Description
Enjoy tender Greek chicken meatballs bursting with herbs and lemon, served over bright, lemony orzo for a delicious and wholesome meal, perfect for weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground chicken
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup finely chopped red onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, red onion, garlic, egg, parsley, oregano, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
- Gently mix until combined and form 1-inch Greek chicken meatballs.
- Place meatballs evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
- While meatballs bake, bring broth to a boil in a saucepan.
- Add orzo to the boiling broth and cook according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain orzo if needed, then return it to the pan.
- Stir in olive oil, feta cheese, fresh parsley, and lemon juice into the orzo.
- Season the lemon orzo with salt and pepper to taste and combine well.
- Serve the Greek chicken meatballs atop the lemon orzo.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or finely chopped nuts.
- Ground turkey can be used instead of chicken.
- Add fresh dill or mint for an extra herbal twist.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
- Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water or broth, or microwave with added liquid to prevent drying.
- Meatballs can be frozen separately for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking and Boiling
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: Greek chicken meatballs, lemon orzo, chicken keftedes, Mediterranean recipe, easy dinner, meal prep, herb chicken meatballs, baked chicken meatballs, lemon chicken meatballs, Greek recipe