Zesty Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Herb Orzo

Recipe Introduction

Ever feel like you're in a culinary rut? Me too! Honestly, that's why I'm so excited to share this recipe for Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo .

It's like a little holiday on a plate, full of sunshine and flavour.

Zesty Flavours: The Heart of Greek Cooking

This isn't your average meatball recipe. It's a Mediterranean Chicken Meatball Recipe that sings with vibrant Greek Flavors . Think fragrant herbs, bright lemon, and juicy Greek Chicken .

It's a true taste of the islands!

Quick Bite: Sunshine on a Plate

The Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo is a total crowd-pleaser. It's inspired by traditional Greek Lemon Chicken Orzo Recipe , but with a fun meatball twist! It's ready in under an hour, perfect for a weeknight Delicious Family Dinners or a relaxed weekend lunch.

This recipe serves about 4-6 people.

Why You'll Love This Dish

These Easy Chicken Meatballs with Orzo are not just delicious, they are good for you too! Lean chicken is packed with protein, and the fresh herbs and lemon are bursting with antioxidants.

It's a complete meal that fits right into your Healthy Greek Dinner Ideas . I had to add a recipe with that lemon aroma.

It's the perfect dish to bring some sunshine into your kitchen.

Now, let's get down to the ingredients, shall we? I guarantee you will feel in Athenas after just one bite!

Zesty Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Herb Orzo Recipe Card

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Preparation time:25 Mins

Cooking time:30 Mins

Servings:4-6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (454g) ground chicken (preferably thigh meat for flavour)
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup (50g) panko breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup (approx. 30g) finely chopped red onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil, plus more for browning
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) chopped fresh oregano
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) chopped fresh mint
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
• 1 cup (approx. 190g) orzo pasta
• 2 cups (475 ml) chicken broth (low sodium)
• ¼ cup (60 ml) lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter, unsalted
• ¼ cup (approx. 15g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) chopped fresh dill
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Instructions:

• Prepare the Meatball Mixture: Gently combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl, being careful not to overmix. Chill for at least 10 minutes.
• Shape the Meatballs: Roll the mixture into approximately 1-inch meatballs.
• Brown the Meatballs: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides. Remove from pan and set aside. They don't need to be cooked through completely.
• Cook the Orzo: In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add orzo and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Simmer the Orzo: Add chicken broth to the orzo and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed.
• Finish the Orzo: Stir in lemon juice, butter, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and dill. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Combine and Finish Cooking: Gently nestle the browned meatballs into the orzo. Cover and cook until the meatballs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), about 5-7 minutes.
• Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with lemon wedges if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:450-500

Fat:20-25g

Fiber:2-3g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:Greek

Ingredients & Equipment for Zesty Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Herb Orzo

Right then, fancy whipping up some Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo ? It's easier than you think! We’re talking Delicious Family Dinners sorted in under an hour! Let's get the lowdown on what you'll need.

Honestly, you'll be transported to a sun-drenched Greek taverna in no time!

Main Ingredients - The Building Blocks

Okay, so for the Greek Chicken bit (the meatballs, naturally!), you'll need:

• 1 lb (454g) ground chicken . Thigh meat's best for flavour, trust me.
• 1 large egg . Size matters – large, I say!
• ½ cup (50g) panko breadcrumbs . These give a lovely, light texture.
• ¼ cup (approx. 30g) finely chopped red onion . Adds a bit of bite.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced . Don't skimp on the garlic!
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil , plus extra for browning. Proper stuff, now.
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) chopped fresh oregano . Essential Greek Flavors right here!
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) chopped fresh mint . Adds a bit of freshness, it does.
• 1 teaspoon dried dill . More Greek Flavors here, no doubt!
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin . A touch of warmth.
• ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper . Seasoning is king!

For the Lemon Orzo , here’s what you'll need:

• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil .
• 1 cup (approx. 190g) orzo pasta . Looks like rice, but it's pasta!
• 2 cups (475 ml) chicken broth (low sodium). Stock up on the stock.
• ¼ cup (60 ml) lemon juice , freshly squeezed. Bottled stuff just won’t cut it. Freshness overload!
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter , unsalted. Adds richness.
• ¼ cup (approx. 15g) grated Parmesan cheese . A bit of cheesy goodness.
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) chopped fresh parsley .
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) chopped fresh dill .
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Lemon wedges, for serving (optional).

Right, quality. For the chicken, make sure it's pink, not grey. Smell it, too. It should smell fresh, you know? Fresh herbs are key, too – bright green, not wilted.

Seasoning Notes - The Flavour Symphony

Essential spice combo? Oregano, mint, and dill are your Greek Flavors dream team. For flavour enhancers, a squeeze of lemon juice brightens everything up.

Cumin adds warmth and depth. If you don't have fresh herbs, use dried – just halve the amount. Remember that.

Mediterranean Chicken Meatball Recipe depends on it!

Equipment Needed - The Tools of the Trade

You won't need loads of fancy kit for these Easy Chicken Meatballs with Orzo .

• Large bowl – for mixing the meatballs.
• Medium saucepan – for the Lemon Orzo .
• Large skillet or frying pan – for browning those meatballs.
• Measuring cups and spoons – gotta be precise!
• Citrus juicer – squeezing those lemons is hard work otherwise!
• Microplane or grater – for the Parmesan.
• Wooden spoon or spatula – for stirring and flipping.

If you don't have a skillet, a frying pan works just as well. No citrus juicer? Just squeeze the lemon really hard, innit?

Honestly, that's all there is to it. Get your ingredients and equipment sorted, and you're halfway to a cracking Healthy Greek Dinner Ideas .

Greek Lemon Chicken Orzo Recipe is at your reach!. Now, let's get cooking!

Zesty Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Herb Orzo : OPA!

Fancy a trip to the Med? Forget the plane ticket! These Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo bring the sunshine to your kitchen.

Honestly, delicious family dinners don’t get much easier than this.

Prep Like a Pro for Mediterranean Chicken Meatball Recipe

First, the mise en place , darling! Chop your red onion, mince that garlic, and get those fresh herbs measured.

This is your secret weapon. Trust me, having everything ready saves time and stress. As my Nan used to say, "A tidy kitchen is a tidy mind!".

A little bit of organisation goes a long way.

From Bowl to Plate: The Simple Steps

1. Mix ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, red onion, garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil, oregano, mint, dill, cumin, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Don't overmix! Just gently combine. Pop it in the fridge to chill for 10 minutes .
2. Roll into 1-inch meatballs.
3. Brown the meatballs in a skillet with olive oil over medium heat. It takes about 7- 10 minutes .
4. Toast 1 cup of orzo in a saucepan with olive oil for 1- 2 minutes , stirring constantly. Watch it, it burns fast!
5. Add 2 cups of chicken broth. Boil, then simmer for about 10 minutes , until the orzo's cooked.
6. Stir in lemon juice, butter, Parmesan, parsley, and dill. Season it up!
7. Nestle those meatballs into the orzo. Cover and cook until the meatballs reach 165° F ( 74° C) , around 5- 7 minutes .
8. Serve with lemon wedges. Opa!

Pro Tips for Lemon Herb Chicken Meatballs

Avoid overmixing those meatballs! It makes them tough. Toasting the orzo? Game changer for flavor, but watch it carefully! It burns quicker than you think.

And use fresh herbs, seriously. They make a massive difference, adding real Greek flavors . For a great Healthy Greek Dinner Ideas , you can't go wrong with these.

For a Greek Lemon Chicken Orzo Recipe , these Easy Chicken Meatballs with Orzo , are a perfect choice. Let me know how you get on!

Recipe Notes for Zesty Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Herb Orzo: OPA!

Right, let's talk shop about these Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon . Making them is one thing, but making them perfect ? That's where these little notes come in.

I want you to avoid my past mistakes. Honestly, my first batch was a disaster. Too salty.

Serving Suggestions: Plating Like a Pro

Okay, so you've made your Mediterranean Chicken Meatball Recipe and it smells divine. Now, let's make it look the part.

A bit of fresh parsley sprinkled on top is a must. A dollop of Greek yogurt, maybe with a drizzle of olive oil? Fancy! I personally love serving it alongside a simple Greek salad.

A glass of chilled white wine, like Assyrtiko, is the perfect finishing touch. Think summer in the Med.

Storage Tips: Keeping It Fresh

So, you've got leftovers? No worries! Pop those bad boys into an airtight container and they'll be grand in the fridge for up to 3 days .

To reheat, a quick zap in the microwave or a gentle simmer on the stovetop will do the trick. For freezing, I'd recommend freezing the meatballs and orzo separately, as the orzo can get a bit mushy after thawing.

This Easy Chicken Meatballs with Orzo recipe reheats well!

Variations: Mix It Up!

Fancy a bit of a change? Let's do it! If you're looking for a vegetarian option, swap out the chicken for lentils.

Or for a bit of a different flavour profile, you could try using some crumbled feta cheese. And for seasonal swaps, why not try using courgette or aubergine instead of red onion in the meatballs in the summer months? Also, if you want to skip the orzo all together you can serve these Lemon Herb Chicken Meatballs with some roasted vegetables, or even on their own as part of a meze platter.

I had some one time with couscous, very delicious!

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in Every Bite

These Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon are relatively healthy and give you the goodness of lean protein, complex carbs, and lots of vitamins! Each serving (estimates) delivers around 450-500 calories.

Plus, it's packed with protein (30-35g) and those wonderful Mediterranean herbs. It makes the most mouthwatering and Delicious Family Dinners and it’s great for the whole family.

Right then, go on and give this Greek Lemon Chicken Orzo Recipe a go! It's easier than you think, and the results are proper lush.

Don't be afraid to experiment and make it your own. And most importantly, have fun! Let me know how you get on.

OPA!