Greek Chicken Meatballs
These Greek Chicken Meatballs are incredibly easy to make and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Pair these juicy meatballs with a big dollop of creamy homemade tzatziki and a side of fresh vegetables!
If you are looking for a fresh, healthy dinner idea that the whole family will love, this Greek chicken meatballs recipe is a total game-changer. Packed with vibrant Mediterranean flavors, this easy ground chicken meatballs recipe comes together from scratch in just 30 minutes, making it the absolute perfect choice for a quick weeknight meal.
The real magic happens when you pair these juicy baked chicken meatballs with a creamy, homemade tzatziki sauce! It takes the entire dish to the next level and makes it the ultimate protein base for building fresh, vibrant Greek bowls or a custom chicken bowl for weekly meal prep.
Why You’ll Love these Greek Chicken Meatballs
Quick and Easy – This recipe is easy to make for all cooks of all skill levels. All you need to do is make the meatball mixture, bake the meatballs, and serve them with your favorite sides!
Meal Prep Friendly – These meatballs can be made in advance and can be stored well, which is ideal for meal prep.
Healthy Meal – Rich in protein, vegetables, and healthy fats.
Packed with flavor – The fresh herbs and spices make the meatballs full of flavor.
Key Ingredients
This simple dinner recipe uses readily available ingredients.
Ground chicken – these meatballs are made with lean ground chicken, but you could also use ground pork, lamb or beef.
Fresh Herbs – herbs like fresh mint are traditionally used in Greek cuisine. For this recipe, you’ll need fresh parsley and mint.
Lemon – Adds brightness to the meatballs.
Spices – I used spices like ground cumin, chili flakes, and oregano. These spices will give your meatballs extra flavor.
Garlic – freshly minced garlic is essential for this recipe!
Egg – Eggs serve as the essential binder in meatballs, locking in natural juices while keeping the chicken incredibly tender instead of dense.
Onion – finely chopped onion provides a sharp, savory bite and essential moisture.
Tzaziki sauce – cucumber and tangy yogurt give your meatballs a refreshing Mediterranean finish.
Substitutes
Fresh Herbs – If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs instead, like dried parsley or dried thyme.
Protein – you can swap ground chicken for ground turkey, pork, or lamb.
How to make Greek Chicken Meatballs
Take a look at the step-by-step photos below for a visual guide to the process. You’ll find the complete written recipe along with helpful tips in the recipe card further down the page.
Step 1 – Grate the cucumber, sprinkle it lightly with salt, and place it inside a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Squeeze firmly to wring out the excess moisture, then transfer the drained cucumber to a bowl and stir in the Greek yogurt, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Step 2 – Add the Ingredients for the meatball mixture to a bowl and use your hands to mix until well combined.
Step 3 – Form the meatballs with wet hands or a cookie dough scoop and place on a baking sheet. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm the meatballs.
Step 4 – STOVE TOP METHOD: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the meatballs. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until browned, and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. You may need to work in batches to prevent overcrowding.
OVEN METHOD: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each one, and bake for 15–20 minutes until they are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Step 5 – Arrange the meatballs on romaine lettuce with cucumber, tomato, red onion, and herbs. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over the salad and serve with tzatziki sauce.
From my Kitchen (Chef’s Notes)
Use Oil for Easy Rolling Ground chicken can be quite soft and sticky, making it tricky to shape. To solve this, simply rub a little oil on your hands before rolling—the meat mixture will glide right off your palms!
Chill the Mixture First Place the meatball mixture in the fridge or freezer for 30 minutes before forming. Keeping the meat cold firms it up significantly, making it much less sticky and far easier to handle.
Don’t Overmix the Meat Handle the mixture gently and stop mixing the moment the ingredients are combined. Overworking the ground chicken will cause the proteins to break down, resulting in dense, heavy meatballs instead of light and tender ones.
What to Serve with Greek Chicken Meatballs
Pita Bread – Slide these juicy meatballs inside a warm, fluffy pocket of pita bread for the ultimate effortless sandwich. Top it off with a handful of crisp greens and a drizzle of sauce for a handheld Mediterranean meal that is perfect for busy weeknights.
Ginger Rice – For a cozy and aromatic base, serve your meatballs over a steaming bowl of fragrant ginger rice. The subtle, warm spice of the ginger beautifully cuts through the savory poultry flavors, tying the whole grain bowl together perfectly.
Fresh Summer Salad – Keep things incredibly light and vibrant by pairing the dish with a crisp tomato salad or a creamy cucumber salad. The refreshing crunch of seasonal vegetables balances the warm, baked protein and brings an instant burst of summer freshness to your plate.
Cooking Methods
Air Fryer – Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F. And place meatballs in the air fryer basket. Make sure they aren’t touching and cook for about 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
Frying Pan – Heat a bit of oil in a frying pan over medium-high and add the meatballs. Fry for 5 minutes on each side until browned and the internal temperature reaches 165 degres F.
Baked in the Oven – I used this method for this recipe. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees F. For around 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
How to Store & Reheat
Storage – Refrigerate any leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3–4 days. For optimal freshness, store the chicken, grains, and vegetables in separate containers until you are ready to assemble and serve.
Freeze cooked meatballs – Once your meatballs are cooled completely, place them in a bag and place them in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.
Reheat frozen meatballs – Defrost the meatballs in the fridge overnight before reheating. Once defrosted, place on a baking sheet and cover with foil. Reheat in the oven at 300 degrees F for around 10-15 minutes.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Place raw meatballs on a baking sheet and place in the freezer for 1 hour. Add then to a bag and place in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.
Sure! This recipe is suitable for meal prep. Store the cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store the salad and tzaziki sauce in seperate containers.
Other Healthy Chicken Recipes to Try
Greek Chicken Meatballs
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare the Tzaziki Sauce. Grate the cucumber, sprinkle it lightly with salt, and place it inside a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Squeeze firmly to wring out the excess moisture, then transfer the drained cucumber to a bowl and stir in the Greek yogurt, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, and a drizzle of olive oil. Season with salt and ground black pepper.
- Prepare the meatball mixture. Add the Ingredients for the meatball mixture to a bowl and use your hands to mix until well combined.
- Form the meatballs. Form the meatballs with wet hands or a cookie dough scoop and place on a baking sheet. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm the meatballs.
- Cook the meatballs (OVEN METHOD). Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each one, and bake for 15–20 minutes until they are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Cook the meatballs (STOVE TOP METHOD). Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the meatballs. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until browned, and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. You may need to work in batches to prevent overcrowding.
- Prepare the Greek salad. Divide the lettuce leaves, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and crumbled feta cheese into 4 bowls or plates. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
- Arrange the meatballs. Arrange the meatballs on the Greek salad and serve with tzatziki sauce.
