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Greek Chicken Meatballs and Lemon Orzo

A flavorful, easy, and satisfying dish featuring juicy Greek chicken meatballs served with creamy lemon orzo.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 lb Ground chicken You can use a mix of thighs and breasts for added flavor.
  • 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs Keep the meatballs tender.
  • 1/2 cup Feta cheese, crumbled Adds creaminess and flavor.
  • 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped Fresh herbs are recommended.
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced Enhances flavor.
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil For cooking the meatballs.
  • 1 tbsp Oregano Traditional Greek flavor.
For the Lemon Orzo
  • 1 cup Orzo pasta Rice-shaped pasta, usually by spaghetti.
  • 1 lemon Juice and zest Essential for bright flavor.
  • 1/2 cup Plain yogurt Optional, makes it creamier.
  • 1 cup Water For cooking orzo.
Optional Sides
  • 1 cup Cucumber, diced For salad.
  • 1 cup Tomatoes, diced For salad.
  • 1 cup Broccoli or Snap peas Steamed green vegetables.
  • 1 cup Tzatziki sauce To complement the dish.

Method
 

Preparation of Meatballs
  1. Combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, feta, parsley, garlic, oregano, and olive oil in a bowl and mix well.
  2. Form the mixture into small balls and set aside.
Cooking Meatballs
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add meatballs to the skillet, browning on all sides.
  3. Optionally, place the skillet in the oven to finish cooking.
Preparing Orzo
  1. In a separate pot, cook orzo in salted boiling water until al dente.
  2. Before draining, reserve some pasta water for creaminess.
  3. Mix cooked orzo with reserved pasta water, lemon juice, lemon zest, and yogurt.
Assembly
  1. Combine meatballs and orzo in a serving dish, mixing gently.
  2. Serve with optional sides like cucumber-tomato salad and tzatziki sauce.

Notes

The meatballs can be made ahead of time and reheat beautifully. Perfect for meal prep. You can also freeze the meatballs for later use.