🥒 Greek Chicken Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce
📖 Description
These juicy Greek chicken meatballs are seasoned with herbs, garlic, and Parmesan, then pan-seared or baked until golden. Paired with a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce made from Greek yogurt, cucumber, and lemon, this dish is light, healthy, and full of Mediterranean flavors. Perfect as an appetizer, in pita wraps, or served over rice for a wholesome meal.
📝 Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb (450g) ground chicken
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs (or almond flour for low-carb)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh dill or mint (optional, traditional)
- Salt, to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
- Make the Meatball Mixture
- In a bowl, mix ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, garlic, egg, oregano, salt, and pepper until combined.
- Shape into small meatballs (about 1–1.5 inches).
- Cook the Meatballs
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Cook meatballs for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- Alternatively, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 18–20 minutes.
- Prepare Tzatziki
- In a bowl, mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and dill/mint (if using).
- Season with salt and chill until ready to serve.
- Assemble & Serve
- Serve meatballs warm with a generous dollop of tzatziki.
- Great with pita bread, rice, or salad.
💡 Notes & Tips
- For extra flavor, add lemon zest to the meatball mixture.
- Make sure to squeeze water out of cucumber to avoid watery tzatziki.
- Double the meatball recipe—they freeze well for up to 2 months.
- Swap chicken with ground turkey or lamb for variety.
🍽 Servings
- Makes about 16–18 meatballs, serves 4 people.
🔢 Nutritional Info (Per Serving, approx.)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Protein: 28g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fat: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 540mg
🌿 Benefits
- High-protein & low-carb meal, great for weight management.
- Greek yogurt adds probiotics for gut health.
- Fresh herbs and lemon bring antioxidants and vitamins.
- Versatile: serve as a snack, main dish, or in meal prep bowls.
❓ Q&A
Q: Can I make the tzatziki ahead of time?
A: Yes, store it in the fridge for up to 3 days for best flavor.
Q: Can I air-fry the meatballs?
A: Absolutely—cook at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes until golden.
Q: What can I serve with this dish?
A: Pita wraps, Mediterranean rice, couscous, or a fresh Greek salad are all perfect sides.
Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
A: Use dairy-free yogurt for tzatziki and omit the Parmesan in meatballs.