Description
Greek Chicken Meatballs with Lemon Orzo is a quick and easy Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring tender, flavorful chicken meatballs paired with bright, buttery lemon-infused orzo pasta. Perfect for busy weeknights or family meals, this wholesome recipe brings vibrant herbs, citrus, and savory richness together in one delightful plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 lb lean ground chicken
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
Lemon Orzo
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Optional Garnishes
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Additional fresh herbs (parsley or dill)
- Lemon zest
- Pinch of smoked paprika or sumac
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, fresh parsley, fresh dill, egg, panko breadcrumbs, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until all ingredients are evenly incorporated but avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
- Shape and Cook the Meatballs: Form the mixture into small, evenly sized meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the meatballs, turning occasionally, until golden brown all over and cooked through, approximately 10-12 minutes.
- Cook the Lemon Orzo: While the meatballs are cooking, bring the chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan. Add the orzo and cook until just tender, about 8-10 minutes. Drain if necessary, then stir in fresh lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil, salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for extra brightness.
- Assemble and Serve: Plate a portion of lemon orzo topped with a generous serving of warm chicken meatballs. Garnish with crumbled feta cheese, additional fresh herbs, and lemon zest if desired. For extra flavor and color, sprinkle with smoked paprika or sumac.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the meat to keep meatballs tender.
- Use a cookie scoop or spoon for uniform meatballs for even cooking.
- Fresh parsley and dill elevate the authentic Greek flavor.
- Opt for organic lemons if possible for better zest and juice flavor.
- Cook orzo al dente to hold texture alongside juicy meatballs.
- Store meatballs and orzo separately to prevent sogginess.
- Reheat meatballs gently with olive oil; reheat orzo with splash of broth or water.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Greek chicken meatballs, lemon orzo, Mediterranean chicken recipe, healthy chicken meatballs, lemon pasta, easy weeknight dinner