottage cheese with coconut yogurt to accommodate dairy-sensitive diets while preserving the creamy texture.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of ground chicken for the meatballs?

Yes, ground turkey works perfectly as a substitute and will provide a similar texture and flavor profile to the Greek-style meatballs.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

No, the recipe contains breadcrumbs. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour as a replacement.

• How can I make the meatballs more moist?

Add a bit more egg or a tablespoon of Greek yogurt to the mixture to help keep the meatballs tender and prevent them from drying out during cooking.

• What if I don't have fresh herbs?

Dried herbs can be used as a replacement. Use about 1/3 of the amount of dried herbs compared to fresh herbs to maintain the right flavor intensity.

Quick Cottage Cheese BBQ Chicken Bowl Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent BBQ chicken dances with creamy cottage cheese in this flavor-packed bowl, promising a mouthwatering meal. Zesty spices and tangy sauce create a delightful blend you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Protein Base:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground chicken
• 1 egg

Seasoning and Herbs:

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Binding and Additional Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free)
• 2 tablespoons feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)

Pasta Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 2 cups chicken broth (or water)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1/2 lemon

Topping Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill or parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 small cucumber, diced
• Kalamata olives (optional)
• Extra lemon wedges

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Instructions

1. Craft the flavor-packed Greek chicken meatballs by thoroughly blending ground chicken with breadcrumbs, egg, crumbled feta, chopped parsley, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until uniformly mixed.
2. Shape the seasoned mixture into compact, uniform 1-inch spherical meatballs using gentle, consistent pressure.
3. Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, allowing the surface to become evenly heated before introducing the meatballs.
4. Carefully rotate the meatballs every few minutes, ensuring each side develops a golden-brown exterior and reaches complete internal doneness, approximately 8-10 minutes.
5. Simultaneously prepare the vibrant lemon orzo by bringing chicken broth to a rolling boil in a separate saucepan.
6. Submerge orzo into the boiling broth, cooking according to package guidelines until achieving an al dente texture, then drain excess liquid if necessary.
7. Without cleaning the pot, reduce heat to medium-low and introduce a drizzle of olive oil, quickly sautéing minced garlic until fragrant.
8. Reintroduce the cooked orzo to the garlic-infused pot, gently folding in bright lemon zest, tangy lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
9. Remove from heat and delicately incorporate crumbled feta and freshly chopped herbs, creating a creamy, aromatic base.
10. Compose the bowls by distributing the herbed lemon orzo as a foundational layer.
11. Artfully arrange the golden-brown Greek chicken meatballs atop the orzo.
12. Embellish with halved cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber chunks, and briny Kalamata olives.
13. Finish the dish with an additional sprinkle of feta, scattered fresh herbs, and a final bright squeeze of lemon juice.

Notes

• Swap ground chicken with ground turkey or plant-based alternatives for dietary flexibility.
• Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the meatballs celiac-friendly and reduce potential allergen issues.
• Toast breadcrumbs briefly before mixing to enhance their nutty flavor and improve meatball texture.
• Drain excess liquid from cottage cheese to prevent watery consistency in the final dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 640 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg