Description
Mediterranean flavors dance through this “zesty lemon orzo with Greek-style chicken meatballs” recipe, bringing sunshine to your plate. Juicy herbed meatballs nestled in creamy orzo create a simple yet elegant meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground chicken
- 1 egg
Meatball Seasonings and Binding:
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth (or water)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish and Toppings:
- 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
Instructions
- Blend ground chicken with fragrant herbs, crumbled feta, and pantry seasonings in a mixing vessel, kneading thoroughly until ingredients harmonize.
- Craft uniform spherical morsels, gently rolling chicken mixture between palms to create consistent one-inch diameter meatballs.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet, establishing medium thermal intensity for optimal searing conditions.
- Position meatballs strategically within heated pan, allowing each side to develop a golden, caramelized exterior through periodic rotation.
- Monitor cooking progression, ensuring internal temperature reaches complete doneness through careful eight to ten-minute roasting process.
- Transfer perfectly cooked meatballs onto a clean platter, preserving their succulent texture and delectable Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile while preparing accompanying elements.
- Allow meatballs to rest momentarily, concentrating their rich, herbaceous essence before integrating with complementary dish components.
Notes
- Substitute gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe celiac-friendly and maintain the meatballs’ perfect texture.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to boost the zesty flavor profile and create a subtle heat in the chicken meatballs.
- Pat the ground chicken dry before mixing ingredients to prevent soggy meatballs and ensure a crispy exterior when cooking.
- For a lighter version, bake meatballs on a parchment-lined sheet at 400°F for 15-18 minutes instead of pan-frying, reducing overall oil content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg